Watch This Woman Make a Beautiful, Intricate Tutu

Ever wondered how those glorious ballet tutus are produced? Watch with your own eyes as one “pancake”-style creation takes shape.

The video comes via LA Weekly and accompanies a profile of seamstress Sara Bacon, who sews custom tutus for dance students. She describes the process:

“It’s engineered,” she says of the one-of-a-kind dresses. She begins by making a panty. From there, she builds tutus and makes bodices. Every costume must be a perfect fit. The dancers, she says, often want them as tight as possible. “I think they feel secure,” she says.

Her process is the same one used by seamstresses for the New York City Ballet and Royal Ballet, a series of techniques in use since the 1800s. The bodices are of cotton coutil, the same fabric used for corsets. “It’s very strong,” says Bacon. “It’s cotton, so it’s comfortable. It absorbs the sweat. It’s going to last a long time.”