--- title: The Line Up Blog | Deb description: Resources for creative performance apparel that fuels your imagination and captivates your audience. --- - [Contact](http://thelineup.com/contact) - [About](https://www.thelineup.com/about) - [Sizing](http://thelineup.com/sizing) - [Fabrics](http://thelineup.com/fabrics) - [My Account](http://thelineup.com/account) - [My Cart](http://thelineup.com/cart) [![the line up](https://blog.thelineup.com/hubfs/2018.TheLineupTheme/logo.png "the line up")](https://www.thelineup.com/) - [Shop](http://thelineup.com/) - [Design](http://thelineup.com/services-design) - [Learn](http://thelineup.com/learn) - [Inspire](http://thelineup.com/inspire) . # [Blog](https://blog.thelineup.com/) ## Deb ### Recent Posts ## [Our Foray Into Making Face Masks - and What You Can Do Next](https://blog.thelineup.com/fabric-face-masks) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Mar 29, 2020 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **![Fabric face masks by The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_Blog-Images/MASKS-SM.jpg?width=900&name=MASKS-SM.jpg)** *This post is written by our owner, Deb Erickson, in conjunction with her daughter, Trista Erickson.  We post this not as medical professionals, but as a small apparel manufacturer looking to help our community in any way in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis.  Click through the links below to reference all original articles for further reading.  * [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/fabric-face-masks) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/fabric-face-masks#comments-listing) Topics: [Life at The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/life-at-the-line-up) ## [Costume Planning: The Best Dance Costume Options for Your Time Frame](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-best-dance-costume-options-for-your-time-frame) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Oct 5, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![The Best dance costume options for your time frame](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_Blog-Images/Baron_11.jpg?width=640&name=Baron_11.jpg "The Best dance costume options for your time frame") Planning for your performance requires thought, preparation and plenty of time.   Your artistic expression starts with selecting the theme and music, which is then complimented with the perfect dance costume.  It takes time to find the right look, make sure it flatters everyone, *and* arrives in plenty of time for your first dance competition.  This is not an overnight endeavor!    If you are ready to get serious about ordering your dance costume, one piece of advice we can offer is this: **the key is to plan ahead!**  Dance costumes have a surprisingly long lead time, up to 18 weeks depending on the time of year or option you choose!  Whether you are in a crunch or are thinking ahead, here are some great options for dance costumes based on your planning schedule! [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-best-dance-costume-options-for-your-time-frame) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-best-dance-costume-options-for-your-time-frame#comments-listing) Topics: [Costume Design Resources](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/costume-design-resources), [Planning Tips](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/planning-tips) ## [The Line Up Got a Makeover!](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-line-up-gets-a-makeover) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Jun 9, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)  ![All_Staff_-_June_2016-edit.jpg](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_Blog-Images/All_Staff_-_June_2016-edit.jpg?width=1024&name=All_Staff_-_June_2016-edit.jpg) Once upon a time, [The Line Up](http://thelineup.com/index.php/) was one person (a much younger and more energetic me, Deb Erickson) scurrying about patterning, cutting, sewing, and discovering ways to make you look great. Today, The Line Up has evolved into a team of 40+ individuals!  I  am constantly amazed when I watch our powerful and talented talent group work together to create fashion forward performance apparel for you.  Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary, and it was a time to reflect on who we are and where we are going.  We had so many questions!  And as we answered these questions  as we matured to the age of 26 - **we decided it was time for a makeover!** Let me tell you about our new brand! [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-line-up-gets-a-makeover) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/the-line-up-gets-a-makeover#comments-listing) Topics: [Life at The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/life-at-the-line-up) ## [Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders:  The First Day as a Professional Cheerleader!](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/28/philadelphia-eagles-cheerleaders-the-first-day-as-a-professional-cheerleader/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Apr 28, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![IMG_0143](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4258495700-jpg/blog-files/img_0143-1024x1024.jpg?width=1024&name=img_0143-1024x1024.jpg) Ever wonder what it's like to be a **professional cheerleader**? We're lucky enough to have been invited behind the scenes of a few NFL and NBA teams, and we've seen just how dedicated and hardworking these talented ladies are! We wanted to share their experience with you, so we're starting a new series here on the blog all about the life of a pro cheerleader! This week, we'll get an exclusive glimpse of the [Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders](http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/cheerleaders/index.html) and their first day on the job. [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/28/philadelphia-eagles-cheerleaders-the-first-day-as-a-professional-cheerleader/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/28/philadelphia-eagles-cheerleaders-the-first-day-as-a-professional-cheerleader/#comments-listing) Topics: [Life at The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/life-at-the-line-up), [Professional Cheer - NFL](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/professional-cheer-nfl) ## [Team Spotlight: Watertown, Wisconsin - Success is More than a Championship Title](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/07/watertown-wisconsin-success-is-more-than-a-championship-title/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Apr 7, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ###### ![The Varsity Team in their new warm ups](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4258492585-jpg/blog-files/image1-crop-1.jpg?width=1024&name=image1-crop-1.jpg) ###### The Varsity Team in their new warm ups We had a hunch there was something special about Watertown, Wisconsin. Especially when last spring [Watertown Blue Revue](http://www.watertownbluerevue.com/) ordered over 140 warm up jackets for youth dancers, parents, coaches *and* the Varsity Dance Team! We couldn’t help but wonder *what is behind that much team spirit?* So when Watertown High School won the Wisconsin Division 1 High Kick Championship this year, we knew it had to be a huge accomplishment for the team *and* their community.  [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/07/watertown-wisconsin-success-is-more-than-a-championship-title/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/04/07/watertown-wisconsin-success-is-more-than-a-championship-title/#comments-listing) Topics: [High School](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/high-school), [Dance](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/dance), [Team Spotlight](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/teamspotlight) ## [Top 6 Reasons Why We Love Working at The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/31/top-6-reasons-why-we-love-working-at-the-line-up/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Mar 31, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![25 Yr Group Pic](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4087059734-jpg/blog-files/25-yr-group-pic-1024x636.jpg?width=1024&name=25-yr-group-pic-1024x636.jpg) When I tell people that I own a custom costume company, often the reaction is *"Wow! That must be so fun!"* And while there is a lot of creativity and sparkle on the surface, what lies beneath is an amazing team of people that really feel like my extended family. I've tried hard over the last 25 years to make this a genuinely great place to work - a place where each person can find a place to be successful and do work that doesn't feel like work! A place that you can continually learn and invest in yourself! We have over 40 extraordinary individuals at our Minnesota facility, and we are always looking for more talent! One thing that makes The Line Up unique? We're like no other apparel business in that we do everything in house - from customer service to catalog creation to product design and manufacturing. There's an intimacy here that you can't always find in big business. **WANTED:** Talented individuals seeking a collaborative work environment, in a growing and improving community! If this is you, read further. Not only do we have some great new job opportunities , but our staff wants to share our company values - the 6 reasons why they love working at The Line Up: [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/31/top-6-reasons-why-we-love-working-at-the-line-up/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/31/top-6-reasons-why-we-love-working-at-the-line-up/#comments-listing) Topics: [Life at The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/life-at-the-line-up) ## [Team Spotlight: Faribault Emeralds, Early Planning Queens!](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/14/customer-spotlight-faribault-emeralds-early-planning-queens/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Mar 14, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![faribault high kick shadow costume by The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4087058139-jpg/blog-files/faribault-kick-2-cropped-2-1024x652.jpg?width=1024&name=faribault-kick-2-cropped-2-1024x652.jpg) Year after year, we have learned to expect a call from the same person immediately after the [Minnesota State High School Dance Competition](http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/activitypage.asp?actnum=464) season ends. This year was no exception! On the Monday following the state competition, Lois Krinke, coach of the [Faribault Emeralds Dance Team](https://www.facebook.com/Faribault-Emerald-Dance-Team-158253107890593/photos_stream), reached out to us ready to start thinking about her team's next dance costume! As always, she gets the early bird prize for planning well in advance for the 2016/2017 season. There was a time - years ago for those of us that can remember - when everyone recognized the Faribault team by their emerald green sequins and full skirts (which always included a **very full** white crinoline underskirt). Thankfully fashion changes, and this is no longer the case! The team excels in High Kick, where new ideas and unpredictability is essential to their success. Check out some of their costumes from past years, and see how their custom dance costumes have evolved: ![Faribalut Vintage full skirt dance costume](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4087058194-jpg/blog-files/vintage-uniform.jpg?width=640&name=vintage-uniform.jpg) [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/14/customer-spotlight-faribault-emeralds-early-planning-queens/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2016/03/14/customer-spotlight-faribault-emeralds-early-planning-queens/#comments-listing) Topics: [High School](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/high-school), [High Kick](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/high-kick), [Team Spotlight](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/teamspotlight), [Jazz, Lyrical, & Contemporary](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/jazz-lyrical-contemporary) ## [Team Spotlight: How the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders Perfected Their New Signature Uniform!](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/11/04/baltimore-ravens-new-uniform/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Nov 4, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders in new white 2015 uniform, The Line Up](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4161915438-jpg/blog-files/ravens_cheer_sep_27_2015-chherleaders1-1024x819.jpg?width=1024&name=ravens_cheer_sep_27_2015-chherleaders1-1024x819.jpg)](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4161915398-jpg/blog-files/baltimore-ravens-6-683x1024.jpg) Ever wonder what pro teams consider when designing a new uniform? Tina, director of the [Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders](http://www.baltimoreravens.com/ravenstown/cheerleaders/), had a few things in mind when she came to [The Line Up](http://thelineup.com/) needing a fresh, new look for her team. The ladies had been wearing the same uniform from The Line Up for several years, and were long overdue for something new and innovative! Changing their look was serious business, and the process took well over a year! Many pro teams want to ensure their uniform is unique to their team brand, to create their own "signature" look. Designing the Raven's uniform was a collaborative effort that involved a lot of discussion about goals, several design iterations, a couple different sample garments, approval from the Raven’s organization, and numerous tweaks along the way! So, how did they make it happen? Here's a sneak peek behind the design process:   [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/11/04/baltimore-ravens-new-uniform/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/11/04/baltimore-ravens-new-uniform/#comments-listing) Topics: [Behind the Design](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/behind-the-design), [Team Spotlight](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/teamspotlight), [Professional Cheer - NFL](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/professional-cheer-nfl) ## [The NFL’s Newest Cheerleader Coach: Tara Battiato of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/01/23/buccaneers-cheerleader-coach/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Jan 23, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Coach and Manager Tara Battiato](https://blog.thelineup.com/hs-fs/file-4085623294-jpg/blog-files/140914_mc_rams_bucs_0164-836x1024.jpg?width=320&name=140914_mc_rams_bucs_0164-836x1024.jpg "Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Coach and Manager Tara Battiato") [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/01/23/buccaneers-cheerleader-coach/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2015/01/23/buccaneers-cheerleader-coach/#comments-listing) Topics: [Cheer, Pom & Gameday](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/cheer-pom-gameday), [Professional Dance - NBA](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/professional-dance-nba), [Behind the Design](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/behind-the-design), [Professional Cheer - NFL](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/professional-cheer-nfl), [Rhinestones & Sparkle](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/rhinestones-sparkle) ## [New Tryout Fashions on Store](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2012/01/28/new-tryout-fashions-on-store/) Posted by [Deb](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb) on Jan 28, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Check out the web store. Everyday we are adding new tryout fashions to the store. Stay tuned, there is a lot more coming! Visit the store at [www.thelineupstore.com](http://www.thelineupstore.com) [Read More](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2012/01/28/new-tryout-fashions-on-store/) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thelineup.com/blog/2012/01/28/new-tryout-fashions-on-store/#comments-listing) Topics: [Tryouts & Auditions](https://blog.thelineup.com/tag/tryouts-auditions) [All posts](https://blog.thelineup.com/all) [Next](https://blog.thelineup.com/author/deb/page/2) ### What do you think? Add a comment below! 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