Thread: Pattern for Melaya leff dress

I searched and I don't think anyone has asked this yet.......

I am looking for a Melaya leff dress. I don't want to buy one because I want to use an interesting material I have found.

I have not found a pattern for melaya leff. If one is out there, please let me know! But I didn't find one so I assume there isn't one.

I've been searching McCalls and Vogue for a dress that I could adapt.....just add ruffles/make asymmetrical. But I haven't found one yet.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Would something like this do it?

VoguePatterns - F0120 - Marfy Dress (see style F1120 for tunic) - 0120

Look at Burda patterns. Another possibility would be a flamenco dress pattern from Folkwears patterns. Just make the skirt shorter.

That is a good idea! I didn't think of the flamenco pattern. Figures! I used to have that but sold it!
I'll check out Burda now....

This is the 3rd or 4th forum about Melaya Leff I've seen in the past 2 days. There must be a fever in the air!

BDF

There must be! When I searched to be sure this had not been discussed, I noticed ALOT on melaya leff lately! Must be something in the air!

I found this skirt tutorial on Craftster months ago, http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=3905.0
and have been looking for the perfect excuse to make one like it-

Here's a beautiful flamenco folkwear pattern to play with: Folkwear Pattern #140

and she will make a pattern to fit you : http://www.flamencreaciones.com/patterns/

Meleya dress question- I've seen with and without a ruffle going across the asymetrical top- which is better (traditional)? and the skirt length? does it need to cover knees/ one knee?

Originally Posted by cheerybelly

Meleya dress question- I've seen with and without a ruffle going across the asymetrical top- which is better (traditional)? and the skirt length? does it need to cover knees/ one knee?

It's okay either with or without the ruffle across the top. It just depends on which look you like better.

Skirt really should cover the knees. If you really must expose one knee, don't go any higher up on the thigh.

Remember, this is a dance about the kind of woman who would wear a modesty wrap when she goes out in public. Although some artistic license is acceptable for stage, there are limits on things like how high the hemlines should go.

Thanks Shira!

Originally Posted by cheerybelly

and she will make a pattern to fit you : Sewing patterns for flamenco dresses and flamenco skirts | Flamencreaciones

Thanks for the link to that site. Liked the tutorial on sleeves. Very helpful.

just to add to the fun - for some other ideas beyond the traditional asymmetric ruffle dress, consider taking a look at orit's (from israel) extensive photo gallery - she's got some super cute dresses that I assume are for beledi/melaya leff. I haven't been there for a while, but it seems to me there was a number in gingham, and another sassy one with sequin lips appliques across the hip. adorable.

I found some really cute fabric that would make a very unique melaya leff....
Like this...
Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

And others....

I am heading over to Orit's web site now!

Originally Posted by CareyDances

There must be! When I searched to be sure this had not been discussed, I noticed ALOT on melaya leff lately! Must be something in the air!

Hey Carey! Sorry I haven't responded to your email about meleya dresses. I got busy. I was sketching it out and we can make one no problem. One shoulder or scoop neck. I don't need a pattern. Plus I bought a new machine that will make ruffles easier! ..g.:
Emailing you soon...

OHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!
*running to e-mail*

Originally Posted by CareyDances

Would something like this do it?

VoguePatterns - F0120 - Marfy Dress (see style F1120 for tunic) - 0120

I'm popping in after not bhuzzing for a quite a long time. I've been spending a lot of time sewing. I saw this discussion and I had to add my suggestions: stay away from Marfy unless you are an experienced sewist (or have a very good friend or relative who is an experiencd sewist). Marfy is an Italian line of sewing patterns and they do not include instructions on how to assemble the garment: you get an envelope of pattern pieces, and that is it ..c::

More tips: Find a picture of a Melaya lef dress and identify the elements that your costume has to have. Then look for a pattern that is designed for stretch fabrics that has these elements, or that you can easily add. You might want to modify a skating dress from KwikSew or Jalie (you will probably want to trace the Jalie pattern instead of cutting it out). Both Jalie and KwikSew design outfits for iceskaters, so they know how to design for people who move. Or you may end up lengthening the pattern for a top/blouse into a dress length.

An important thing to remember that many garment patterns are not designed to fit as closely as a dance costume. The difference between pattern measurements and a person's body measurements is called 'ease.' The ease on a regular t-shirt or dress is very different from the ease on a leotard or swimsuit (the ease on a swimsuit, leotard, or strapless top is usually negative--that is the measurements of the swimsuit or leotard are less than the measurements of the wearer). Non-stretch (woven) fabrics usually need more ease for the wearer to be able to move while wearing it. If you have your heart set on specific fabric, you can build your design around it.

Another suggestion is finding a good book from the library or look online for tips on how to sew knits or stretch fabrics. Sewing knits is not difficult (while you need a sewing machine that can sew zigzag, you do not need a serger/overlocker), but there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind. Most of all, take your time and have fun making it! ,r:;

Rose

When Alia Michele designed my first milaya dress, she use a Reda costume as inspiration and just adapted a simple dress with princess seams, making the hemline assymetrical and adding wonderful bias ruffles. It came out really well.

Can't wait to see your milaya dance! Let me know if you need any pointers!

This one is going to be basically a tight dress with a ruched asymmetrical hemline and 3 layers of short tight ruffles and a one-shoulder look. I bet she'll post pics when done. For this I am just going to cut it the same way I do all my folkloric dresses. Tight and hourglassy. No pattern needed.
I love sewing with stretch fabrics and I just bought a serger so it will be extra fun!

Agree on ease - when I made a sexy dress for myself recently, I made it two sizes too small based on the experiences I had had with previous dresses (where I followed the instructions and ended up with a giant sack). I bet there are a lot of cute "junior's" style dresses that could be changed to make them assymetrical and add a ruffle. I'll have to go through my pattern collection.

I have the pattern for and have made this dress - it seems like it would just need a few changes to work (change from one kind of assymetrical hem to another, add a ruffle, change the neckline?)... It was a very easy Simplicity pattern.

I swear I learn something every time I log into Bhuz!

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

This one is going to be basically a tight dress with a ruched asymmetrical hemline and 3 layers of short tight ruffles and a one-shoulder look. I bet she'll post pics when done. For this I am just going to cut it the same way I do all my folkloric dresses. Tight and hourglassy. No pattern needed.
I love sewing with stretch fabrics and I just bought a serger so it will be extra fun!

Of course I will post pictures!!!!!

I do want longer ruffles on mine, just to add a little flounce ..g.:

Originally Posted by Masouma

I'm popping in after not bhuzzing for a quite a long time. I've been spending a lot of time sewing. I saw this discussion and I had to add my suggestions: stay away from Marfy unless you are an experienced sewist (or have a very good friend or relative who is an experiencd sewist). Marfy is an Italian line of sewing patterns and they do not include instructions on how to assemble the garment: you get an envelope of pattern pieces, and that is it ..c::

More tips: Find a picture of a Melaya lef dress and identify the elements that your costume has to have. Then look for a pattern that is designed for stretch fabrics that has these elements, or that you can easily add. You might want to modify a skating dress from KwikSew or Jalie (you will probably want to trace the Jalie pattern instead of cutting it out). Both Jalie and KwikSew design outfits for iceskaters, so they know how to design for people who move. Or you may end up lengthening the pattern for a top/blouse into a dress length.

An important thing to remember that many garment patterns are not designed to fit as closely as a dance costume. The difference between pattern measurements and a person's body measurements is called 'ease.' The ease on a regular t-shirt or dress is very different from the ease on a leotard or swimsuit (the ease on a swimsuit, leotard, or strapless top is usually negative--that is the measurements of the swimsuit or leotard are less than the measurements of the wearer). Non-stretch (woven) fabrics usually need more ease for the wearer to be able to move while wearing it. If you have your heart set on specific fabric, you can build your design around it.

Another suggestion is finding a good book from the library or look online for tips on how to sew knits or stretch fabrics. Sewing knits is not difficult (while you need a sewing machine that can sew zigzag, you do not need a serger/overlocker), but there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind. Most of all, take your time and have fun making it! ,r:;

Rose

Yup, this one is over my head....right now! Eshta is the best and going to do it for me.

I was afraid of getting a pattern for a non-stretch dress and using lyca. I am so glad you brought that point up.

I think I will have to take a look at some ice staking patterns if I ever want to make myself a second dress!