Thread: Need help making costume from scratch

Hi everyone, I got myself in a bit over my head. I decided that I wanted to design my own costume (since I'm a near-broke college student that can't afford the pretty ones in the swamp meet ..cr.:)

So, if any of you can help me, I'm looking for any tips on making a beaded bra. Should you bead the cups then add lining, or is there a better technique?

Also, what is the best way to make cut-out shapes? It seems like if you cut the shape out you have raw edges that can fray and lose beads, but then, it seems if you line it, it would be way difficult to do, say, a flower (which is what I plan to do)

Thanks a bunch in advance!

The bra you buy should be too large for you because beading it will take up some of the fabric. This is especially true if you choose to line it in stiff interfacing (to help support the beadwork) in conjunction with the lining fabric. Replacing the straps is recommended as a beaded bra is much heavier and will need sturdy grosgrain ribbon straps (covered with fabric) to support the whole contraption. Covering the existing sides and back or replacing them is entirely up to you---if you cover only make sure you allow for stretch by stretching out the bra and cutting the fabric to fit it then.

The belt is tricky--take a pattern off of one that fits you well already, even it it's one you borrow from a friend just for that purpose. Use sturdy interfacing or buchram for the base as fringe weighs quite a bit.

Thrift stores are great for costume components---fugly formal dresses are great for covering bras and belt bases and you can find straight cut stretchy skirts that can be slit on one side. I've cut up stretchy dresses for the sleeves and skirt portions and decorated them.

Don't skimp on fringe...buy good quality if you can because wimpy fringe looks well, wimpy. Otherwise, buy your beads as cheaply as possible and make your own.

Good luck!

Welcome to costume-making! First, I need to say that often the costumes I make - even my very first - end up costing more than a basic set that I could buy.

Sit back, settle in, and check out the myriad of threads here on Bhuz that can answer many of your questions:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ry-2009-a.html(and the first post has links to previous "working on" threads)

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...learn-sew.html (in post #6 I gave links to many sewing threads)

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/business-b...-buisness.html in post #11 Souzan suggested several sites for inspiration for simple, yet classy, costuming)

There are many more, but those will get you started.

I'm sure some others will chime in here - we're so lucky to have so many talented, creative artists on Bhuz.

Good luck!

There are also some books by Dawn Devine Brown and Dina Lydia that describe how to make costumes. Reviews of them are on my web site at Reviews: Books, Videos, Music . I realize you're on a tight budget, but if you can afford Dawn's Embellished Bras or Dina's The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers you'll find that they help a lot.

Good luck with your project - it's ambitious, but there's something really satisfying about making your own!

if you don't have a belt form to copy
try Sugar Petals Dance Bra & Belt Forms
they have good belt forms. you must customize them a little.
used one for my first costume. worked great

When I started making my first costume I found this website invaluable:

Nadya's Nähtipps für orientalische Tanzkostüme, Bauchtanz;

(it's in German and English.)

I also have the Dawn Devine Brown and Dina Lydia books, and I didn't find them anywhere near as useful. I'd also recommend that you look carefully at professional costumes to see how there are made whenever you get the chance.

Unfortunately the best way to learn seems to be trial and error, the first few costumes I made were ok, but I'm making miles better ones now.
And by the time you factor in all the materials, beads, thread, fastenings etc you don't save a whole lot of money.

It is a fun and creative hobby though, I still recommend it.

There's also a great section about cutouts at Nadya's website.

Nadya's site sounds great, I may be totally missing something, but how do you switch it over to english?

Thanks all of you who responded, and feel free to keep posting suggestions! I haven't started it yet since I haven't gotten the sequins yet. (I live where they have nothing! ,f::)

Oh, and I should have mentioned that I an making a bra/ skirt combo, no belt, but in case I get brave enough to sit and try and do one of those, I'll keep those tips in mind.

I'm on a mission to make a professional (semi?) costume for the amount of money for a basic set (not including labor lol, otherwise...) So far so good.

Oh never mind! I did a google search for the same site and it poped up.

Or you can click on the union flag.

Ah! Makes sense!,r:;