Thread: belt questions

i've tried the search but it doesn't seem to be working, so i'm sorry if this had already been addressed.

first, i was wondering if there were any "make a belt from scratch" tutorials out there... there's the bra-covering one but i have yet to see one for a belt that takes you through all the steps... and i'd really like one!

second, and rather unrelated.
how do you keep your belt in place? i mean, when you squat down or fold over at the waist or whatnot. i thought my belt was tight enough but when i did, the belt just slid up from my hips. am i wearing it too low, and the bottom edge of the belt should be just above the 'fold' between leg and torso? but i know a lot of dancers wear their belts pretty low, so that can't be it... is the belt maybe too stiff? should it be less stiff maybe... or maybe worn much tighter, but it's tight already and i don't see how making it tighter would help all that much?

third, there's a huge angle between the front and the back part of my belt. it's at almost 45° for it to lay flat against my back.... is that strange? or am i wearing it wrong?

I safety pin it to my undies....

Originally Posted by Kathiya

first, i was wondering if there were any "make a belt from scratch" tutorials out there... there's the bra-covering one but i have yet to see one for a belt that takes you through all the steps... and i'd really like one!

If video works for you, I really like Aziza Parker's "A Practical Guide to Making a Belly Dance Bra & Belt". It is only available on VHS as far as I know, but it really, really walks you through how to make a belt and a bra. And her costumes are lovely (I'll never sell mine, even though none of them fit anymore/right now!!!:broken_heart:)

Reviews: L'Aziz ~ Lauds & Laurels

Monica, that sounds great, but i don't have a VCR (nor TV, for that matter) so it's not gonna help me much... :(

aren't there any online tutorials?

You need this:

The Costume Goddess Tells All
Book #3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers

Originally Posted by Kathiya

i was wondering if there were any "make a belt from scratch" tutorials out there... there's the bra-covering one but i have yet to see one for a belt that takes you through all the steps... and i'd really like one!

Thanks for asking Kathiya, as I was wondering the same thing. I wandered through youtube and found nothing.

Hopefully someone will make such a tutorial. If mine looks any good at all when I'm done (it's my first), I'll post one.

dang, double post, sorry

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

Thanks for asking Kathiya, as I was wondering the same thing. I wandered through youtube and found nothing.

Hopefully someone will make such a tutorial. If mine looks any good at all when I'm done (it's my first), I'll post one.

sweet, i'm looking forward to seeing it! :)

Nadya's sewing Instructions: Belt

I found this site very useful, it is in German and english, loads of useful pages on costume making.

*Firefly, you're my she-roe!*

I wonder what she means by "strong hollow back." Does that mean a curved-in back? I have that, but that's not where my belt will ride.

Based on the pics here, do y'all think I should make the belt wider in the back? I'm suspecting I should. (And delaying cutting the real one out!) (Procrastinator!)





And presumably, some darts at the bottom for the curve of the butt. This is a two-piece side-lace belt.

Originally Posted by firefly5

Nadya's sewing Instructions: Belt

I found this site very useful, it is in German and english, loads of useful pages on costume making.

oooh, that's good, thank you!!