Thread: pattern for this draped-thigh skirt?

cross post: the thread on vintage looking double slit circle skirts got me hankering for this other old style of skirt. suzanna del vecchio wore them a lot, so did some other dancers in the 80s/early 90s: check out her video of "return to the goddess": Belly Dance Videos by Suzanna Del Vecchio - best beginner's belly dance video

it looks like the bottom edges of the back part of the skirt have been drawn up and tucked, but they are actually sewn so there are no waistband to hem slits. the awesome thing about these skirts is they give you the yummy glimpse of thigh with no risk of raqs beaver when the front panel flies too far open when you spin, and they also don't reveal as much of your leg if they're less than perfect.

does anybody know how to make one of these skirts?

That is a three panel skirt. The front panel - 1/2 circle - is worn narrow. the ends of the back panel are tucked under the front panel and the belt. You may have to play with the placement of the ends tp get the exact effect you are looking for. The drape of the fabric creat the loop.

At least, that is how it appears to me.

{{HUGS}}}

they're not tucked. I've seen one of these skirts in person - the front panel is sewn to the back panel - the hem is continuous. the slit/drape only goes down to above the knee.

Love that skirt. What if you emailed her and asked?

I think the opposite thing is happening with "Moorish Princess". It doesn't seem to have a front panel, but the corners of the back panels snap to the belt to create the openings on the thighs: https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?...ish%20princess

Okay, this may be a weird way of doing it but what if the pattern of the skirt was in a square fashion and the top and bottom open seams? So you would hem the bottom and gather the waist at the top, in the middle. Hmmm, but you would need a bunch of fabric for this unless the sides were sewn in such a way as to create that drape.

I am glad you wrote this thread, I love these skirts. I would love to find one of those pearl costumes too - a vintage one.

Okay, I looked at this again and I have an idea how it is done, but I;ll have to bust out the drawing board / design stuff. It's done much the same way that they create swag valences for drapes. . .

Now it's time to do math. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Double post. . .

if I can remember when I saw that skirt... and if I can explain what I saw... ;)

it was like the bottom corner of the front panel (or the rear panel?) was brought up to the waistband, but somehow, instead of having a curved edge (the hem) draping down, it was straight (extra fabric) so it could be sewn to the edge of the back panel.

hmm.... I wonder if the back of the skirt is a half circle, and the front panel was left in a rectangle? make a short casing in the center of the rectangle, do the drapes, and then sew the raw edge to the selvage edges of the back panel? then hang it and trim the excess fabric from the hem? OR, maybe you make the drape and then sew the remaining selvage edge to the back panel?? that would have the front panel be more fluid...

and yeah, I should email her or get in touch with delilah. :) tahira - looking forward to your idea...

Yeah, Delilah might know because I think she makes or has made a lot of her costumes.

Is there some type of pattern available for this type of skirt? I have always wanted one too.

I have a vhs video with Aziza on it, it's from Leyla Jouvana, and she has this amazing skirt which looks like the one Suzanna is wearing. Why don't you give her a jingle and find out where she got hers?

Originally Posted by jewelsdances

I have a vhs video with Aziza on it, it's from Leyla Jouvana, and she has this amazing skirt which looks like the one Suzanna is wearing. Why don't you give her a jingle and find out where she got hers?

huh. how old is the video? what color is the costume? who does it look like it's by? I'll have to ask her when she's back from japan. thanks!