Thread: First sewing project - patterns/help?

I've done "some" modifications and repairs to various things, but now I'm ready to attempt something from scratch. I bought some cheap but good looking fabric, and want to make:

1) Harem Pants for class practice. I hear they're ridiculously easy - sounds just about right! Is there a website somewhere with good directions, or should I buy a pattern (from...)?

2) If I have enough fabric left, a simple matching circle skirt. Ditto for directions...

3) Different fabric - I want to make some of those "held onto the upper arm with elastic sleeve fall things". I even grok how to make them (at least I think/hope so!) - but am not sure about what works well for proportions (and/or shape). Any ideas/assistance?

Simplicity 5359 has a great harem pant pattern. That's the one I always use. VERY easy. And . . . the pants are a nice width. Not too baggy, but not to slim either. Also . . . the crotch of the pants doesn't drag the floor. lol. For some reason when I buy premade harem pants the crotch hangs down really low . . . anyway, this pattern makes really nice, comfortable harem pants. And a few other nice goodies too. I've also made the skirt . . . it's nice as well. Nice and full. Simplicity has like 4 bellydance patterns. They are all good, but I really like 5359 the best! Good luck!

Here's a link to some patterns for you.
Simplicity Patterns for Sewing Projects

I like the harem pants pattern that comes with many of the BD Patterns for various things. I hate most of the BD Patterns, but their harem pants are great. If you can't find one, let me know and I'll trace one of mine out for you and send it to you. For the circle skirt, I highly recommend Shira's website on instructions. Both of the costume pieces you've chosen are relatively simple to make and a great place to begin making your own stuff.

Here's a link to Shira's page on how to make a circle skirt: How to Make a Belly Dance Circle Skirt - An Online Costume Pattern

Scheherezade imports has a selection of bellydance patterns. A few members have suggested these patterns. I have seen them on the Swap Meet, but they go oober fast! I have used Simplicity patterns as well. Check out the out of print section too, they should have some more.

Also, check out Dina the Costume Goddess on Shira.net. Ask the Belly Dance Costume Goddess: Camouflage for Jiggly Arms. It is on her jiggly arm section, but hey you don't need jiggly arms to wear arm bands. Scroll down to the bottom for how to make different types. I have made these for my classmates and they are pretty simple. Also here are some ideas, on how to keep them on. Obviously, you don't wear a bra, but I bet you can attach them to a top just the same. Dina's Bellydance Costume Galleries

If you haven't sewn anything from scratch before, I'd definitely recommend buying a pattern. Harem pants and circle skirts are easy enough to make, but it's helpful to have step-by-step directions. Patterns also remind you of details that may not be obvious to people who haven't sewn before. (For example, it matters how you cut the pieces out of the fabric, and the pattern will have different layouts for different widths of fabric, and whether you can change orientation or if you have to cut everything out going the same grain direction.)

If you decide to buy a commercial pattern like Simplicity or McCall's, check the ads for your local fabric and hobby stores. Places like Hancock's and Hobby Lobby put their patterns on sale periodically, and you can get them at substantially cheaper prices that way.

If you have very limited sewing experience, I would suggest a sewing 101 class/workshop from a local community center or fabric store. Feeling comfortable with the basics on a machine, the terminology and the materials will really allow you to create some lovely things without sacrificing create fabric.

Checking on Shira's site is a great idea. She has lots of info on costume making and links for dancers that either sell patterns or costume making books...which are a fabulous investment.

I do not like the harem pants pattern for Simplicity 5359 "as is," because it calls for an interfaced yoke and a zipper, rather than an elastic waistband. The result looks nice and is less bulky at the top, but it is a royal pain in the @ss to do those extra steps. I wouldn't recommend that technique for a beginning sewer. (When I made these pants, I used a velcro closure in the back instead of a zipper, because I hate sewing zippers, and I figured it'd always be hidden under my hip swag anyway.)

At the same time, I do think that this pattern has just the right amount of fullness in the leg. Slightly pouffy, but not too pouffy and not too slim either. McCall's has a simpler harem pants pattern, but I found that one to be too narrow in the legs for my taste.

You're probably going to have to add length to the pattern anyway (I don't know how tall you are, but I'm 5'9" and I added a few inches at the "shorten or lengthen here" line on the Simplicity pattern), so you could just add two or three more extra inches at the top to allow for an elastic casing instead of a yoke.

This is the McCall's pattern with the narrow style harem pants, in case you're curious:
McCall's Bellydancer & Jester Pattern #2814 SZ SM-MD - eBay (item 300281212900 end time Jul-13-09 17:03:13 PDT)

As for a circle skirt, I agree with the above recommendations to use a pattern if you can. Simplicity has a pattern for a circle skirt (#2491). I have it, and I've cut it out, but I haven't used it yet, LOL. It looks very straightforward. If you're over 5'6" or so and you want something floor-length, though, this isn't going to be long enough as is. I believe I haven't made anything from the patten I have because I was trying to figure out the best way to add some length to it.

Here is the Simplicity pattern with the circle skirt:
New Belly Dance Costume SEWING PATTERN Bellydance Gypsy - eBay (item 120310859273 end time Jun-24-09 14:30:32 PDT)

Simplicity 3832. Simplicity Patterns for Sewing Projects

It has harem pants, skirts and hip scarves, vest, veil (19 pieces in total). I really like this harem pants pattern.

Sewing is one of those things that you learn by doing. Get thee to the nearest discount bin or to the broadcloth/lining shelf, buy some cheap yardage and have at it. (I tend to do that anyway with new patterns, esp. Burda. I mean seriously, how many pieces can you possibly break a garment into? *g*)

Good luck!

Thanx EVERYONE for your help. Shahla, you're a dear for offering to send me a pattern! Kemintiri, I have exactly the kind of fabric you describe - cheap!

Thanx to several for the heads up for tall dancers - I'm 6 foot even. I'm off to Simplicty and McCall's to have a peek!

I swear by Aziza's instructions:

Aziza Sa'id's FAQ - Costume Construction - Harem Pants

It's just math!

Originally Posted by Anjela

I do not like the harem pants pattern for Simplicity 5359 "as is," because it calls for an interfaced yoke and a zipper, rather than an elastic waistband. The result looks nice and is less bulky at the top, but it is a royal pain in the @ss to do those extra steps.

I made these pants before too with the yoke and zipper. They're fine, but it does take forever. I altered the pattern by adding a few inches to the top, which I roll over for elastic casing now. I also added a few inches to the bottom for some length. (I'm only 5 and half feet tall and the pants are too short for me!) By switching to elastic, these pants take less than an hour to make.

The vests in this pattern ran short too.

Dina Lydia the Costume Goddess has a whole book devoted to arm decorations, sleeves, etc..

Dina's Bellydance Costume Galleries

I like the Harem Pants instructions on Aziza Sa'id's site - and the circle skirt on Shira's. I'm really leaning towards just buying the pattern for my first though - I need all the hand holding I can get!

Originally Posted by zorba

I like the Harem Pants instructions on Aziza Sa'id's site - and the circle skirt on Shira's. I'm really leaning towards just buying the pattern for my first though - I need all the hand holding I can get!

My friend, the thing is that if you are not accustomed to reading sewing patterns, you may find the costume pattern confusing. Costume patterns from The Big 3 pattern makers are generally produced as cheaply as possible. They are not written for beginners. They skip steps and assume you know what they mean. And you've already had good advice here that the pattern should be adapted... which means a bunch of the instructions are wrong. .w.:.w.:

I really do recommend Aziza Sa'id's directions, but I ALSO recommend you make your first pair of harems out of some ugly old $1/yard fabric on the reject pile at the store. The first pair you make will tell you so much about length, fullness, et cetera, and then you can make the second pair just the way you like.

Originally Posted by Karnak

The vests in this pattern ran short too.

Yeah, I had to alter the vest pattern quite a bit before I got what I wanted.

Originally Posted by tigerb

I really do recommend Aziza Sa'id's directions, but I ALSO recommend you make your first pair of harems out of some ugly old $1/yard fabric on the reject pile at the store. The first pair you make will tell you so much about length, fullness, et cetera, and then you can make the second pair just the way you like.

I advocate using bedsheets! Especially if you have an Ikea nearby; their sheets are very nice, even the $2 ones. I love to make costume pieces for the Renaissance Festival out of Ikea's "Vila" bedsheets, because they're cheap, the fabric is 100% cotton and breathes well, it's really soft, and it's meant to stand up to lots of washings. :)

IKEA | Bedlinen | Sheets & pillowcases

Originally Posted by Anjela

I advocate using bedsheets! Especially if you have an Ikea nearby; their sheets are very nice, even the $2 ones. I love to make costume pieces for the Renaissance Festival out of Ikea's "Vila" bedsheets, because they're cheap, the fabric is 100% cotton and breathes well, it's really soft, and it's meant to stand up to lots of washings. :)

IKEA | Bedlinen | Sheets & pillowcases

You know I have these sheets in red. I don't like using them as bed sheets because I have cats and well the fur doesn't get removed well. ,f::

What an innovative way to change this so I don't have to have them sitting in the linen closet!