Thread: Tips on making an Egyptian-style cupped belt?

So I recently finished altering a newly-purchased costume, and apparently that limited sewing success has made me cocky, as now I have it in my head to make an Egyptian-style cupped belt for a homemade costume I've been working on for ages.

Talented seamstress I am not, but I'm tempted to give it a go nonetheless. I have Dawn Devine Brown's Costuming from the Hip, which describes the duct tape/T-shirt method for making a belt pattern. I'm a little confused by step 3, however, as it seems to suggest that you draw the shape of the belt on yourself before you cut off the tape. Hrm.

The book also recommends using interfacing, canvas/denim, and felt for the belt base.

WWBD? Does anyone use these techniques or have others to suggest? I'm open to ideas here!

Originally Posted by Ainsley

So I recently finished altering a newly-purchased costume, and apparently that limited sewing success has made me cocky, as now I have it in my head to make an Egyptian-style cupped belt for a homemade costume I've been working on for ages.

Talented seamstress I am not, but I'm tempted to give it a go nonetheless. I have Dawn Devine Brown's Costuming from the Hip, which describes the duct tape/T-shirt method for making a belt pattern. I'm a little confused by step 3, however, as it seems to suggest that you draw the shape of the belt on yourself before you cut off the tape. Hrm.

The book also recommends using interfacing, canvas/denim, and felt for the belt base.

WWBD? Does anyone use these techniques or have others to suggest? I'm open to ideas here!

In the past I've modeled cupped butt belts on others I have owned, but I plan to use the duct-tape method soon.

Yes, you should draw the basic shape you want on the tape prior to cutting it off. Once it is off a body you won't have as clear an idea of how the belt looks "on body" and it's easy to make a belt that is too low or too high. Draw the belt, cut the tape/shirt off the body, figure out the darts from there.

I've used felt and interfacing (skipped the canvas/denim) when making a cupped butt belt before. Instead of darting I cut the V7s out, butted them together, and joined them with a zig-zag stitch.

Since you are new to sewing, I would try purchasing a pre-made belt form for your first try. Sugar Petals is a great place to get one. Their belt form labeled style #5 "kismet" is a great place to start. It's a very wide belt, so you may want to trim it down a little before you start. First pin the belt around you, before covering with fabric and then simply fold darts into all the places where the belt doesn't cup your butt. It's best if you can have a friend help you with this, but I've done it myself before. It just takes a little longer. Once you've got it cupping your butt the way you like, sew down all the darts and then cover with fabric. Sugar Petals includes instructions on how to do that.

Sugar Petals Dance Bra & Belt Forms

I like Nadya's website at : Nadya's sewing hints for belly dance / oriental dance costumes;

I use quilted cotton as a base, cut darts and sew them with zig zag stiches.







Qamar

new costume?!! pics please! ;)

when I did my leopard costume I just rolled out the interfacing, cut the basic shape larger than I was looking for (based on the size of a belt I already had), and then measured/marked/cut the darts while it was on me. That way I could cut them and then pin them into exactly the right shape--I do have to say, I think I was incredibly lucky to get it right the first time. Maybe try it out with a piece of muslin first? That way you could have a "basic base" pattern to work from in the future

Originally Posted by ozma

Instead of darting I cut the V7s out, butted them together, and joined them with a zig-zag stitch.

Sorry for my ignorance, Ozma, but can you explain this a little further?

Shahla: I've had a look at the Sugar Petals belts, but, as it seems that you have to dart them yourself anyway, I'm not sure it would be much simpler than making one from scratch from a duct-tape form. It seems like it might be easier to get a good fit with the duct-tape method.

I'm not exactly terrible at sewing; I just haven't had much practice, so it takes me a long time. Not having a sewing machine also slows things down somewhat!

Qamar: Thanks so much for the images! That gives me a good idea of how I should be looking at placing the darts.

Najla: ..g.:

Originally Posted by Ainsley

Sorry for my ignorance, Ozma, but can you explain this a little further?

Shahla: I've had a look at the Sugar Petals belts, but, as it seems that you have to dart them yourself anyway, I'm not sure it would be much simpler than making one from scratch from a duct-tape form. It seems like it might be easier to get a good fit with the duct-tape method.

Najla: ..g.:

I think a picture is in here:
Ozma's Costumes's Photos - Farasha's Gold(Jul. 2007- Sep. 2007 ) | Facebook

Ozma, I usually use buckram, do you like felt better as a belt base material?

Originally Posted by Ainsley

Najla: ..g.:

oooh, I always liked those colors on you, since when you got that L. Rose set years ago!

ps, gotta love the on-campus architecture for photoshoots ;)

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Ozma, I usually use buckram, do you like felt better as a belt base material?

I haven't been able to find buckram in Japan, which is why I use interfaced felt.

(often my choices are based on limits in language and supplies here...Buckram is pronounced buckram, but I only find it in super large quantities through book binder sites here.)

Originally Posted by ozma

I haven't been able to find buckram in Japan, which is why I use interfaced felt.

(often my choices are based on limits in language and supplies here...Buckram is pronounced buckram, but I only find it in super large quantities through book binder sites here.)

Ah, I was wondering because I'm coming close to the end of my bolt of buckram and was wondering if I should switch to felt and interfacing when it runs out. I love the sturdiness of buckram, but if the felt/interfacing is strong enough but softer, it might be worth investigating.