Thread: My skirt is way too big

for all you seamstresses out there, how do I take a good 3 or 4 inches off the waist of my skirt?? Will I have to destroy the beading, etc? I am terrified to ruin a costume and I will probably have to sell it if there's no easy fix...

Can you take it to a local seamstress who does theatrical costuming, if there's no local belly dance costumer?

yes I will have to!! sigh. I am impatient and hate having to wait!

What is the style of the skirt? Fitted, beaded lycra? If you have a photo, that would help. You may be able to do some darts and take it in at the seams, but I really can't say without knowing what it looks like.

Also check at local dry cleaners for a seamstress recommendation. The dry cleaners closest to me actually has a seamstress on staff.

Start with trying elastic on the inside to pull it in more and hug your body. You may wish to put this elastic all around the high hip - but start with the sides, or the booty area. It's inside, so you won't be able to see it, but it can effectively pull in a costume. The elastic will create a gathered effect as you pull it tighter, but it might be enough to just frame the hip and not be gapped. It's tricky, and you may wish to have a friend who sews help you pull it in while it's ON your body so you have a decent fit.

Theatrical or medieval (SCA) costumer is another option. A person experienced with beading might even be able to carefully create a nipped in high hip adding small darts. Not for the beading phobic - especially if you have invested in your costume.

My two cents. Good luck!

Oh and one more thing - I wouldn't go to a dry cleaner seamstress with a bellydance costume unless they were recommended to me by another dancer or they are someone who deals in ornate - high end gowns (ie wedding, pageant) and can show you their work.

One mistake with the beading by an inexperienced seamstress and you have a ruined costume. Please be careful!

I sewed mine onto a pair of spandex boy shorts. It doesnt go any where without me now. First I wraped some no roll wide elastic about my hips for the right feel and fit. I then basted it it onto the skirt, leaving a bit of skirt sticking up over the elastic. Then I basted the whole affair onto the boy shorts. Nice stable fit without muffin top. I can shimmy till the cows come home and this thing aint goin anywhere. I now just step into the shorts and pull them up. Cement!

Laurie O-W. She'll be able to tell you if it's able to be done, even if you choose to do the work yourself and not have her do it. Or, of course, she'd be great at doing it, if it can be done. She's the best local seamstress and has a ton of experience with belly dance costumes and theatrical work. If she can't do it, then I'd say it can't be done.

Originally Posted by amarasdance

Laurie O-W. She'll be able to tell you if it's able to be done, even if you choose to do the work yourself and not have her do it. Or, of course, she'd be great at doing it, if it can be done. She's the best local seamstress and has a ton of experience with belly dance costumes and theatrical work. If she can't do it, then I'd say it can't be done.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Laurie is fantastic!

Originally Posted by amarasdance

Laurie O-W. She'll be able to tell you if it's able to be done, even if you choose to do the work yourself and not have her do it. Or, of course, she'd be great at doing it, if it can be done. She's the best local seamstress and has a ton of experience with belly dance costumes and theatrical work. If she can't do it, then I'd say it can't be done.

I third this recommendation! Laurie has taken costumes that are waaaay too big for me and made them fit! And the ones that she knew she couldn't do, she was straight with me about it.