Thread: Silk Veils

I don't have any silk veils. My veil dance sucks anyway. Would you tell me the difference between dancing with a silk veil and dancing with the veil that comes with a costume? If I want to buy just one silk veil, would you suggest a color? Thank you, thank you.

I've never had a veil that comes with a costume. I suspect you mean chiffon? I like dancing with silk veils, though. They move very lightly and airily.

Colors- I don't know what to tell you to get. I like silks that are dyed so that one color fades into the other. They look really cool when you're spinning or doing other veil moves.

Originally Posted by indigostars

I've never had a veil that comes with a costume. I suspect you mean chiffon? I like dancing with silk veils, though. They move very lightly and airily.

Colors- I don't know what to tell you to get. I like silks that are dyed so that one color fades into the other. They look really cool when you're spinning or doing other veil moves.

...light and air...I like that.

I love my silk veils! I have lots.... I always seem to need another one.
They look so elegant when danced with. I know my teacher always teaches veil at the end of each of her beginner's classes because it always makes the students feel so lovely.
I recommend getting a color that would match your costume or a rainbow dyed one.
Have fun!

It's like the difference between driving a pinto and a porsche. The porsche being the silk veil. The pinto being everything else.

Originally Posted by NishaDance

I don't have any silk veils. My veil dance sucks anyway. Would you tell me the difference between dancing with a silk veil and dancing with the veil that comes with a costume? If I want to buy just one silk veil, would you suggest a color? Thank you, thank you.

Danger, biased silk dyer here!

The advantage to dancing with a silk veil is that silk (particularly 8mm and lighter) allows you to do a larger variety of moves. If the silk is collapsed together, you can swish it rapidly like a ribbon. If the silk is expanded and pulled more slowly, you can fill it with air like a parachute and it will float, sometimes so slowly that you can change your hold on it so it hangs in midair. Poly chiffon doesn't hold air as well.

Heavier silk is great for spinning and cape-like motions. It doesn't need a weight on the edge to fling out. Silk is also very lustrous and shiny and looks beautiful under lights because it is reflective.

I happen to think the loveliest silk veils around these days are by Darlene of Shibori Borealis.

(Sorry, for some reason my link to her site keeps going bonkers.)

Wow, I'd better get one. Checking on Shibori Borealis. Any other place you would recommend? If buy one used, what shall I be looking for? Thanks.

My first veils were chiffon, because that was what everyone in my area used, including the teachers. There were lamé semi circles too but as much as I loved the "look" of those, I wasn't too thrilled with their movement (and they would shed threads and develop holes quite easily!) Then, silk came along and I was hooked.

Silk is amazing. There is nothing like it, from being lightweight and holding "tricks" well, to being somewhat easy to use (and easy on the arms). As far as choosing a color, I'd recommend going with a shade that is different than the main color of your costume. For instance, if you've got a purple costume, try a tuquoise veil or a nice rich red.

Google Akai silks, Ladysilk or Nahari silk veils for lots of veil options!

Akai veils of course, by our very own Jessenia. She sells on etsy.com too, I think.

Most of my veils are silk, and bought as yardage from a fabric store. But I also have one that is made from a lame that isn't sold anymore - it moves like heavy silk and is bright shiny silver on one side and pewter-shiny on the other - it is very dramatic.

I don't know how others like them, but I also have a semi-circular chiffon one with beading on the edges. Good for outdoors, and for building arm endurance!

I used the poly/chiffon veils from 2003 until early this year, then I switched to silk, though I do have chiffon I'll pull out on occasion. I've seen both used beautifully in dance, I really think it's just personal preference. I like silk more, for the float factor (and hangtime) & wide range of colors/designs available not available in chiffon.

Another SILK fanatic here... :) However, I wouldn't do away w/your chiffon ones entirely: They make good cover ups and/or additional layers/"hip pouf" accents to chiffon circle skirts, and I find they're better for dancing with at an outdoor event (like Festivals, Renn Faires) on days that have even a bit of a breeze.
In the commercial arena: I'm extremely partial to Akai Silks (our own Jes) and Fairy Cove Silk. Gorgeous, beautiful veils and not as pricey as Shibori Borealis; plus there's a bhuzzer in the UK (Kash) who makes the most amazing handpainted works-of-art silk veils. I've also been spoiled in that I have a lot of local instructors & bders who are practicing the art of silk veil dyeing to the point that I have an "embarrassment of riches" collection (thanks, Samar, for the appropriate term:))

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

an "embarrassment of riches" collection

ooohhh - I like that!

Originally Posted by caasious

ooohhh - I like that!

LOL:) It's just that I have many BD sisters that help to enable me in my greedy little addiction (my Secret Habibi is the latest w/my gorgeous Navy Blue Silk Veil--Shukran, Eshta!:))

Now I am addicted. Shall I get half circle or rectangle?

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

...made from a lame that isn't sold anymore - it moves like heavy silk and is bright shiny silver on one side and pewter-shiny on the other - it is very dramatic.

How I LOVE this. Will I be able to find such fabric in a fabric store?

Originally Posted by NishaDance

How I LOVE this. Will I be able to find such fabric in a fabric store?

I just watched one of my veil dvds again - 4 yard veils with Shoshanna.

4 yard veils with shoshanna - Google Videos

She talks about the different materials used in veils, the shapes of veils, and the weight of the materials. She also provides easy to understand instructions to beginners and experienced veilers regarding the different things you can do with a veil. That might be a good place to start. There are many other dvds that can introduce you to the wonderful world of veils.

Everyone has their own style of veil work, and we all like different types for different things. Perhaps a used silk 6mm (that is a weight of the material) 3-yard rectangle would be an appropriate veil for your first purchase.

Just wanted to include Aura Evans (here in the retail section) as a source for veils (I just bought one of hers). I have silk veils from Akai, Aura Evans, Shibori Borealis, and chiffon veils which sometimes come with costumes.

Good luck, veils are very fun!! ..l;,

Go to Dharma Trading (good for first silk veil purchase, you can try it for less!) I just bought lots and dyed them myself for my student performance group last summer. Easy to dye! Microwave method!
You can at least try a white veil for cheap and see if you like it.

Hi again, Nisha! Did you see this post: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...ue-purple.html

Best of both worlds = Silk Chiffon Veils from our very own wonderful bhuzzer & my Secret Habibi this year (yes, I must constantly brag about that Hehehe:)), Eshta!

P.S. Luv your website! It's nice to see the names of so many of my old stomping grounds--I grew up in Daly City & all over the Bay Area, really :))

there are so many different types and weights of silk as well as dyes that can affect the weight. I like heavier weights - 8mm but I also like silk chiffon which is the sheerest but has a weight slightly lighter than poly chiffon. The look and feel is amazing.
I dye all my veils myself. I end up selling a lot of them. I have all weights and types.
I love that Shoshana educates everyone on the different types on her dvd. Great idea! Many dancers are unaware of the differences.

Originally Posted by faaria

...Dharma Trading... dyed them myself for my student...

What a fantastic idea! Would you tell me which kind you got? Size? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Hi again, Nisha! Did you see this post: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...ue-purple.html

Best of both worlds = Silk Chiffon Veils from our very own wonderful bhuzzer & my Secret Habibi this year (yes, I must constantly brag about that Hehehe:)), Eshta!

P.S. Luv your website! It's nice to see the names of so many of my old stomping grounds--I grew up in Daly City & all over the Bay Area, really :))

Yes, I've been lusting all over her chiffon veils. But which one or ones? I came to the Bay Area in 2001, used to live in Mississippi.

Originally Posted by NishaDance

What a fantastic idea! Would you tell me which kind you got? Size? Thanks.

I would start with a 3 yard rectangle.

Originally Posted by NishaDance

How I LOVE this. Will I be able to find such fabric in a fabric store?

No. I've heard that you can't get it, although possibly stores that serve the haute couture fashion houses have it. I haven't seen any since the 80s.

However, there is a very shiny lame that is quite commonly seen. It doesn't move like the silk variety I have, but it's VERY pretty and I've seen plenty of costumes and veils made from it. That type is available in places like Joanne's and Yardage Town. Surprisingly, the most beautiful patterned and ombre silk chiffons I have are from those places as well - my fantasy costumes would be made of silk and vintage assiut. Oooo La La....

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

No. I've heard that you can't get it, although possibly stores that serve the haute couture fashion houses have it. I haven't seen any since the 80s.

However, there is a very shiny lame that is quite commonly seen. It doesn't move like the silk variety I have, but it's VERY pretty and I've seen plenty of costumes and veils made from it. That type is available in places like Joanne's and Yardage Town. Surprisingly, the most beautiful patterned and ombre silk chiffons I have are from those places as well - my fantasy costumes would be made of silk and vintage assiut. Oooo La La....

Just a word of warning about the lame (pronounced "la-may") you see at fabric stores. The cheap stuff is also lame (pronounced "lame") to work with. the selvedge edges are ugly, and the raw edges fray terribly. Making a small rolled hem on this stuff is a pain in the you know what. It also is rather stiff for veilwork, not very fluid.

So before you go off to Joann and buy the shiny gold stuff, be aware of the limitations!

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

It's like the difference between driving a pinto and a porsche. The porsche being the silk veil. The pinto being everything else.

..l;, Sooo true. Once you have silk it's tough to dance with anything else.

welcome to the world of silk dance..it really is its own specialty within bellydance..you can dance with light silk, heavy silk, double veil silk, single rectangle silk, ultra wide silk, silk fans, silk poi. I happen to dye them all and adore my job

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Also would like to recommend Audra Evans but I don't know her website..but google her,

I love Akai silks :-)
Jess's veils hold up really well. If you don't want to splurge on a pre-dyed veil, you can buy white silk veil "blanks" from Dharma Trading Co. and dye them yourself. I've had fun doing this with almost all the veils I own, and have dyed troupe veils that way too....the only thing is, only do that if you want a single color. Trying to dye 2-tone takes a while (at least, longer than I want to spend :-) ), so for 2 tones or more, I'd recommend buying one already dyed by Audra or Jess.

I love doing two tones although I did recently cheat and make one that was a dark plum burgundy blending to baby blue at the ends. Its a keeper....

the old metalic fabric that I can't find anymore (so I am protecting my last 2 with my life!) was called liquid silver (or liquid gold, or liquid copper, depending on hue)- I actually found a tiny bit of it on ebay once, so even if it's not commonly commercially available, you might hunt for it under those names. I love my silk veils, but don't get rid of those chiffon veils either! every different material moves differently- I have my faves, but bottom line, I am a veil addict! you can acheive different effects with light weight silk, heavy weight silk, chiffon, lurex, liquid silver, beaded on the edges, beaded all over, with mirrors, 2 yard veils, 3 yard, 4 yard, etc, etc, etc- ordering undyed samples from dharma is a great way to figure out what you like before you spend more on a fancy veil- you might play around with a 3 yard cut or other fabrics from them too- I dyed some of their burnout fabric with indigo and it came out SOOO pretty! haven't worked with it much yet, but it is pretty, pretty, pretty!
I'm not sure that helped at all... I bring different types of veils to my classes so students can play with all different kinds, and the heavier silk seems to be more popular with my students- tho I know in general the lighter weight ones seem to be preferred.

I'm another biased silk painter, but I do love silk, it hangs in the air so beautifully.

I just photographed a ton of veils by silkdancer.com

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