Thread: Calling all seamstresses! How can I make a belt/skirt combo bigger?

Hi, ladies! I just traded for a beautiful purple/turquoise bra/belt set. The belt is attached to the skirt and is a little too small. I need to extend the waistband about 2-3". Has anybody done this before? Or should I try to post it on the swapmeet again? I'd really like to see if I can make this work.

Edna

Pictures of belt and bra are here:

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...ble-trade.html

I appreciate any suggestions!!

Yeah I actually just finished doing this to a costume! I gently removed the skirt from most of the top. I used my two arm cuffs (were too small for me anyway) to add length to the top. I resewed the skirt back on to the bottom and added some beading/fringe with the extras I had with the costume. The beading/fringe follows the same pattern as the rest of it, so it looks pretty good. Since the skirt was non stretch and really tight at the hips, it fortunately had some slits in it, so I was able to take the matching circle veil (I don't like chiffon veils anyway) and sew another skirt panel into the much wider slit opening.

You could use cuffs or other accessories like I did, or you could try to make your own extension on the end of the belt with heavy pellam (sp?) and matching fabric/sequins/beads.

If you don't want to go through all that though, I'd put it back up on the swap.

Dose the belt close on the side like a typical egyptian belt? Maybe you could try to match some of the sequins in the background of your extension, but put some very large interesting appliqué or giant broach or big round metal jewelry thing or flower or something over the extension... that would look neat off center like that!

I would make a round or oval shaped medallion that is as wide as you need to expand the belt. I'd bead it all over in gold beads that as closely match the costume beads and hang a piece of matching or complimentary colored chiffon off the medallion. The simply sew it onto the belt. Tada, belt is bigger and you haven't made any alterations that couldn't be reversed for a smaller dancer. You could try to find a matching purple chiffon, or go with a gold chiffon or even a darker purple accent.

Shahla, that sounds like something I could handle. Hobby Lobby and Fabric Store, here I come.

Edna

I have the same problem with another belt and bra I have and a friend suggested I buy sequins in the color of the bra and add to it, basically what Shahla is saying.

and FYI, this is exactly what I was going to do with this belt/skirt combo before we swaped, but I couldn't make the bra work for me. Good luck, post pics when you are done.