Thread: Transforming a bra/belt to a dress

I have a few bra/belt sets and I have discovered that I really prefer dresses. Have any of you converted your sets into a dress? How did you do it (other than just getting and L Rose dress and putting the belt over and bra over)?

I've only done it the other way - dress to 2 piece. This should be interesting.

I have a set that I would love to do this to. I have a bra, belt skirt and jacket. I always think if I could make a tank to go with it then I could wear the skirt with the tank and jacket over it.

Make or buy a mesh bodysuit in the same color for the Soheir Zaki look. Of if you have metallic gold or silver bedlah make lycra body suit with attached skirt and sew the bra on it. Add some metallic details to the skirt and bodysuit and some stones in the color family the lycra is in to the bedlah to meld them.

Yeah, I agree... make or buy some matching mesh bodysuits or belly covers (hancock fabrics sells mesh in a bunch of different colors) to go along with the bra/belt sets that you have. It will look all Soheir Zaki vintage style! :)

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Yeah, I agree... make or buy some matching mesh bodysuits or belly covers (hancock fabrics sells mesh in a bunch of different colors) to go along with the bra/belt sets that you have. It will look all Soheir Zaki vintage style! :)

I have thought of this but I guess I just want it to look more together then just wearing a belly cover. Perhaps I should attempt to bring some design down on to the cover to make it look more one piece?

Absolutley horrible pic but the only one I have up close of this set just to get an idea of what I am working with....

ETA: I am really good friends with this guy so it is not some jerk treating me like a stripper. Just a friend with an inside joke.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

I have thought of this but I guess I just want it to look more together then just wearing a belly cover. Perhaps I should attempt to bring some design down on to the cover to make it look more one piece?

Yeah, a colored belly cover with sequins (and maybe some beads) that match the bra/belt beads would look awesome and tie it together I think!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Absolutley horrible pic but the only one I have up close of this set just to get an idea of what I am working with....

A beautiful royal blue mesh belly cover would unite the bra and belt. Mimic the pattern from the bra here and there on the cover (and on the skirt if you only use it for this set) and you'd have a striking "dress".

I've thought about doing this with one of my bedlah- I want to sew just the front of the bra to a dress, then use what's left of the back & straps to make appliques for the tummy, back & skirt. The big hang up (besides having no time!) is that the belt is a little too wide for what I want- I think I need to sew the belt to the dress to keep it from riding up or making the dress bunch up & bulge over the top of the belt, & this one is just too thick to pull that off. If I ever attempt it, I'll post pics!

the one you have in the picture might work fine with just a decorated tummy cover tho- it would be cool if you could find the same fabric, & personally, I'd take off the beaded fringe at the bottom of the bra- one less line of separation, & maybe you could use those beads to decorate the tummy cover?

let us know how it turns out!

Aunt Rocky (Morocco) used to have bedlah with what looked like solid tummy covers that were trimmed to match the bedlah. I think Madame Abla made them for her. Chiffon skirts with lots of sequins. All dyed the same color. Should be able to find photos on her site and elsewhere. I've seen one picture in blue and remember her dancing in one that was sort of seafoam green.

Originally Posted by Lara L

I've thought about doing this with one of my bedlah- I want to sew just the front of the bra to a dress, then use what's left of the back & straps to make appliques for the tummy, back & skirt. The big hang up (besides having no time!) is that the belt is a little too wide for what I want- I think I need to sew the belt to the dress to keep it from riding up or making the dress bunch up & bulge over the top of the belt, & this one is just too thick to pull that off. If I ever attempt it, I'll post pics!

the one you have in the picture might work fine with just a decorated tummy cover tho- it would be cool if you could find the same fabric, & personally, I'd take off the beaded fringe at the bottom of the bra- one less line of separation, & maybe you could use those beads to decorate the tummy cover?

let us know how it turns out!

I made this one from a 70's evening gown so I know I can take stuff off and I still have the extras I saved fromt the dress that I can use. Brain now churning the the possibilities!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Absolutley horrible pic but the only one I have up close of this set just to get an idea of what I am working with....

ETA: I am really good friends with this guy so it is not some jerk treating me like a stripper. Just a friend with an inside joke.

If you have matching fabric you could make one of those "hourglass" shaped belly covers that were featured on another thread. I'm all for anything that makes an "hourglass" figure!..g.: You could trim it along the edges.

Do you all think it would look okay if I used sliver for the cover and skirt? I don't know about the royal blue all over, I think I would just end up looking like a blueberry. I wouldn't want any oompaloompa's coming out in the middle of a set!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Do you all think it would look okay if I used sliver for the cover and skirt? I don't know about the royal blue all over, I think I would just end up looking like a blueberry. I wouldn't want any oompaloompa's coming out in the middle of a set!

where's the icon for spewing coffee while laughing again?

I think blue would work fine, but since you already have that silver skirt, why not make a silver tummy cover & just see how it looks? (says she who has ALL the time in the world to sew ,r:; )

So if I make/buy a belly cover and want to embellish it with beading and whatnot what type of fabric should I be looking for? I just want to make sure it can stand up the the weight and extra holes from sewing.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

So if I make/buy a belly cover and want to embellish it with beading and whatnot what type of fabric should I be looking for? I just want to make sure it can stand up the the weight and extra holes from sewing.

You could use lycra or you could use powernet dyed to match your skirt. The lycra should be dancewear lycra, not lightweight jersey or what is referred to as ITY. Go to Welcome to Spandex House Inc. Spandex House, One of the Largest Spandex Collection of The World. or Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric and check out some of the cool lycras and nets.

Or if you are buying something you could get a dance leotard and cut off the top or a SugarPetals powernet belly cover.

Would something like this work?
Welcome to Spandex House Inc.

I wouldn't go for silver myself! I had a silver body slocking and I looked HUGE in it! Shiny not good!
I like dark colors! How about pairing the blue with a royal purple for the middle and skirt?

I was thinking about that this weekend. It is hard to tell but the beading is blue/purple irrodescent so purple would tie in and I could add some additional purple bead work to help it tie in....

I like the idea of using a dark colored midriff with embellishments that match the bedlah.