Thread: Why are there so few sources...

...of midriff covers?

Why do they come in so few colors? Why do I have to order them and wait six to eight weeks, when I can order a designer costume off the rack and get it in three days? What is so hard and rocket-sciencey about making and selling these that they are so damn hard to find?

I would like an f*ing pink one and and f*ing black one. I would like to order these today and get them this week. First of all, there are no pink ones. Fine. I have dyes that will dye nylon. So I need a white one and a black one.

Vendor #1 has one "flesh" tone. (if you are a very pale caucasian; screw everyone else). No black, white or colors

Vendor #2 has suntan and black ones (screw pale people) but no white ones or colors to match costumes.

Vendor #3 has a small selection of colors including black and white, but it takes 3-4 weeks to get your order.

Vendor #4 has two flesh tones and black but no white and takes 4-6 weeks for an order.

I don't even know anywhere else in the US where you can get these.

Has anyone found any other products that can be made into midriff covers? Sexy lingerie? other dance wear? Certain brand of pantyhose? Why is this so difficult? Why am I so grumpy this afternoon?,m::,m::,m::

Originally Posted by ssipes

Has anyone found any other products that can be made into midriff covers? Sexy lingerie? other dance wear? Certain brand of pantyhose? Why is this so difficult? Why am I so grumpy this afternoon?,m::,m::,m::

Belly Dance Stuff: Making a Fishnet Body Stocking
..g.:

I don't even know anywhere else in the US where you can get these.

Not in the US but my second favorite is :: See Fit Body Stockings :: Body stockings for dance and stage

and here's a UK company that has a wonderful assortment of fabrics. You can sort to just see their US ebay auctions. The only downside i see to these is that they're VERY expensive in US$, and I find that the clear plastic straps work OK, but only if I sew them in place.
Body Stockings » Belly Dance Oz

Allegedly, Dahlal has colored ones in the pipeline. Hm, this is the time to buy shares of the company ;-)

There is also another vendor: Flamenco Diva Designs

Have you tried Belly Dancing Direct? They're based in the UK, but their belly stockings are marvelous. I've been working "behind the scenes" with the owner Vicky (stay tuned, because I'm going to be their official spokesmodel!) and they have tons of colors, including a lot of stuff that's not on their website. If I remember correctly, they did have white...

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Belly Dance Stuff: Making a Fishnet Body Stocking
..g.:

Lauren, I've seen your article and it is excellent, but right now I don't want fish net I want mesh.

I want them to create color blocks that go with certain costumes, so I will look like Souhair Zaki. Dammit.

This site Trashy.com - Lingerie - panties - hosiery - swimsuit models - sexy lingerie - Welcome to Trashy Lingerie ! has fishnet bodystockings in various colours. The prices seem fairly good (under $25). I've never bought from them - I bookmarked the site from an old discussion on Bhuz.

Originally Posted by steffib

Allegedly, Dahlal has colored ones in the pipeline. Hm, this is the time to buy shares of the company ;-)

There is also another vendor: Flamenco Diva Designs

I second Flamenco Diva. I've order from her before and I will again. She is very quick to respond, very personable, and very affordable. She will make you any color that you request, for $45 that already includes shipping the U.S. Just make sure you pay attention to the sizing because she runs large. I would normally get an L or XL top, but her Small bellycover was a perfect, firm fit for me. She's very good about answering your questions or whatever in a timely fashion. And she takes Paypal, so you can secure your purchases. She will also do special requests.

I would give her a try--just email her with your requests/questions!

Hope everything works out for you. I felt the same way.

BDF/KJ

I purchase mine from :: See Fit Body Stockings :: Body stockings for dance and stage and Belly Dancing Direct

Both have a wide range of colors and fabrics. I order online and have them within a week usually.

If you can sew, one option would be to buy a swimsuit, leotard, or bodysuit pattern and modify it into the style of stomach cover you want. Once you tweak your pattern for the cut you like (in other words, remake the top of the pattern--straight across with snaps? straps? under-bra neckline?), you should be able to knock out a new cover in a couple of hours, and that way, you will only be at the mercy of fabric vendors in the future.

Thanks for the extra sources, everyone. The overseas sources have really nice stuff, also the flamenco place, but the price is ouch! I'm not excited about shellingout $100 for two belly covers.

Tourbeau, I know I should just make my own and quit whining. I know a source and even have their fabric swatches. But I don't have a serger and I've never quite gotten the hang of attaching the elastic on swimsuit/lingerie type garments.

I suppose I could just sew the torso part and stitch them onto underwear.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Tourbeau, I know I should just make my own and quit whining. I know a source and even have their fabric swatches. But I don't have a serger and I've never quite gotten the hang of attaching the elastic on swimsuit/lingerie type garments.

I suppose I could just sew the torso part and stitch them onto underwear.

As long as you have a conventional machine that makes a nice small zigzag (both small stitch length and width), you can get by without a serger. This produces a reasonable approximation of a rolled hem, and as long as you load the bobbin with wooly nylon thread, it should be comparably durable with light- and medium-weight stretch fabrics. (If you want to use girdle-weight fabrics for a lot of compression, you'll probably be better with a serger, but that's a lot of control to dance in.)

KwikSew 2116, which is regrettably out of print but can be ordered as an archive pattern from the source or picked up online from second-hand vendors, walks you through the process of making a snap-open crotch and attaching elastic. It's really not that bad to make your own.

Don't think this makes any difference, but Flamenco Diva charges $35 for the basic colors, $40 for non-basic colors, and $45 for metallic colors--a bit less than $100 for two. I've used Bellydancing Direct too, and she is also good. How much are you looking to pay?

My frustration was (is) the cost of these midriff covers, so I can see your point! I needed one at the last minute, so I just paid for it. This seems to be the standard pricing. If you're handy at sewing, Tourbeau's suggestion sounds great. What a handy skill to be able to make your own!

I had a look around American Apparel and didn't find much...they didn't really have anything strapless or that stops under the bust that would be suitable, but a few were low-cut enough they might be hide-able under a bra? Note--not all pics work-safe. Some stuff on the American Apparel site borders on porn.

Not many colors:
Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Bra Bodysuit | Bodysuits & Rompers | Shop American Apparel

Cotton Spandex Jersey Basic Bodysuit | Bodysuits & Rompers | Shop American Apparel

NSFW--she's wearing a mesh bodystocking and, well, nothing underneath:
Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Bodysuit | Bodysuits & Rompers | Shop American Apparel

Cotton Spandex Jersey Strapless Ruched Bodysuit | Bodysuits & Rompers | Shop American Apparel

Cotton Spandex Jersey Halter Leotard | Bodysuits & Rompers | Shop American Apparel


I was hoping to find something suitable at We Love Colors, but no dice.

Kat, I had found the American Apparel bodysuits and had them bookmarked, but then I was reading the reviews and someone mentioned that they "get loose" after you've had them on for a while, so that makes me wonder if they are stretchy enough.

I read Lauren's super-awesome tutorial, but was also looking for something non-fishnet with lots of color. I haven't tried it yet, but my plan is to order a pair of tights from www.welovecolors.com, and do exactly to them what Lauren did with the fishnets. Depending on where the seams are, I might have to turn it and connect it to a pair of underwear. They have 51 colors - hopefully something could work for you! Good luck!!!

Originally Posted by damselfly

This site Trashy.com - Lingerie - panties - hosiery - swimsuit models - sexy lingerie - Welcome to Trashy Lingerie ! has fishnet bodystockings in various colours. The prices seem fairly good (under $25). I've never bought from them - I bookmarked the site from an old discussion on Bhuz.

Those are cheap, and I think you could actually pull the neckline under the bust, but I want the color to show up and I'm afraid the fishnet will not provide enough.

I will tell you why. Sewing mesh to handle that much stress takes a special stitch and a special machine. It is not that easy. I ahve started making them for myself and it isn't rocket science that's true but it does take some skill. But I can't answer the color question for you. I have mesh in every single color and pattern and when I tried to get some of the vendors to make me a hot pink one it was like I was asking for the moon. Totally over the top expensive and really hard to deal with their custom rates and needs.
So that's why I have started to make my own.

Is it possible to sew them by hand?

I don't have a serger and have always used a small zigzag stitch for stretch, lyra, mesh, etc. I go over it twice. It is a little tricky to get the tension right so it doesn't pucker... but the nature of stretch can hide some puckering. I have also sewn stretchy things onto bikini underwear, again using zigzag. Saqra had a tutorial on this. I'll look for it.

Originally Posted by luvnafctn

I read Lauren's super-awesome tutorial, but was also looking for something non-fishnet with lots of color. I haven't tried it yet, but my plan is to order a pair of tights from www.welovecolors.com, and do exactly to them what Lauren did with the fishnets. Depending on where the seams are, I might have to turn it and connect it to a pair of underwear. They have 51 colors - hopefully something could work for you! Good luck!!!

This seems like a brilliant answer -- so easy, even I could do it! lol

Want to take pics of the process for my website? ..g.:

Originally Posted by Lauren_

This seems like a brilliant answer -- so easy, even I could do it! lol

Want to take pics of the process for my website? ..g.:

For sure! I ordered the tights yesterday, so I should get them by the end of the week!

Originally Posted by luvnafctn

For sure! I ordered the tights yesterday, so I should get them by the end of the week!

I'll be interested to know if they will pull up high enough for a midriff cover, and if they have seams running up the front.

Staying tuned for details!

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

Is it possible to sew them by hand?

Nope. It's a special zigzag stitch and also involves a serger. But not an overlock. It has to be an industrial machine. And there is a tricky bit with zig zag stitching elastic too.
I have a pattern for one with seams only up the back.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

Is it possible to sew them by hand?

Nope. It's a special zigzag stitch and also involves a serger. But not an overlock. It has to be an industrial machine. And there is a tricky bit with zig zag stitching elastic too.
I have a pattern for one with seams only up the back.

It depends on what sort of stomach cover you want. If you want something that is essentially a mesh skin cover to even skin tone, camouflage scars, or create a decorative effect, you will have more options for assembling the garment than if you want something in heavy-duty Powermesh to provide contouring and control. If you want the first style, and you've got the patience to hand sew tiny, evenly spaced blanket stitches with wooly nylon, I don't know why it wouldn't work, but it would be a lot more effort than making a zigzag stitch on a regular machine. The first cover I made was the decorative type, and I made it on a regular machine, and it has held up fine.

IMHO, the choice of assembly technique comes down to how much stress you are going to put on your seams. If you want a garment that is just going to maintain enough tension to not sag on your body, it will require less stringent seam integrity. If you want a stomach cover that takes substantial effort to wriggle into and creates an effect of streamlining your silhouette, then that job is better suited to a good quality serger.

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

Is it possible to sew them by hand?

I don't have a serger and my sewing machine HATES lycra - so I do all mine by hand. Backstitching close to the cut edge, then blanket stitching over the edges. Takes a while to get one done, but I can make it fit exactly the way I want it to.

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Staying tuned for details!

Me too!..l;, Yummy colours at 'we love colours'

Just speaking for Designs by Janie. It takes 4-5 weeks, because I am a one woman operation. Designer costumes in Egypt have a whole staff of employees sewing the costumes.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I'll be interested to know if they will pull up high enough for a midriff cover, and if they have seams running up the front.

Wont' matter if she's going to sew them to underwear. She can turn the seams to the sides, and she can add a bit of length by cutting the tights just above the legs/crotch and then sewing them to the top of the underwear band.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Wont' matter if she's going to sew them to underwear. She can turn the seams to the sides, and she can add a bit of length by cutting the tights just above the legs/crotch and then sewing them to the top of the underwear band.

I LOVE this idea! Now to find colorful tights with a good amount of spandex...

ETA, I may just go with We Love Colors and see how it works.