Thread: Costume Making Gurus

Hi Everyone,

I've read alot about covering bras when making costumes, but does anyone know what is actually used as a base for costumes in Egypt? The super stiff white stuff that they mould? What's is called? Has anyone tried another method other than covering a ready made bra??

Thanks :)

Buckram is a popular cup stiffener. It comes in several weights.

Buckram is great but tough to sew. I prefer bra the cup forms from Arlene's Classic Cups, based in CA. I do not think she has a website but she might be reachable via a search engine. At times she has vended in the same booth with Judeen of CA and Suzanna del Vecchio, they might know how to contact her. I usually purchase several sets each time I see Arlene since that is my only contact with her.

When I need a cup form quickly I have used either Buckram or fabric stiffener on canvas to create the cups. Once dry I cover the form with 3 layers of canvas then my base fabric. When sewing decorations I simply sew through the 3 outer layers of canvas with a few occasional stitches to anchor everything.

When I create my own bra cups I use a lightweight, pliable wire hanger to create the underwire. I create a three-ply tube of t-shirt fabric to cover the wire to avoid discomfort on ribs.

Originally Posted by showtime

When I need a cup form quickly I have used either Buckram or fabric stiffener on canvas to create the cups. Once dry I cover the form with 3 layers of canvas then my base fabric. When sewing decorations I simply sew through the 3 outer layers of canvas with a few occasional stitches to anchor everything.

When I create my own bra cups I use a lightweight, pliable wire hanger to create the underwire. I create a three-ply tube of t-shirt fabric to cover the wire to avoid discomfort on ribs.

Showtime, what do you use as a form to mold the buckram/canvas to? I'm very interested!!

I've heard of folks wearing a bra covered with wet buckram until it dries! Never tried it myself, though.

I've heard of dancers using plastic canvas to make bra cups uber stiff. Personally, I use a couple of layers of buckram cut to shape on the inside of the bra after I've covered the front and decorated so all those layers of tough fabric don't have to be sewn through. *disclaimer* So far I've not made super heavy beaded bras, so I don't need to add the buckram before to support the beadwork.

A note on cup shape: street bras often come up in a 'triangle' where the strap attaches. When the original straps are cut off to harvest the cups they do need reshaping. It's nearly impossible to cover them neatly otherwise and you don't have the option of placing the straps where you wish in the front.

If I'm using buckram to form a shape, I usually have make a couple of darts to make it conform to the shape. The excess fabric from the dart can be cut-off after you got the shape right.

there's stiffeners that come in spray or paint on liquid.

we use the "extreem" bra by fredericks of hollywood, back closeing , for all.

How very interesting! I'm wanting to make some new costumes but thinking about the bra base is always the brick wall that I hit! As far as cup shape goes I prefer the Dina style in a halter which is the most flattering on me, but naturally covering a ready made bra isn't easy as they don't really make them in that shape. So I was wanting to explore the buckram idea. Of course after going to all that effort I want it to look professional :) I wish someone would create a tutorial on the use of buckram for bellydancing!!

You've all been so helpful thank you :) Any other tips would be great if anyone has them.... surely I'm not the only one whos curious! XD

Check out this previous thread on Bhuz:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-bra-made.html

I always use heavy-weight pellon (sp?). I find buckram too difficult to mold. 3-4 layers of pellon over a bra cup seems to give the sturdiness and sculpting that I need. I have torn apart Egyptian costume bras and found some are made from a paper-mache/newspaper stuffing! "Bullet-proof" I call them!

I recently took apart a bra made by Hoyda and it was actually neoprene inside just like a wetsuit. That explained why it was soft but kept its shape really well.

I also just enlarged a Sahar-like bra and it was a wonderful build up of layers like paper-mache but of fabric glued together with a flexible but almost plastic glue. I enlarged it by cutting rays into the little cups and sandwiching them between foam bra cups from a thrift store. But to get the Sahar shape you have to cut the foam cups off the underwire and then attach them upside down to your costume bra! The beauty of this is that the inside foam cup softens the plastic feel and gives you something to stitch your lining to, likewise the outside foam cup lets you stitch on your bling.