Thread: Re-purposing veils?

I'm at that age where I'm not so comfortable baring my upper arms when I'm performing so I've made a few shrugs to wear with my costumes. I've been thinking about using the chiffon veils that came with my costumes to make truly coordinating shrugs since I don't dance with them; they're just sitting idle in the drawer. But I'm also worried that if I should ever try and sell a costume, it will be undesireablein the market because it doesn't come with a matching veil (although I could include the matching shrug). So do you think re-purposing my veils into a serviceable shrug is a good idea or would I be better off in the long run to just keep buying new fabric for the shrugs?

I dance with silk veils, I hack up the chiffon ones for sleeves/vests/shrugs/harems or whatnot. I do like to buy costumes with matching chiffon veils for the fabric, but I'm guessing that the lack of one wouldn't be a big issue for most dancers, myself included.

Thanks, Khalima, that's just what I needed to hear to give me the courage to start treating those chiffon veils just like any other 3 yard piece of fabric! And it probably makes sense for me to enjoy my costumes to the fullest the way I want now, rather than be timid and worry about what may happen to them in the future.

Yeah... I've never used my matching veils! ...except as fabric for accessories lol! I wonder if any of us actually uses them. I only dance w/ my silk veils and most of the matching veils are caked in sequins and beadwork and really aren't usable anyway.

I don't think many people use the matching veils that come with costumes, particularly if they are trimmed with beads and sequins. I say hack it up and make stuff.

Originally Posted by maggied

I'm at that age where I'm not so comfortable baring my upper arms when I'm performing so I've made a few shrugs to wear with my costumes. I've been thinking about using the chiffon veils that came with my costumes to make truly coordinating shrugs since I don't dance with them; they're just sitting idle in the drawer. But I'm also worried that if I should ever try and sell a costume, it will be undesireablein the market because it doesn't come with a matching veil (although I could include the matching shrug). So do you think re-purposing my veils into a serviceable shrug is a good idea or would I be better off in the long run to just keep buying new fabric for the shrugs?

do it, it would add a unique flavor to the costume. I NEVER use the veil that came with the costume primarily because I prefer to dance with silk.

I would buy a costume that came with a shrug as it would add versatility.

n+1: To me, a costume that has a coordinating, tasteful and functional upper arm coverage increases in value as compared to having a chiffon veil.

Thanks, ladies. It appears unanimous! Looks like it's time to take some scissors to those chiffon veils that otherwise are just gathering dust. LOL-kina and steffib, I hadn't even thought that having a matching shrug instead of veil could make a costume more marketable, although I should have because a shrug would be more useful to me these days than a chiffon veil.

What kind of shrug do you make. I've made vest and sleeves.

Yolanda, it's based on a shrug from a wedding/evening dress pattern. Kind of a simple, short bolero top with either 3/4 or full length sleeves. I got the idea from one of estha's costume design postings (but I think she added ruffles to hers, which I don't).

I have never personally used a veil that came with a costume, except as "extras" for students to use in class or to wrap super-snaggy costumes to keep them from snagging other things in the suitcase during transport. But I think a shrug would add re-sale value much more than the lack of a veil would detract. Go and re-purpose away!

Originally Posted by steffib

n+1: To me, a costume that has a coordinating, tasteful and functional upper arm coverage increases in value as compared to having a chiffon veil.

Me to!!! I prefer a Costume with a beautiful upper arm coverage to one with a veil - cause i can do any semicircular veil in 30 Minutes and the fabric is cheap - plus i also prefer using silk veils.
But how do you do a vest from a veil fabric - the fabric is not stretchy?

I was thinking about doing those those fluffy Pharaonics style Sleeves http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...productId=4970 and simply add some Hot Fix Rhinestones

Originally Posted by steffib

n+1: To me, a costume that has a coordinating, tasteful and functional upper arm coverage increases in value as compared to having a chiffon veil.

Me to!!! *applause*
I prefer a Costume with a beautiful upper arm coverage to one with a veil - cause i can do any semicircular veil in 30 Minutes and the fabric is cheap - plus i also prefer using silk veils.
But how do you do a vest from a veil fabric - the fabric is not stretchy?

I was thinking about doing those those fluffy Pharaonics style Sleeves http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...productId=4970 and simply add some Hot Fix Rhinestones

How many different ways can we come up with to repurpose a veil into a costume, given that it's essentially three yards of sheer fabric?

Arm coverings is one... either little floaty bits that hang from armbands, or a shrug, or long tube sleeves that catch at the wrist, or a sleeve that has a drape at the elbow.

Maybe adding accent sashes to a costume? You could attach the fabric at one shoulder, keep it pleated together like a scarf, drape it over the opposite hip, attach it where it falls across the bra.

Cut it in half and make two hip "poofs" to decorate your skirt?

Cut it in half the long way and attach to fans for fan veils?

How about making a hair cover out of a piece of a veil?

I just got a gorgeous orange Hoda and I was thinking of making harem pants with the veil. The skirt which is attached to the belt is a little sheer for my taste, so my options are to wear a gold skirt I already own underneath the Hoda or make some harem pants out of the veil that will probably take enough of the sheerness out of the skirt. The costume came with arm bands, but no headband, so I can probably make a headband out the scraps from the harem pants.

Excellent project!

Originally Posted by steffib

n+1: To me, a costume that has a coordinating, tasteful and functional upper arm coverage increases in value as compared to having a chiffon veil.

Agree ! having the same problem with upper arms (but designing my own costumes) always have sleeves

Originally Posted by steffib

n+1: To me, a costume that has a coordinating, tasteful and functional upper arm coverage increases in value as compared to having a chiffon veil.

Agree ! having the same problem with upper arms (but designing my own costumes) always have sleeves

Originally Posted by tigerb

How many different ways can we come up with to repurpose a veil into a costume, given that it's essentially three yards of sheer fabric?

Arm coverings is one... either little floaty bits that hang from armbands, or a shrug, or long tube sleeves that catch at the wrist, or a sleeve that has a drape at the elbow.

Maybe adding accent sashes to a costume? You could attach the fabric at one shoulder, keep it pleated together like a scarf, drape it over the opposite hip, attach it where it falls across the bra.

Cut it in half and make two hip "poofs" to decorate your skirt?

Cut it in half the long way and attach to fans for fan veils?

How about making a hair cover out of a piece of a veil?

You can fold it in 1/2 and cut a neck opening, decorate the edges and neck opening if you like. Now you have a sheer tunic/coverup for those occassions when you want more coverage. Either sew the sides up to where ever you want your armholes or leave open and tuck loosely into hip belt. Also makes a good bathing suit coverup!

Originally Posted by tigerb

How many different ways can we come up with to repurpose a veil into a costume, given that it's essentially three yards of sheer fabric?

Arm coverings is one... either little floaty bits that hang from armbands, or a shrug, or long tube sleeves that catch at the wrist, or a sleeve that has a drape at the elbow.

Maybe adding accent sashes to a costume? You could attach the fabric at one shoulder, keep it pleated together like a scarf, drape it over the opposite hip, attach it where it falls across the bra.

Cut it in half and make two hip "poofs" to decorate your skirt?

Cut it in half the long way and attach to fans for fan veils?

How about making a hair cover out of a piece of a veil?

I've taken a rectangular veil (beaded on three edges), and cut it into three triangles - imagine the veil in landscape orientation, (non-beaded long edge at the top), draw a 'V' from top left to middle bottom to top right, making two small triangles each with two beaded edges, and a large triangle with no beads. Add some matching lycra, and those two small triangles become gorgeous drapey arm bands, and the remaining triangle is used 'dramatic drape' like, around and through bra and either down to skirt, or hanging off back shoulder. The triangle shape of the drape means I can get thick or thin material just where I need it :)

I never use chiffon, and have been wanting to do something with the chiffon veils. Please post in the what you are working on, I'd love to learn either how to make a shrug or arm bads or such.

Ive never thought about re-purposing veil for skirts etc.. but what i have done before is offer one, at additional cost, for paying gigs.. like a "for an extra 20 dollars, you can have the bellydancers veil as a token".. kinda like a "do you want fries with that?" works great for birthday parties and sometimes weddings..and gets rid of extra clutter..

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

Ive never thought about re-purposing veil for skirts etc.. but what i have done before is offer one, at additional cost, for paying gigs.. like a "for an extra 20 dollars, you can have the bellydancers veil as a token".. kinda like a "do you want fries with that?" works great for birthday parties and sometimes weddings..and gets rid of extra clutter..

That is a very clever idea. I like it.

Originally Posted by Sheritra

Me to!!! *applause*
I prefer a Costume with a beautiful upper arm coverage to one with a veil - cause i can do any semicircular veil in 30 Minutes and the fabric is cheap - plus i also prefer using silk veils.
But how do you do a vest from a veil fabric - the fabric is not stretchy?

I was thinking about doing those those fluffy Pharaonics style Sleeves http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...productId=4970 and simply add some Hot Fix Rhinestones

Hi, I sew the chiffon onto a matching cotton then line with cotton so it can breath or you can put that glitter dot fabric under the chiffon and it makes the vest a little glittery. I use the pattern from Atira's Fashions, the Alviyah's Turkish-Macedonian Vest. I think you can search on the pattern and still buy the patterns.

I took a vintage wrap skirt and veil (now skirt is front of skirt and veil is back of skirt on elastic casings. It's really fun to dance in this, swishes nicely.

That's really pretty, Ezma. Love all of these ideas.

I think beginning dancers might use the chiffon veil that comes with the costume, but almost everyone else dances with silk. Any extras that are created from the veil will only add to the value of the costume. I have used a veil to make drapey arm bands for a Bella and have added veil material to a circle skirt that was a little too sheer. I haven't made harem pants but I think that will be my next Bella project! I also will make a shrug if there is enough material. Thanks everyone for all the ideas!