Thread: Help me with this project! Lehanga to bellydance costume.

Hi Ladies, I just posted this on the October "what are you working on" thread, and I think I need a little extra advice.

When I first bought this the top was like a cropped T-shirt, so big! And the skirt was almost business-like in it's cut.


So I took the back of the top and made it into a bra, and the front and sleeves of the top became a belt. The skirt stayed the same except for slitting the side seams.


Here you can see how the side slits don't really do anything for me, and they curl inwards. (Wore with a different top)


I need some advice on the skirt, and making this look more "bellydancey". One option is to make it into a narrow panel skirt, but I find those often don't look right and are rarely flattering. Or I could sew the side seams back up and slit it up the centre of the left leg, just inside of the applique? What do you think?

Ha, I'm also in the process of turning an Indian blouse (and embellished piece of fabric meant for shalwar suit) into a costume. Will have to post pictures.

For yours I think you could add a wide-ish trim to stabilize and weigh down the edges of the slits if you choose to keep it slit. Or you could add big gores of matching or contrasting chiffon, on the sides only or in front and back as well.

This is a cool project... I was going to say "add trim" as well... but what is this made out of?

Maral, love the gores idea, never thought of that!

Tigerb, where do you mean to add trim? It's made out of a non-stretch fabric, no idea what it is...a blend of something im sure.

As Maral said, a wide ribbon trim would stabilize the curling edges to avoid that problem. Although, if it's a woven fabric and it's still curling... hmm, don't know if that will work.

Adding gores is not likely to fix this problem unless the gores themselves are of a similar weight to the original fabric, so keep that in mind. (I added sheer gores to a heavy knit and those seams really want to ripple and misbehave.)

If you like the gores idea, consider adding quite a few... like six or eight! You could make this into a fab trumpet skirt, providing the appliques lie cooperatively in the right place. (Or you're willing to take them off and then put them back.) :-D

Are the sits cut straight down the fabric? Ie, along the line of the warp or weft? If they are cut at an angle they are more likely to curl, even on lycra or knit fabrics. Adding stretch mesh panels in to the side slits might help if the seams are straight, and you don't add too much fabric.

Maybe sew wide black bias tape along the inside of the openings to stabilize the openings. Cover a large metal washer with clear nail polish and tuck one into the bottom corner, between the skirt fabric and bias tape. Not an expensive or time-consuming option.

Decorative trim can also be added later, once you locate one that works for you.

Where did the last couple posts go? AUGhhhhh