Thread: Beledi or Sa'idi dress with slipping sash...

I love the look of a beledi or Sa'idi dress with a soft sash tied around the hips.... but how do you keep that sash from rolling into a cord, or sliding up or down? I have a couple of ideas (either making a belt base to tack the sash to, or maybe finding some non-slip elastic to tack it to at the top, or pinning through all layers, although this worries me with delicate fabrics). What have you tried that worked? And what didn't work?

I love Hollywood Tape.
Three 1 inch pieces around the top works great.

Originally Posted by Samira_in_TX

I love Hollywood Tape.
Three 1 inch pieces around the top works great.

It doesn't leave any gunky residue on the fabric?

I made a lovely belt using a silk veil and safety pins of DOOM. Pinning through the silk was worrying, but oh well. Pins on the inside, into the dress and into the knickers as well, to keep it all in place.

Depending on the fabric the other option is simply to tie *really* tight. But that doesn't work unless you want the sash to be a straight band, as opposed to cupping the butt etc.

ETA: The belt base option works very well, possibly the best of all.

I've always just strategically pinned, but I'm interested to hear what else people have tried that have worked.

I tie tight and pin from the outside, into the folds and with matching colored safety pins if possible. If the belt is wide enough, you can sometimes get the cupped effect, but you have to keep the knot toward the middle of the width. When the knot is closer to the top, it seems that the belt tends to ride up and lose the shape. OTOH, some fabrics just won't grab, especially slinky synthetics. I don't know what would happen if you tried to cut a strip of that kind of carpet backing or shelf lining that is puffy and slightly tacky and pin it between the layers of the costume. It might keep things from moving around without putting residue on the fabric. For a while I was using that stuff to keep a cushion from shifting on my sofa, and the upholstery doesn't seem any worse for wear. You could experiment with it.

Or you could just dance as is and claim you are being authentic. Most of the longer videos online with Egyptian dancers wearing this look (Tito, Fifi, et al.) have at least one episode of fussing over the sash while they are dancing. Sometimes I wonder if they don't let it ride up on purpose to remind the audience where to look.

And here is what I ended up doing...

I found the kind of shelf liner that Torbeau mentioned, and I even found it in dusty pink, which goes well with the dress. I bought some wide grosgrain ribbon to support the sash a little better, sewed some pieces of shelf liner to the ribbon, and then attached it to the sash along the top, leaving the ends free so they will still drape. The ribbon supports the sash, and it sits right there at the hipline where I want it, with no slipping, and no rolling into a tube. Took this for a short test-drive today and will do a longer one tomorrow.

Such a relief... and much easier than making a belt to go underneath.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Bhuzzers rock.

I have a variety of beautiful beaded safety pins, some with coins and paillettes dangling. Pinning right through the sash and dress doesn't seem to be a problem since the pin itself becomes part of the costume.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I have a variety of beautiful beaded safety pins, some with coins and paillettes dangling. Pinning right through the sash and dress doesn't seem to be a problem since the pin itself becomes part of the costume.

Did you make the beaded safety pins yourself or buy them somewhere, what a great accessory to have on hand.

Souzan, what a great idea to use decorated pins! Got any pics?

Normally, I wouldn't mind pinning, but I didn't want to do this on my new Eshta because the fabric is delicate. Hoping next week to apply the same treatment to the sash of my Pharaonics assuit, which I also don't want to pin.

what about sewing elastic to the inside along the top? Sew it lingerie style with a zig zag stitch so it stretches.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

what about sewing elastic to the inside along the top? Sew it lingerie style with a zig zag stitch so it stretches.

This was Plan B or C. I love this dress, Eshta! ..g.:

http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.co...fety-pins.html
This is a link for beaded safety pins.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

what about sewing elastic to the inside along the top? Sew it lingerie style with a zig zag stitch so it stretches.

This is what I did with my old slippery one, and it worked really well.