Thread: Belt woes

So I'm working on my belt... and I'm just really not satisfied with how things are going.

The bra has been a completely frustration as well- I'm semi satisfied with it- I really wanted that open spaced U front Sahara kind of bra- but I wound up with some super squished boobies- that very much make it look like my cups are too small- I'm a regular C and I bought D/DD cups and trimmed off very little. Grrrrrr

Anyway- I digress- I used jeans and buckram for the base-and some other just random fabric to give it some umph...

and I put 4 small darts in bottom and two small darts at the top of it to give it the scoop shape for my rather luscious booty (its very 3 dimentional)

I had pinned bigger darts- but that gave me this hallow in the belt that didn't fit- it actually greated space where there wasn't enough butt to fill- so I backed off of the darts- and make it more flat.

But the top edge still doesn't lie flat- the bottom scoops okay but the top still gaps- but yet the deeper the darts- the more it just scoops and creates empty space rather than curing my hip line.

I thought I had pictures but currently I don't- I can post some when I get home.

Thoughts would be appreciated! I really would like to make sure this stuff fits- aiming toward costuming that can be used to actually dance in as a semi professional- not just something I slapped together.

When you lay out your belt flat, does the top edge curve? I have found that cutting the belt shape in a curve in addition to any necessary darts helps with gapping. So, if the belt is layed out flat, the top edge should look like a little smiley face as opposed to a straight line.

no I cut it straight- assuming the small darts at the top would fix any issues with my butt/hollow back issue...

will have to recut something else and see how that works- this is- I confess- my first fitted caberet style costume... so lots of trial and error here!! thank god I'm a fabric junkie- I have plenty O extra fabric!

Try experimenting with some inexpensive felt or whatever you have around. It takes a little practice getting it right, but you'll be glad you spent the time on it when you have something that fits. Once you get the right shape, trace out your pattern on something so you can use it again for your next costume.

thats the plan- I thought I had a decent cut out and was hoping upon hope my engignerd background would help me get it right the first time- but no such luck.. I have limited "good fabric" since I bought it in the remenants and not about to slap it on a belt I'm not 100% satisfied with!

thanks for the tips... any more would greatly be apprecaited! LMAO- my google fu is weak on this stuff- I found one tutorial but it was only moderately helpful!

Dina Lydia has a whole series of great costuming books for belly dancers. I recommend her book, "Cabaret Belt & Bra for Bellydancers". It helped me tremendously when I first started making my own costumes.

http://www.costumegoddess.com/cgseries.htm

Perhaps the darts at the bottom of the belt are contributing to the hollow space when you dart the top. Sometimes I don't even dart the bottom, as you can see here in some pics of a recent costume project. Of course, it all depends on your particular body shape and how tall (?) the belt is in the back.

As Shahla suggested, curving the top edge of the back of the belt is helpful. In the photo I linked, you can see that the back top edge curves, but the front top edge is straight.

Nadya has great step by step instructions with photos... go to "foto story: a costume" and follow the belt... she starts off with a straight back and does many little darts on the top and bottom to produce the shape she wants....

http://www.nadyas-sewing-instructions.de/indexe.htm

so maybe it's not deeper darts, but more smaller ones that will help you in this case.

:)

Shahla's question about the top cut - that's immediately what I wondered, as soon as I read your post I thought, I'll bet she cut it straight.

Bottom line (so to speak) it will never fit right unless the belt follows the curve of the body. You curve, the belt must curve also - top and bottom. Some really narrow belts, or belts that sit higher on the body, you might be able to get away with a straight cut but it isn't really optimal.

If it's possible to re-cut I think this is the best solution. It doesn't have to be a huge deep U shape but a shallow curve along the upper edge will help the belt conform to your shape instead of sticking out there in space.

Plus if the belt is shaped properly you may well eliminate the need for darts altogether.

Originally Posted by Basha

So I'm working on my belt... and I'm just really not satisfied with how things are going.

Totally misread this as "so I'm working on my butt...."

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Totally misread this as "so I'm working on my butt...."

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Totally misread this as "so I'm working on my butt...."

LOL well yes that's getting work done on it too! hrs at the gym at this point! LMAO

costuming takes up easily as much time though!