Thread: Making your own accessories

Hey everyone! I've realized that I have a TON of fabric/craft scraps around, and I thought it would be fun to try to make my own dance accessories-- especially some tribal belts. Does anyone here have any suggestions on where to start or some styles to try?

What style are you thinking of, and what is your sewing/crafting experience? Dawn (Davina) has some good books for inspiration and how-to Davina ~ Dawn Devine
artemis imports also has a bunch of patterns Bellydance Patterns

I like to browse through belly dance magazines, the swap page here and the event/photo pages over at Gilded Serpent for inspiration, since I tend to make my patterns up myself.

Originally Posted by Lara L

What style are you thinking of, and what is your sewing/crafting experience? Dawn (Davina) has some good books for inspiration and how-to Davina ~ Dawn Devine
artemis imports also has a bunch of patterns Bellydance Patterns

I like to browse through belly dance magazines, the swap page here and the event/photo pages over at Gilded Serpent for inspiration, since I tend to make my patterns up myself.

Regarding styles, I'm probably going to stay away from anything with really intense beading. It kind of scares me right now! That's why I'm leaning toward more tribal accessories.

I've been sewing for about 15 years and worked in the costume department for my college's theater. I occasionally make some basic clothing for myself and have a sewing machine. I think I'm pretty good with sewing experience, but I haven't done all that much crafting other than a couple knitting projects here and there. But... I'm definitely willing to learn!

Thanks for the links and suggestions. :) Checking them out now!

I find that the least fabric/time consuming accessories are necklaces. I just use some grossgrain ribbon inside and do a design that matches my costume. Or the plain, straight across arm bands are great... the ones that are like 2-3 inches wide and side right above your elbow? those are super quick and easy too... If you have some stretchy fabric, you could make the long criss cross arms that are in my avatar pic... but that requires a few looooooong strips of fabric :(

Originally Posted by Nuriya

I find that the least fabric/time consuming accessories are necklaces. I just use some grossgrain ribbon inside and do a design that matches my costume. Or the plain, straight across arm bands are great... the ones that are like 2-3 inches wide and side right above your elbow? those are super quick and easy too... If you have some stretchy fabric, you could make the long criss cross arms that are in my avatar pic... but that requires a few looooooong strips of fabric :(

Do you do anything special to make sure the armbands stay put?

Originally Posted by rabeea

Regarding styles, I'm probably going to stay away from anything with really intense beading. It kind of scares me right now! That's why I'm leaning toward more tribal accessories.

I've been sewing for about 15 years and worked in the costume department for my college's theater. I occasionally make some basic clothing for myself and have a sewing machine. I think I'm pretty good with sewing experience, but I haven't done all that much crafting other than a couple knitting projects here and there. But... I'm definitely willing to learn!

Thanks for the links and suggestions. :) Checking them out now!

great- sounds like we have a similar background! So you don't need any basic technique stuff, just ideas? I still like Dawn's books- if you aren't sewing for yourself, do you have a particular market in mind? a local studio which might be willing to do consignment, even a regular swap & shop event at workshops in your area? I find that once I know who I'm sewing for (even if it's some imaginary person in my head) my inspiration for what to sew comes quite naturally. Also easier to sell stuff in the long run if you can get feedback on what people are interested in before you spend hours & hours sewing!

Nuriya, I love your arm bands! I did something similar, but instead of actually crisscrossing, I made a regular sleeve and did diamond/triangle cut outs to give the look but without actually having to lace anything. Not sure about the trade off- easy to get on & off, but a lot of edges to turn!

I like using the clear elastic without a casing for arm bands- it's a little grippy. Down side is that it wears out faster than regular elastic.

Well I usually use stretch fabric and make them a smidge small so that they stay put above the elbow (which sort of acts as a blocker against them sliding down). But if they get too stretched out over time, I tack elastic inside (the way you would a skirt waistband. That helps. I also have seen dancers tack the silicone stuff that holds up strapless bras (you buy it at the fabric store in strips for a few bucks).

Ooooh cut outs! Lara, did you just wing them or get a book to help? I have to admit I have not been brave enough yet to attempt cutouts. I want to try a few on belts, bras, and especially arm gauntlets!

Originally Posted by Nuriya

Ooooh cut outs! Lara, did you just wing them or get a book to help? I have to admit I have not been brave enough yet to attempt cutouts. I want to try a few on belts, bras, and especially arm gauntlets!

I looked at other costumes first, but I pretty much just winged it- sometimes that approach works, sometimes it doesn't, lol! I really like using swedish tracing paper to work out my designs- it's transparent enough to trace through, drapey enough to manipulate and strong enough you can actually sew it to make sure it's working the way you want it to- and I use scraps when I need a little bit of stiffener/interfacing. Wish I could figure out how to post pictures on bhuz... of course, then I'd have to find batteries for my camera, lol!

Nuriya and Lara, great suggestions! I'm definitely going to look into the clear elastic and silicone to help secure armbands. I would not have thought of that!!

About winging it: did you use the button-stitch along the perimeter of the cut-out and then cut away the extra fabric in the center? That's what i keep hearing to do but I don't know how to use my sewing machine to do that stitch :(

Pathetic huh? I can make crazy costumes with insane beading, fringe, etc, but can't make my sewing machine do much of anything! lol

I've done it 2 ways- Marked it first, and used a tear away embroidery paper to keep it from stretching while I sewed, but I just used a stretch zig zag stitch- never even thought to use the button hole stitch- not even sure if that would work on my machine (I've got one of those computerized things that thinks it is smarter than me!)

I actually liked it better when I cut it out with an exacto knife before hand and turned it under- came out more polished since I wasn't planning on beading the edges. If I beaded the edges, the first method is definitely faster and less stressful! Will have to try the buttonhole stitch. Never stop learning, eh?

I'm determined to make a cut out in a costume soon... I'll let you know how the buttonhole method turns out (I plan to bead the heck out of it!) :)

I have a small stash of fabrics and I purchase beads and fabrics l like in 2 or 3 color groups that I prefer. Then sometime, I put them all together and play around. E-6000 glue rocks, as does FrayCheck.

Take any sewing technique you're good at and play around. Also take any sewing technique or crafting technique you want to try, and play around, to keep your interest.

Tribal belts, headbands, armbands, turbans, necklaces, tikkas, anklets, henna, chokers, earrings. Have fun! The opportunities are endless.