Thread: I'm making a website - how to make costumes

What a great question Alexa

Originally Posted by Alexa

Just thought of a question: do you have any recommendations for how many beads/sequins you should buy for a particular project? I know that depends on so many factors, but maybe you could say how many you end up using for your Faux Bella? I would have no concept how to estimate how many I needed in advance.

That's a great question to ask, and a hard one to answer. My gold bedlah (which I posted pictures of in the August what-are-you-working-on post) took two whole large bags of Miyuki size 11 hex cut seed beads, but for the life of me I can't remember how big the bags were. Maybe 500 grams each? But that costume is on the extreme end of the spectrum of taking a lot of beads.

For the blue costume I bought the same type of beads in silver, but they were sold in 250 gram bags. The volume of 250 grams of these beads is about the size of an apple. I haven't used even half of the silver ones yet though. I'm hoping 250 grams will be enough.

I just bought a 250 gram bag of the gunmetal blue hex cuts to help with this project. I'm sure I won't need all of those, since I'm reusing a lot of the blue ones already on the costume. But whatever I don't use on this one, I'll use on another costume. I have a purple one in mind that could look really nice with dark blue touches.

Wholesale Beads and Jewelry Making Supplies - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is a good supplier for hex cuts in bulk.

Here's the latest installment of my Blue Faux-Bella costume alteration video tutorial on YouTube. I'm sorry so much time passed between the previous video and this one - I had been working on making arm accessories for my Gold Filigree bedlah in time for Rakkasah East.

woot woot- I've been checking youtube for the next installment. yah us!

annoyed for whatever reason my computer won't play the video as it is embedded- the space is there- and the sound will play if I click on it- but I have just a big open background coloured space LOL. Ah well- easy solution to open in a new window.

Thanks for posting up! Really good to know my interfacing belt thing is right- cause mine looks like that too- and the first time I did it- I was really worried about the pointy factor of the darts trying to curve to such a ... ahem exaggerated curve!

Originally Posted by Basha

and the first time I did it- I was really worried about the pointy factor of the darts trying to curve to such a ... ahem exaggerated curve!

If you're worried about the pointy-ness that the end of darts can make, you can always make a higher number of darts at a shallower angle to get the same overall curve. The point comes from having a dart with too abrupt of an angle change between the stitches and the fold of the belt. Or, like me, you can just curve out the end of the dart.

If that doesn't make sense to read (and it might not) I can upload a sketch.

no it does- it makes perfect sense- I mostly throw in a few extra darts- but I have only done a few of these so I have no "method" to speak of really.

But I fear I'm a bit of a bull in a china shop sometimes when it comes to this stuff. I get a bit impatient and I hate taking things out-so I just force the issue if something doesn't fit quiet right. bad sewer bad!

The last one I did or am currently working on- its okay- I have that super thick interfacing- and I think I did 3 darts. I get the feeling its going to be to shallow at the bottom.

The very first one I did I had to throw out- it scooped nicely when it was on- and was great but it kind of wound up being a full on bowl... a very very stiff bowl. I was like WTF am I supposed to do with that!!!

I am NOT good at this that is for sure and certain!!!

this thread is so informative. thanks!

I've added a new page describing how I made my Gold Filigree Bedlah. A link to this page and others can be found on the Shushanna Designs: Costume Projects I've Made page.

Shushanna Designs: The Gold Filigree Bedlah

For anyone who likes my Free Online Costuming Tutorials, and lives within an easy distance of Newark, Delware - I'll be teaching a Costuming Workshop on February 19th.

I'll give a lecture and Q&A session on how to make and embellish bellydance costumes. Bring costuming projects you're working on if you have questions about them. Topics to be discussed include Covering a Bra, Trumpet Skirts, Circle Skirts, and Beading methods (and more as time allows). I'll bring examples of my own work so you can see them in person.

Well, if you're EVER in Austin, TX. ..............

Originally Posted by brokentiles

Well, if you're EVER in Austin, TX. ..............

Lol! That would be awesome! If my day job has me go to any cities in the near future, I'll have to see about hooking up a time and space with any interested local dancers.

Shushanna, I have to mention how hilarious I found it that you measured your beading effort in "murder she wrotes" on Netflix streaming. One of the last hand craft projects I did was measured in "midsummer murders"!

Originally Posted by tigerb

Shushanna, I have to mention how hilarious I found it that you measured your beading effort in "murder she wrotes" on Netflix streaming. One of the last hand craft projects I did was measured in "midsummer murders"!

Nice! Now if only "Hercule Poirot" were on Netflix - oh the fabulous Art Deco inspired costumes that would result. lol!

Originally Posted by shushanna

Nice! Now if only "Hercule Poirot" were on Netflix - oh the fabulous Art Deco inspired costumes that would result. lol!

There are some Miss Marple's that were done 200-2005-ish (I think) that have some fantastic period costumes circa 1950...

The next installment of my Half Made Blue Faux Bella projects is up on YouTube!



See this video and the rest of the project here.

Originally Posted by shushanna

Nice! Now if only "Hercule Poirot" were on Netflix - oh the fabulous Art Deco inspired costumes that would result. lol!

Poirot has been recently added on Netflix streaming!

I have two new video installments of the Half-Made Blue Faux-Bella project!

I draw out the shape and size of the front panel of the belt.


And I draw my embellishment pattern, which determines the shape of the edges of the belt.

Lovely site, Shushanna! Congrats! so helpful and inspiring, thanks a million!

Part 13 of the Blue Faux-Bella is up on YouTube. :-)



Check out the whole series in order at Shushanna Designs: The Half-Made Blue Faux-Bella

In Part 14, I've lined the belt panels, attached the front to the back, added my hook and bars, and started lining the bra.

This thread is awesome -- love the videos! Thank you!!!

Your website is sooo amazing!!! I visited it and follow ur instruction and have done my first belly dance bra. Thank u so much!~

I've added a video of me performing in the Half-Made Blue Faux-Bella project costume. See how it turned out.

Shushanna the costume turned out amazing and your dancing is magical. Thanks so much for sharing :-)

Wow, that's gorgeous Shushanna.

Your site is so useful to budding costumers. I refer back to it on a regular basis and always find the answers I need!

I've started a new project - Ivory Assuit. And like the Blue Faux-Bella project, I'm documenting it on YouTube and my website. :-)



I'll also add a page to my website for it. Find out more at Shushanna Designs: How to Make Costumes

Part 2 of the Ivory Assuit Costume Project