Thread: Suggestions to jazz this costume up...

I had a friend make this costume for me, it's super comfortable and I love it, but it needs more bling... what would you suggest I add to it? I am not a seamstress by any means, and need simple suggestions please.

Well the red color of the veil looks great with the costume. I'd get some red chiffon and do simple ruching band with the red chiffon on the top edge of the bra, and add a long 1/4 circle panel hanging down from the hip with a broach or applique on top at the hip.

ABs - and lots of 'em! Maybe a row (straight or wavy) around the waist, a big one in the center of the medallion thingies (on hip and dangling from the bra) and maybe some smaller ones dotted over the bra? If you're adding red (great idea, by the way!), maybe mix in some red shiny sparklies as well? Gold sequins would be nice too around the hem and leg slit...or even black or brown (hard to tell what the darker color is) ones - just something to add some shine!

Lesedi, that is so cool how you added that to the photo! Thanks!

And yes, crystals of course. I just wasn't sure how to add to the bra, make a design or just add them along the edge?

I was thinking just dot them all over (medium size ones) - maybe then some larger ones along the edge...

Could you add a wider band of trim to the upper edges of the bra and belt? Some Turkish costumes are fairly streamlined with wide, decorative edging (can't find an example now, but thinking of that classic velvet style). Apparently Hoda is also experimenting with a similar type of edging Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com. I don't know how hard it would be to match the existing trim with large gems in your price range, though.

The costume is brown with black. These are all great ideas, thanks everyone

If you are interested in beading, you can go in with beads and bead around the edges of some of the spots. You can also put random gold crystals on some of them.

{{{HUGS}}}

Just judging by this one photo I'd say get rid of the brown looking trim and replace it with gold trim or beads and rhinestones dotted along the waistband and maybe a few randomly sewn on the bra.

Originally Posted by mim

Just judging by this one photo I'd say get rid of the brown looking trim and replace it with gold trim or beads and rhinestones dotted along the waistband and maybe a few randomly sewn on the bra.

Agreed. Or just add some sparkly gold/rhinestones to the existing brown trim. Love the red, too, though.

It looks like you're for a simpler look with this costume so I suggest getting some SS20 Swarovski hotfix crystals in Volcano! You can focus on details (on the waistline, the tops of the bra) or you can space them out over your entire costume!

Hi Jewels! You could add appliques. They are super easy to sew and can really add sparkle with little time and hassle. Have you checked out the Fabric Depot on 122nd and Stark? They have periodic sales on their bridal stock (of which appliques are considered) for 40% and also have e coupons. They have a variety of colors. I like the red, and I also like everyone's suggestions. I guess it just depends on what kind of look you're going for. You could take your costume to Fabric Depot and play with their sample appliques--they have a full length mirror in the bridal section and see if it gives you any ideas. They also have some fabulous sparkly costume fabrics!

Truthfully, I've be very tempted to use the set as a base for a an anchient reflections set, or something similar, like this one on Dahlal:



Relatively easy, minimal sewing, It would really pop, but it will definitely give the costume more of an old school flavor, you'd lose the sleek and modern thing going on now.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Well the red color of the veil looks great with the costume. I'd get some red chiffon and do simple ruching band with the red chiffon on the top edge of the bra, and add a long 1/4 circle panel hanging down from the hip with a broach or applique on top at the hip.

The adding of the red reminds me a lot of a costume I have. It was gold on a black background. I added gold appliques, red and gold fringe (I bought it that way) and red fabric accents.

2011-06-30 15.23.22.jpg

Shems, that is such an interesting idea, I would never have thought of adding a coin bedlah to it. Hmm.

Norma, I love the look of that costume!

Could you clarify what the texture of the costume's fabric is? I can't tell from the picture if it's a velour or a Lycra with some sort of surface treatment or a textured knit or something else.

I've wondered about the interaction of coins with surface-treated Lycras (e.g., metallics, foils, dots, etc.). Do the coins encourage the surface to wear off? I have a couple of pieces of metallic Lycra that I bought when it showed up on the remnant table, but I've been hesitant to make it up, because I've heard horror stories (although more concerning sweat than friction) that the surface deteriorates over time, especially on the lower-end fabrics.