Thread: What are you working on in November 2011?

I'm really close to being finished with my Berry Paisley costume. The bra is done except for hooks and lining. The belt is almost finished and I still need to bead the edges of the headband and armbands. And, hem the skirt. This has been fun to work on, but I don't think it will suit me all that well. I'm probably going to put it up for sale when its finished.

Originally Posted by shahla

I'm really close to being finished with my Berry Paisley costume. The bra is done except for hooks and lining. The belt is almost finished and I still need to bead the edges of the headband and armbands. And, hem the skirt. This has been fun to work on, but I don't think it will suit me all that well. I'm probably going to put it up for sale when its finished.

that is very beautiful Shahla, wow, nice!

Originally Posted by shahla

I'm really close to being finished with my Berry Paisley costume. The bra is done except for hooks and lining. The belt is almost finished and I still need to bead the edges of the headband and armbands. And, hem the skirt. This has been fun to work on, but I don't think it will suit me all that well. I'm probably going to put it up for sale when its finished.

I love that confetti beading effect!

Thanks Ezma and Bea. That means alot coming from two ladies with such good taste in costumes. I'm hoping to get it done enough over the Holiday break to get a body pic in it. Maybe by Sunday. I've got 1.5 circles on the belt to finish beading. The arms bands, headband and lining shouldn't take long.

Not sure if this link will work, and this is actually something I finished last month...
This is a great dress I bought from the Belly Dance Store a long time ago, but it needed major fixing. It was originally a C/D cup, and I needed to enlarge it to a DD. Shahrzad gave me a spare headband that was black with silver beading, and I reinforced it and added green beading to match the dress. The little row of rhinestones on the cups was the original edge. Manage to resolve the other issues, and here it is, finally!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Not sure if this link will work, and this is actually something I finished last month...
This is a great dress I bought from the Belly Dance Store a long time ago, but it needed major fixing. It was originally a C/D cup, and I needed to enlarge it to a DD. Shahrzad gave me a spare headband that was black with silver beading, and I reinforced it and added green beading to match the dress. The little row of rhinestones on the cups was the original edge. Manage to resolve the other issues, and here it is, finally!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

you look stunning in that dress!

Wow Shahla, I am curious to see it on the body...

Originally Posted by shahla

I'm really close to being finished with my Berry Paisley costume. The bra is done except for hooks and lining. The belt is almost finished and I still need to bead the edges of the headband and armbands. And, hem the skirt. This has been fun to work on, but I don't think it will suit me all that well. I'm probably going to put it up for sale when its finished.

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

you look stunning in that dress!

Thanks, Ezma!

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

you look stunning in that dress!

I agree. Beautiful work, beautiful costume, beautiful dancer.

By December 11th I need to obtain a purple belly dance costume. I have 1.1m purple lycra with gold paisley, matching gold sequins, an old bra, and two weeks in which to create a costume!

Originally Posted by Luccia

Thank you for compliments :) There is no secret, it is just a heck of a job :) First I draw the motif on tha paper, and adjust it to the bra, then I draw design to the bra and after beading is done I cut openings/cut outs and sew edges by hand and reinforce with the wire.
I am sorry for my english. Picture is worth 1000 words :)

This is really cool technique! I always wondered how it's done. Do you layer it on something afterward? I can't wait to see the final product. Thank you for sharing your idea, really good work!

November I've been working on this peacock costume for one of the bhuzers. I had hard times getting inspiration, but with help and ideas of my client it's finally coming along ;o)

Originally Posted by Dilyara

November I've been working on this peacock costume for one of the bhuzers. I had hard times getting inspiration, but with help and ideas of my client it's finally coming along ;o)

BEAUTIFUL!!!

As always, loving everything that you bhuzzers put up here. It's wonderful seeing so many design styles, colors, and projects from easy to difficult.

Well you all are going to have to wait for pictures, but I'm making a special costume for myself, because I'm pregnant! eeeeeee! (but don't say anything on facebook if you know me there... we still have to tell a few more people first).

I'll be performing in a big hafla show at around 6 months pregnant (which will be early March), so I'll need something that will accommodate all of me. I have some scrap stretch, crushed, fire-engine red velvet left over from another project. I'm going to make a banadeau style top that can go over whatever bra happens to fit me at the time and a "belt" that will just be a stretch pullover that I can wear over my skirts. I'll ruche the belt on one side over a leg and do lots of spot fringes all over... debating between doing all red fringes or all gold fringes or a mix of the 2 or perhaps do copper and red... I'll be wearing a super full red multi circle skirt with a 3/4 circle red and chocolate burnout skirt over top of it. I'll also do some spot beading here and there on the "belt" and bra to make it a little more glam but quick and not so heavy.

I know I'm bad at getting pictures up here, but should have these up as soon as I get them done... I'm going to be proud of my baby bump and probably going to want to show the world, so hopefully that will be motivation enough for me to get pictures up here. lol

Anyone wear a self-made costume for pregnancy? I'd love to see pictures!

I just finished making my secret habibi's present!

nothing like last minute...
need to make a highland costume for my ever-growing daughter,
and a glittery-bedazzeled water theme'd halter style (?) top for me.

and we both need them by 10am on saturday!!!!!!!!
Oh, and I've got a monkey order almost done that has to be shipped monday.

and then I'll quickly finish up my habibi's gift.

send me good sewing vibes!!!!

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

I just finished making my secret habibi's present!

Me "aussi", well almost, this is so much fun!

I'll be starting work on my secret habibi's present this weekend as the 'materials' arrived today!!! So excited, they're gorgeous!

Originally Posted by crystalllized

THanks for the suggestions. I'll have to think on it some more. I kind of want to keep a minimal look, but don't want all the bling just to the gold part.

Maybe if you used small pink crystals on the pink part to add sparkle but not take away from the delicate lace shape?

Originally Posted by Dilyara

November I've been working on this peacock costume for one of the bhuzers. I had hard times getting inspiration, but with help and ideas of my client it's finally coming along ;o)

Love this. I have a huge thing for anything peacock at the moment.

Must be pea brained!

I feel like a kid in a sand pit asking great architects how to build a sandcastle. I don't have the talent that is shown in this thread but I do have patience. Any advice on my current project will gratefully accepted.

I would like a blinged out AB crystal gold bra and belt. I missed the set I had my eye on in the swap meet so I bought a different gold set as a base. Then the one I really wanted came up for sale again. So I now have both and need to choose which project to go with.

Original idea:
This set would need significant structural work to fit me properly. Belt is too straight and soft (I would need to dart it and stiffen it), Cups are way too big and too flat looking (would need decent cups sewn in and reduced somehow).
But the beading allows for easy placement of the bling I planned for it.

I have swarovski AB pears, hundreds of single sew on Ab gold chatons and a heap of AB gold rhinestone chain.

(The silver chain in the pics is only to convey the idea as I'm waiting for the gold AB chain to arrive)





Option 2:
This set fits me much better. Just a slight padding of the bra and tightening of the belt and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this one.
But it is covered with sequins and beading so will be more difficult to put my stones on.

I was thinking of only sewing on one end of the pears leaving the other end loose, or perhaps adding a little beaded dangle to each one?

Or to part the fringe and sew them down completley?



I'm leaning towards option 2 but I don't think it is going to look as elegant as my original plan. Then again I don't fancy all the structural work the other one needs. I can bead and sew stones for hours but lack tailoring skills.

Personally, Bijoux, I like the first set - the added bling looks like it adds to the overall elegance, and doesn't look out of place. It might be more of a pain in the ass, but I think that it will be worth it. Really, stiffening it and adding better cups is not that big of a deal. Shushanna's tutorials should help you.

To me, the second one is missing something with the idea that you have here. I would rethink it, but that's just my opinion.

I agree with MirahmarArati. I think the first one looks great with the stones and I like the costume a lot more than the second one. The second one is just a basic icicles and I think it would be fine on it's own and doesn't need any alterations. What I have done for a basic icicles set (and a couple of other bhuzzers like Tanya and Ozma) is to make a chunky beaded look with those costumes.

My album is here: Gold and Blue Airport Special pictures by andalee-oriental - Photobucket
Ozma's is here: Almost Aiport-Special: June 22-September 14 | Facebook

Just an idea!

Originally Posted by MirahmarArati

Personally, Bijoux, I like the first set - the added bling looks like it adds to the overall elegance, and doesn't look out of place. It might be more of a pain in the ass, but I think that it will be worth it. Really, stiffening it and adding better cups is not that big of a deal. Shushanna's tutorials should help you.

To me, the second one is missing something with the idea that you have here. I would rethink it, but that's just my opinion.

You are right. I think in the back of my mind I knew it, but didn't fancy the scope of the project.
If I put the effort in, it will be a great costume but I have a lot of reading to do first.

I'm sure I will back in this thread looking for advice as I get into it.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I agree with MirahmarArati. I think the first one looks great with the stones and I like the costume a lot more than the second one. The second one is just a basic icicles and I think it would be fine on it's own and doesn't need any alterations. What I have done for a basic icicles set (and a couple of other bhuzzers like Tanya and Ozma) is to make a chunky beaded look with those costumes.

My album is here: Gold and Blue Airport Special pictures by andalee-oriental - Photobucket
Ozma's is here: Almost Aiport-Special: June 22-September 14 | Facebook

Just an idea!

It is a great idea. The dangly pears would just look wrong, but taking off the sequins and adding tightly packed beaded clusters in the spaces would be awesome. It is also the sort of work that I can tackle with confidence.

Thanks for sharing the photos and ideas. It is the perfect solution.

Now to choose a complementary colour to work with...

LOL I have ended up with two projects for my summer holidays. Lots of sewing evenings in front of the TV.


Maybe I'll sew the stones on the first one as planned then sell it to someone who will fit it as is instead of cutting it to fit me.

I am driving myself nuts by rehabbing a vintage thingy…currently sewing sequins on chiffon. I don't think it's too much fun

LOVE that berry paisley! I have 5 more costumes to share. But only pics of 2. I love making costumes for larger dancers. Not just cause we need costumes too and very few vendors supply them but because they are hot hot ladies who can really strut their stuff and can sometimes dance skinny chicks right off the stage. So here is Pinky Tuscadero. And then I did a very very silver one for a bhuzzer.

Originally Posted by Qamar60

My friend purchased a pretty costume from a bhuzzer from Finland, sorry I can't find the post but here is the seller pic (hoping she doesn't mind )



But we though the bra needed a touch of black to complete que whole frilly Spanishy look, so I add a black tiny frill to the bra and a few black hot fix stones (as well as a few on the skirt).

"Edited": Oh, and you can also see that I add a little piece of the same fabric (savalge from the headband) in the middle of the bra to make it less "plunging" I decorated it with a few sequins and beads to blend everything. Voilà!



I will post a fresh pic of my friend trying it on, she cute as a button in it! But the shot is still in my camera...

wow, this came out really cool! Love it

Originally Posted by Qamar60

Here's a fresh pic of my friend Sharon's new costume with very little adjustements and alterations.

We didn't realized while taking the pic that she was posing in the same position as "Fatima" my vintage mannequin! Lol!



Still the skirt is a wee bit loose on her tiny hips when she dance in it, so I'll pull the elastics in the back an inche or so.

Tonigh a have a customer coming with a new Egyptian costume, she wants me to add a belly drape of beads to her bra to cover a bit her belly.

Keeping you posted!

OMG! This looks so much better on Sharon than it did on me, I'm glad the costume found a great home

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Well you all are going to have to wait for pictures, but I'm making a special costume for myself, because I'm pregnant! eeeeeee! (but don't say anything on facebook if you know me there... we still have to tell a few more people first).

Congratulations Lesedi!!!