Thread: Question regarding making a costume

Hello (dipping toe in water),

Is this the right forum to ask some experienced people about how to make a certain piece of costume?

Thank you!

Yes, ask away, there is a LOT of collective sewing wisdom here.

Wow, thank you for the prompt response.

Let me preface this by saying that this costume is not for belly dancing, however, it has a lot of elements resembling a belly dance bra. It is a costume worn for a demonstration by my favorite Argentine tango dance, Alejandra Martiñan.

(I've included a crummy picture as a frame of reference...as well as the URL to the video where the costume can be seen).



I would want to make something similar, with a different color scheme to match my darker skin, and a sturdier halter strap since I am quite small chested and petite (32B).

From what I can see in the picture, the top is built on a bra but covered in some kind of pleated chiffon fabric, with a beaded trim, beaded center, but with the same fabric extending down from the bra in a flowy way. I'm wondering first and foremost if I can just use a padded bra that already fits me for this since I don't want to overpad and fall out of the costume...Next, I wonder how I would go about covering the cups, and attaching the flowy fabric that extends down from the bra...

As for the back, when I look at the video, it looks as though it's some kind of stretchy satin, but I'm not sure...and I wonder how well it would hold. Perhaps an elastic covered in matching stretch satin with hook closure?

Having done a bunch of online research, I've found that the techniques used to make belly dancing bras could definitely be used to construct this outfit, but perhaps with much less beading and perhaps a less structured cup...in classic salon tango, we dance in a very close embrace (sometimes chest to chest), so a stiff top wouldn't work. Connection is very important in tango, so it's crucial to be able to "feel" your partner. However, with all the lifts and tricks, the top would really need to hold, especially for someone with very little boobage like myself.

SO, I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds here by asking a non belly dancing related question. Thank you in advance for any sort of advice you can provide!

Whew, awesome dancing! Thx for sharing the clip. Back to costuming queries. IMO the top seems to be a soft bra with a bib-type midriff cover, for lack of a better phrase. The midriff cover appears to have been cut on the bias in order to create the delicate flare. The skirt could be almost any light to medium weight fabric, I believe it is also cut on the bias. You could utilize a nonsheer tricot, lightweight lycra, crepe backed satin or even silk. If you wanted the fitted in the waist I would consider a zipper and several well-placed darts. There are patterns available to guide you through the process. Initally I would consider making a prototype prior to utilizing the actual final product fabric. Once you perfect the process the actual skirt and top probably would not be time-consuming.

Originally Posted by showtime

IMO the top seems to be a soft bra with a bib-type midriff cover, for lack of a better phrase. The midriff cover appears to have been cut on the bias in order to create the delicate flare.

So, would you
1) cover the cups
2) add the trim and center beading
3) THEN add the "bib" midriff cover
4) put on the halter and back strap
??

On in a different order?

Originally Posted by showtime

The skirt could be almost any light to medium weight fabric, I believe it is also cut on the bias. You could utilize a nonsheer tricot, lightweight lycra, crepe backed satin or even silk. If you wanted the fitted in the waist I would consider a zipper and several well-placed darts. There are patterns available to guide you through the process.

I think the skirt may be done in a similar pattern to the skirts on this website, which hangs low on the waist and is essentially a wrap around with a button, but with a gather and beading at the rump.
Satin skirts

Do you think I should make it an A line or a trumpet?

Originally Posted by showtime

Initially I would consider making a prototype prior to utilizing the actual final product fabric. Once you perfect the process the actual skirt and top probably would not be time-consuming.

Good idea, thank you!

Originally Posted by HAM

So, would you
1) cover the cups
2) add the trim and center beading
3) THEN add the "bib" midriff cover
4) put on the halter and back strap
??

On in a different order?



I think the skirt may be done in a similar pattern to the skirts on this website, which hangs low on the waist and is essentially a wrap around with a button, but with a gather and beading at the rump.
Satin skirts

Do you think I should make it an A line or a trumpet?



Good idea, thank you!

If you bought the skirt in the link it would certainly give you a headstart on the costume. That definitey is a stunning skirt. Plus you could tweak the next one, if you opted to work with that design concept. A trumpet skirt is flattering on most body types but I think you would be challenged to create something that would be more flattering than the ones in your link, especially for Tango. (I might order one for personal use. I have to think about these legs but the style is so lovely.) An a-line skirt could be useful. Any type skirt you select you might want to cut it on the bias so the flow is superb. Makes a huge difference.

Re the top. If you prefer not to work around the bib-style midriff cover then attach it later or add it when you cover the bra and roll it into a small area and pin it out of the way. Once beading is completed just release the bib. Of course you could include a bit of decoration on the bib, if that suits you. Personally I prefer all parts be attached to a bra prior to beading. That includes neck and chest straps. I have not worked with the bib but I have added an asymetrical section of fabric under one cup and beadwork on the other. In my strange head it makes sense to have the big picture as I proceed. But that is just a personal preference. There is not a right or wrong to the process, just what works best for each individual. I like to have the option of looking at the entire bra all along, in case I need to tweak something as I proceed. That is a lesson I learned the hard way, I had to remove and rework a great deal of beadwork due to not stepping back and reviewing my concept all along. Just because it seemed like a good idea did not mean it would translate well into reality.

Be sure to post pix of your progress. I have viewed the clip several times, I do enjoy their Tango. And her skirt - awesome. I might have to order one just to prove to myself that it is as lovely as it appears online.

Originally Posted by showtime

If you bought the skirt in the link it would certainly give you a headstart on the costume.

Good idea...maybe just a simple black silk skirt to begin with.

Originally Posted by showtime

Re the top. If you prefer not to work around the bib-style midriff cover then attach it later or add it when you cover the bra and roll it into a small area and pin it out of the way. Once beading is completed just release the bib. Of course you could include a bit of decoration on the bib, if that suits you.

I was thinking of cutting the fabric for the bib in two sections (as it seems to have been done on the original costume), on the bias as you suggest, and drape/pleat and sew the top of that fabric on each bra cup...THEN add the straps, as you suggested, and then bead the cups and the center piece. Then the bib fabric would just flow out from underneath the beading and stitching on the cup. Makes sense?

Originally Posted by showtime

Be sure to post pix of your progress.

Will do! I've already chosen an old padded bra of mine for the test run.

Originally Posted by showtime

I have viewed the clip several times, I do enjoy their Tango.

Here's another clip of Aoniken Quiroga (they call him "el gordo" (the fat one) and Alejandra Martiñan...they move so well together, and you should see the awesome costume she's got in this one!

Here's my blog post (with pics!) of my work in progress...

Not one word out of you! | Ok, maybe a few words…

I don't quite know how to solve the "not great fit" issue at the moment. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I've removed all the connecting straps...2012-08-14 15.39.11.jpg

Originally Posted by showtime

There are patterns available to guide you through the process. Initally I would consider making a prototype prior to utilizing the actual final product fabric. Once you perfect the process the actual skirt and top probably would not be time-consuming.

Just be sure to use a prototype fabric that's similar to the final fabric in terms of weave and weight. For example if your final fabric is a stretchy lycra, use a stretchy knit to make the prototype.

Originally Posted by AlenaSelene

Just be sure to use a prototype fabric that's similar to the final fabric in terms of weave and weight. For example if your final fabric is a stretchy lycra, use a stretchy knit to make the prototype.

Ok thanks for the tip! I'm still a costume making rookie...