Thread: My First Bellydance Sewing Project

(yes, the title of this thread is supposed to sound like something from Fisher-Price).

I am taking a beginner's sewing class (And I mean beginner. Like "Before you start sewing, make sure your machine is plugged in). I got tired of spending $80 for stuff and having one of my troupemates say "I could have made that in 20 minutes." We're going to learn a few basic projects in this class, like making a tote bag, and after that, I'm probably going to take Sewing II.

It will probably be a while before I can make anything stageworthy, but I'd like a goal to work toward. At the very least, I could use my prototypes for practices and classes.

Does anyone know some easy bellydance-related projects or patterns? My eyes aren't good enough to look at something yet and tell its level of difficulty. I was thinking of a caftan or some other garment that I could wear as a cover-up that wouldn't need to be fitted.

I would think a caftan would be a good choice. I have made circle skirts, vests, and harem pants, all are pretty easy. Though chiffon and stretch velvet are not the easiest fabrics to work with. And I am not much farther ahead in sewing skills than you are, just a few months ago I was asking "What is a bobbin and why would I want to wind it?"

I'm not a sewer either but my dance friend is and she said harem pants are easy to make.

I would start with a circle skirt....The only difficult part would be hemming the bottom (since you are a beginner I'm sure you don't have a serger)

This was my first bellydance project. I made a tribal like one- out of coton-ish material. It went pretty well, but there's always something that can be perfected.

I don't know if you are wanting to make tribal/cabret costuming stuff or just hipscarf type things for class... That may help with people guiding you!

There's tons of resources out on the internet. goggle stuff or search this forum. tribe also has some very knowledgeable people.

once you know what you wanna do, ask lots of questions and do some research. Draw out your project...
and go for it!

shira.net has good resources, but there are other ways to do things out there too.

I have lots of links. If you decide on a project let me know and I'll try to point u in some direction.

I don't know if you are wanting to make tribal/cabret costuming stuff or just hipscarf type things for class... That may help with people guiding you!

Good point! I do both tribal stuff and cabaret stuff (wanting to do more cabaret stuff). We also do a few ren fests every year and we try to be historically accurate with enteris, etc. Eventually, I'd like to make stuff for stage like skirts, pantaloons, etc. But I have no delusions that my first projects are going to be gorgeous.

I'd go for a circular skirt. Apart from the hemming which is the most challenging and (and most boring) bit, they are quite easy to succeed with. I avoided making one for years, going instead for projects like dance bras (who wants an easy life?).

However, circumstances and troupe costuming have recently forced me to take the plunge and I have been delighted with how it has come out with a minimum of fuss and bother. This is also bearing in mind that I hand sew everything as my background is embroidery and I can't stand the comparative lack of control of using a sewing machine (again with the easy life!)

My main advice for a circular skirt is to beware the amount of fabric it needs (cutting out and manhandling it can be tricky in a tiny house like mine) and I'd try to avoid using any 'luxury' fabrics to start with. I'd be tempted to make a first attempt in something a bit more 'grippy' and well-behaved like a nice cotton.

Another easy first project that my teacher recently suggested to our class is making a nice little dance top by getting a cheap t-shirt, cutting off the bottom and hemming it to make a crop top or choli type garment, hemming it and then having a bit of fun with some nice trim to decorate it.

For what it's worth, I'm not a sewer AT ALL but I've made harem pants with little trouble. I find that with sewing (at least for me) you just have to do it and be prepared to screw up a few (or more than a few) times.

By the way, I think it's awesome that you're taking a sewing class! That's on my list of things to do when I'm done with grad school and have 2 seconds of free time.... (along with learn Arabic, go to Egypt, and get fabulously in shape) ,r:;
Do you find the class helpful??

I don't own a sewing machine and I have made the t-shirt "choli" mentioned above, a circle skirt and a handkerchief skirt as well. For the skirts the handkerchief was the easier because the hems were actually straight so there were no worries about the curved edge. I used some really pretty ribbon on that one to finish off the edge. The circle skirt was easy to make too but I had a hard time hand stitching the hem. Just experiment with different fabrics and styles until you have it the way you want. Perhaps you will be able to use the oops! fabric for another project!

emijaine--I've only had one class so far, but it seems helpful. I really like that she assumed we knew nothing about sewing machines (because most of us were in that boat. It's only a three-week class and I'm taking it through my local adult/community education program.

I decided to take the plunge because I inherited a sewing machine more than a year ago and it has sat in my back room. I've just been putting off getting started. I have a friend who actually took up crochet and it seems really fun and relaxing that I want to do it, too. I made a rule that I couldn't learn to crochet until I learned how to use my sewing machine.

khadiya--thanks for the suggestion about cotton. I went to a fabric store the other day and they have so many cool fabrics out right now that I can see that it'll be very tempting not to jump in with the beautiful brocades and sari fabrics.

Everyone has great suggestions so far.