What happened to the "what are you working on" thread.

[meissoun]

So we can post our non-bellydance creations too? Because that red/white bedlah I started working on AGES ago still sits in the drawer...
Instead I made this:



Having costumes done by Indian taylors can be quite a pain, so I decided to make it myself so I would have the colors I want and the right size (which are both things that seem to be very difficult to do for them... )


I used a simple blue choli that I had done in Mumbai (with matching long pants for under the skirt) and covered it with sari material. Actually, there went 2 saris into the skirt to make it really full.
Then I added borders that I bought in Mumbai and Swarowski stones from Istanbul
So I hot-fixed the nights away...

I am really glad about the way this turned out!

MEISSOUN

[acmcgraw]

It's lovely Meissoun! I love your color and trim choices!

[firefly5]

Wow, that is simply beautiful, gorgeous colours, and so perfect on you!

[mekyria]

Love it! Clean lines in the design, but still a lot of sparkle and decoration. Where did you take these pictures? I like the background, is it an Indian dance studio?

[meissoun]

It's in an Indian restaurant here in Zurich. Actually, we first shot the performance for my new DVD in there (after moving around many tables and chairs) and then we took some pictures.
I had my eyes on that restaurant for many months and was very happy when they agreed to let me film there.

MEISSOUN

[dancewithmeela]

Oh my God that is gorgeous! you are very talented!

[dancewithmeela]

For beading I use bead needles and regular thread. I only bead the top layer of the costume. The only time I push the needle all the way through the cups is to anchor the knot (and hide it) and to tie it off. I find this reduces the cup shrinkage to have less threads there.

[dancewithmeela]

Is Peach with hearts. I don't have a closeup of it yet.

[dancewithmeela]

This is the purple set I am working on...

[dancewithmeela]

This one is orangey red and pearl made from an old Kurta... and the belt, both are still in progress.

[dancewithmeela]

And this one is a Silver one made from a child's Lengha... It is actually more finished than you can see in this picture...

[mekyria]

hi meela,
it seems like you get a lot of isnpiration by working with sari fabrics. Do you have connections in India to send you all kinds of gorgeous fabrics? Meela, if you post, could you post all of your costumes/text in one message instead of 6 seperate one? It makes it easier to view the whole thread.

I'm working my way through my fabric stash and I finished making a summerdress from a purple 70ies print crepe georgette. Unfortunatly, the dress didn't turn out eh way I wanted it to so I figured I might as well do something fun with the left overs.

Aiming at modern Caïro design with gathered fabric on top, with rhinestone chain. I'm thinking about adding chunky beaded swags instead of the straight Egyptian fringe that I had in mind. What would bhuzzers do?

[deelybopper]

Mekyria - that looks like it's going to shape up to be a gorgeous bedlah! I would go for chunky swags instead of fringe.
D

[dancewithmeela]

Originally Posted by mekyria

hi meela,
it seems like you get a lot of isnpiration by working with sari fabrics. Do you have connections in India to send you all kinds of gorgeous fabrics? Meela, if you post, could you post all of your costumes/text in one message instead of 6 seperate one? It makes it easier to view the whole thread.

I'm working my way through my fabric stash and I finished making a summerdress from a purple 70ies print crepe georgette. Unfortunatly, the dress didn't turn out eh way I wanted it to so I figured I might as well do something fun with the left overs.

Aiming at modern Caïro design with gathered fabric on top, with rhinestone chain. I'm thinking about adding chunky beaded swags instead of the straight Egyptian fringe that I had in mind. What would bhuzzers do?

Actually I tend to search on ebay for used salwar and kameez (spelt wrong I am sure). I like the fact that I can remove the beadwork and add it to constumes, and well I am cheap so the more inexpensive the better! lol. Your belt looks great.

[banatsusan]

My latest project involves one of my older projects I made this bra and belt set from an old silk evening gown and have worn it a few times but now am thinking of modernizing it. I want to add some color into the design, larger rhinestones, and maybe change the fringe or add some "chunky" stuff into the existing fringe. I got some gray velvet to make a mermaid skirt and am going to try making a mesh top for the bra. Hmmm...hard to describe exactly what kind of top but I saw Amani in a video clip wearing a mesh top with sleeves over a bra and I really liked how it looked so that's what I'm going to try. Wish me luck!

[Azeeza]

Susan:

WOW! Is that gorgeous! Looks so professionally made!

Good job,

Azeeza

[Salima]

This is my newest work I made for a dance-friend.
Now only the bra is ready.
Best regards
Salima

[auraevans]

Susan, that white is beautiful!

Salima, that is gorgeous. I cant' believe all of the gorgeous costumes on this board!

[Marianna]

I've been dying for a Pharaonics Tempest costume, o finally I just made one of my own. At least it's similar.
It only took me 2 weeks, I was very motivated. I love it, it's one of the most comfortable costumes.

I'm making another one right now, similar in style, but a little different. (lime green and turqoise)

I can't add attachments, not sure why, so I'll just post a link to my site (warning - music)
[url="http://www.marianna.cc"]

[ozma]

I can see the end of this project. It's a commissioned bedlah for a local dancer and it is the ONLY bead-intense style I will ever be doing as a commission. Back to tribaret and tribal stuff after this.

The bra is mostly finished as well.

[bellydancerinfo]

finally finished:



more info:
http://shakemyday.com/sarah/costume_26.html