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

katinabd · 05-09-2007, 02:36 PM

Hello Ladies. I was really enjoying the " What are you working on now thread. The one where everyone showed the costume projects they were working on. We need to start that up again. That was great inspiration..

mekyria · 05-09-2007, 03:14 PM

It certainly was inspirational! I have to confess that my project hasn''t progressed at all in the meantime. So no new pictures from my sewing projects, but I'd love to see what other people did while I was procrastinating!

auraevans · 05-09-2007, 08:09 PM

oooooh, ya, we need to re-start that thread.

(off to search for images of recent stuff........)

Souzan · 05-10-2007, 07:20 AM

I am retrofitting my first bedlah. It is a "beyond the basic Turkish" set--holographic silver sequins, silver beads with the Turkish raised embellishment in holographic gold in a spiral seawave pattern. Very pretty and really catches the light.

So I am making it more boobage friendly. When I first got it I made new straps from several layers of grosgrain ribbon, covered with silver brocade, padded with felt and then stitched the original shoulder straps on top.

New alterations: Lengthened the straps slightly so I could cross them in back. Removed hooks and eyes from the chest strap and added a bra extender with elastic and replaced the original hooks and eyes with trouser-type closures. The bra extender lets me hook the bra myself using the extender since it stretches and then close it completely with the new closure on the bra itself. Plus the bra extender will act as security should the bra pop open. When the bra is closed the extender does not show at all.

On the belt changed out the hooks and eyes. Adding sueded microfiber lining to both the bra and belt. The original lining was clean and in good shape but the new lining is comfy and grips well.

I thought about adding some rhinestones to the bedlah but after sewing one on I realized that with the holographic beads and sequins the rhinestones just disappeared.

When I get finished with the lining I'll post some pics.

Souzan

ozma · 05-11-2007, 05:49 AM

For two years my present to my friend Anaan has been a custom-made "Tempest" corset belt (using Tempest's pattern) in whatever fabric/style she wants. In 2005 I did an assuit (sp?) belt for her. She didn't ever manage to make the matching bra she'd planed, so she waited to use her next gift (given April 2006) more wisely..a few days ago she sent me a text message asking if she could get a belt done by our next show

We sent mail back and forth. When I started this is what I knew:

I'd be doing a 6 panel corset belt in pale(or bleached-out) barely there earth tones with a general deconstructed look. Deconstructed / distressed seams, some embroidery and a few layers of fabrics. Anaan said "think dirty albino" ...I replied back "So, earthy-ethnic meets great grandmother's unraveling dresses of days gone by?"

And now, a few weeks later, I've finished Anaan's belt. (In time for the show, and more importantly in time for her to travel to Tribal fest and find a top that goes well with it.

The length of the lacing and such will be changed and cleaned up when Anaan wears it. The lacing looks bright white in the photos but it is off white and this will be worn over off-white silk tribal harem pants.

katinabd · 05-12-2007, 07:34 AM

I am glad to see that some of you are responding. Where is everyone else. Ozma I think what made is very interesting and different. I really enjoy seeing other peoples projects.

ozma · 05-12-2007, 08:41 AM

I also finished making/covering a bra and belt that I could attatch a coin cover to.

Mmmm, do I ever look sleepy.

and am awaiting some items for this work in progress:

Khaleela · 05-14-2007, 08:10 AM

Ozma, did you order your bra cups from Sugarpetals or somewhere else?

ozma · 05-14-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khaleela

Ozma, did you order your bra cups from Sugarpetals or somewhere else?

Sugar petals, but they do take forever.

bdaddiction · 05-14-2007, 10:51 AM

Right now I am working on a blouse and vest to cover up a bra that needed to be reconstructed. Show you pics when done!

bdaddiction · 05-14-2007, 10:59 AM

This is what it had started from. Of course the bra didn't fit and I literally took the whole bra apart! The beading, coins, and back bow have be all removed. I had so much extra material and beading from it so it was still worth what I paid for it. I will probably use some on the rest of my creation.

koneko · 05-14-2007, 05:07 PM

Here is what I'm working on http://www.flickr.com/photos/7967431@N05/
A black costume (bra/skirt) that I just started, no good pics of it yet.
Also the ramdom straglers that I don't know if will ever be finished..

chessurecat · 05-14-2007, 06:31 PM

Ooooo...I LOVE looking at other people's projects!! I'm JUST starting a 2 pc assuit set. My fabric came in from Cairo 4 days ago, I haven't finished drafting my patterns yet. Hopefully, I'll have something to post soon.

auraevans · 05-15-2007, 07:23 AM

Here is a headpiece that I made to go with a Bella that I bought. It is stretch velvet like those that some of the Turkish Costumes come with.

auraevans · 05-15-2007, 07:34 AM

Armband to go with the costume I am working on right now

mekyria · 05-16-2007, 01:21 PM

I love the headband and the armband. Do you have more pictures of the matching costume with bleu beading and mirrors? Koneko,
there are some lovely henna designs in your gallery. You're so talented!

sha-ri · 05-17-2007, 01:34 PM

I'm actually working on a blueish-grey with fuchsia-red costume. Found the beads long ago and had to buy them but never found a matching fabric. Then last year I found this pretty velvet and had to buy it and the beads I had matched perfectly! Just finished the belt yesterday, now I still need some sleeves and skirt and it will be ready to use.

antimony · 05-17-2007, 01:47 PM

Oh my god!

That's beautiful!

katinabd · 05-17-2007, 03:58 PM

These are some beautiful things. Wow Sha-ri. You made that from scratch. that is absolutely gorgeous.
Koneko-You have so many fun projects going on. Where did you find all your trims,etc.
Also where do you guys get your inspiration from and how do you go about starting something like this. I really want to get into costuming making becuase I am very ADD and need to be doing something at all times. I think it is good for me to have something to work on with so many details. The only things that i have been making are handbags and that has nothing to do with belly dance at this moment. I have been trying to come up with a belly dance bag to put all that stuff in. We shall see. Keep it coming ladies...

katinabd · 05-17-2007, 04:00 PM

Ozma I really like the fabric you choose. It is very Asian. Cant wait to see it when it is finished.

perizaad · 05-17-2007, 04:08 PM

Sha-ri,

May I ask, how did you go about making your design? Did you just draw it freehand, or did you look for something you liked and went off that design? I love that style, great use of crystals!

PS- what kind of thread/line do you use for your beading? This topic was on another discussion recently...

sha-ri · 05-18-2007, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perizaad

Sha-ri,

May I ask, how did you go about making your design? Did you just draw it freehand, or did you look for something you liked and went off that design? I love that style, great use of crystals!

PS- what kind of thread/line do you use for your beading? This topic was on another discussion recently...

I have different ways of making the designs, first of all I try to find some inspiration, mainly on Bella costumes like what different styles of flower motives do they use, how do their ornaments flow into each other... e.g. it makes a slight different look, wether you do flower motives of teardrop crystals pointing inwards or outwards.

For this costume I worked totally free hand, I only decided where to place the flowers on the bra and belt-front in advance. Other designs I draw first and then draw them on the costume and stitch them, his is when doing symetrical designs like this http://www.olafheeg.de/SHARI/galerie...ot_pastell.jpg .

I use a thread that is known here as "buttonhole thread", I have no idea what it's the translation to english but it is a very thick thread and I use it twofold. You may as well use normal thread (as it is cheaper) and fourfold.

auraevans · 05-18-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mekyria

I love the headband and the armband. Do you have more pictures of the matching costume with bleu beading and mirrors? Koneko,
there are some lovely henna designs in your gallery. You're so talented!

I do not have any photos yet of the rest of the blue and tan costume but I will post some when I do. It isnt finished yet but I am working on it.

auraevans · 05-18-2007, 07:20 AM

Sha-ri;
I wanted to compliment you on your exquisite costume. The dusty colors are beautiful and unusual. I have been so influenced by Egyptian costumes when I design things. But I recently got a couple of Bellas and they are so beautifully done. I want to try and make something with the Turkish design approach. Your work is very inspiring!

auraevans · 05-18-2007, 07:26 AM

Perizaad-
Lately, I use Gutermann heavy duty thread for sewing beads on. It is thick and has a nice weight to it. It is available at Joann Fabrics. As Sha-ri says the heavier stronger threads are more expensive but well worth it. There are also some other threads available at bead stores or online. One is called Silimide and the other is Nymo. They come in different weights/thickness "A" "B" etc. They are both excellent for surface beading.