Have you ever considered making a costume out of....

[Whisper]

a dress or a gown? I've been on the hunt for something to wear on an upcoming cruise and I'm guessing that seeing something and thinking "Oh, that would make a pretty belly dance dress" is a symptom of being a belly dancer?

[kina]

check out the "what are you working threads...

[TediThomas]

Why yes I have, many times. (Now if I'd just get any of them actually done.) I loved the time I found a lovely silk beaded and sequined dress on sale for $25 at JC Penney's. As I was purchasing it, the sales lady wanted to know what I was going to wear it for. I told her I was going to "chop it apart" and make an outfit out of it. I thought she was going to faint.

[vilia]

Yes...almost. When I was getting engaged I had been drooling over a dress in a consignment store .... yes a consignment store, that was just beyond my budget. One evening, I discovered it in my closet! My fiance had gone and bought it for me! Someone was giving us an engagement party and it didn't fit perfectly, so I made some fairly major adjustments, including adding strands of beads at the shoulders and neck, and wore it to the party. I was telling everyone I couldn't keep the bellydancer out of my choice of clothing.

It still hangs in my closet today, but doesn't fit me anymore. If it did, I'd be wearing it as a costume. It's royal blue sequin fabric with white and silver beaded accents and would be perfect for the stage. At the time I made it, dresses weren't as popular and I was still only interested in two piece costumes.

[Whisper]

"Chop it apart" - I could imagine the look on her face.

This too came from a consignment shop for $20. I'm either going to wear it on the cruise or make a dress costume. It's a gorgeous shade of salmon with iridescent salmon bugle beads and I can just imagine floating across the dance floor in it. Halter, low back, all beading is done on the georgette which is only attached to the sheath around bra. Slight train but that's easy enough to hem. I really love how the beading trails off down towards the bottom....I'm picturing somehow making my torso bare under the georgette to resemble mesh but how?

[tahiradancer]

I have done this a couple of times. I had a black gown which I added fringe to, a MOB dress which became a bedlah and skirt, a red dress which became a halter top and seperate skirt.

So, yes, it is a symptom.

Now, conversely, for a long time I wouldn't wear beaded evening gowns when I went out because the moment I told someone I belly danced, I was inevitably asked for a demo. When I turned around and asked them for their services for free, they stopped asking1

{{{HUGS}}}

[Whisper]

Check this out:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...eningDress.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...veDressHem.jpg

[resullivan]

I certainly have thought of it. Haven't done it yet. But I also know others who are thinking about it too. But I have a royal blue to sew and the turquoise to finish mending, so no new projects for me yet.

[Whisper]

I'm being so indecisive. Maybe I'll wear it on the cruise and THEN make it a costume...

If anyone has experience / suggestions on turning an evening dress into a belly dance dress, please share!!!

[jaziri]

I have a couple I've converted. One old prom dress turned into blue satin harem pants, with the velvet top becoming an under-bra vest and belt. A red beaded gown with an open back from a local second hand store got slits up the side, combined with pants/leggings and a gold belt, there I go, good with my cane. A slinky black stretchy velvet one gets paired with varied belts and shawls, though is more of a simpler thing. Another tight black one got medallions with beaded fringe put around it. And finally the somewhat loose black with gold and silver and copper beaded sunburst things all over it, ready to go except the belt.

For many years we made our own costumes, and I got something really positive out if it. Yes, I did beaded fringe, but only 5 inch stuff. It took a while, but was very personalized. Of course I am not making my living dancing, which might entail other costuming choices.

[crystalllized]

I visit Ross right after "prom season" and get incredible deals on prom dresses. I cut them in half and wear the bottom as a skirt and fashion the top into arm bands/headband/bra trim... Pair with a silver or gold bra/belt set and you get a whole new skirt set for under $40!

I would hate to cut that beautiful cruise dress though...maybe you can bead a "belt" over it and use it as a full Egyptian dress.

Have fun!

[Whisper]

Hi Crystalllized - love the name. My idea is to do just that - make it look like an Egyptian dress. I don't think I could cut the georgette with all the beading without it it all falling off. Because the sheath is not attached to this beaded overlay, my thought was to make that the skirt and bra-look, leaving a bare midriff under the beaded georgette for that mesh panel illusion. Make sense?

[Marianna]

I do it all the time. It saves time and money. It's best if you get a dress that has strechy fabric (there's a lot of them out there with sparkly print on them), cut off at the waist. You now have the kirt, you can put a slit in it, and you can just put a bra and belt over it. From the top part you can make sleeves and headband.

What I also did was completely beaded the hip part and made a bra out of the top part of the dress. I still had enough left over for a headband and armbands.

[nitewindz]

Originally Posted by Whisper

a dress or a gown? I've been on the hunt for something to wear on an upcoming cruise and I'm guessing that seeing something and thinking "Oh, that would make a pretty belly dance dress" is a symptom of being a belly dancer?

Yup this one is from 2 identical $10 dresses (from Dots, maybe?) One for the dress, one for the gauntlets & lots of extra fabric. The fringe is dyed chainette. The model is my lovely niece!

[shaynaz]

yes, i have done many times as well. One dress i wore and just added a belt to it!! the other dress i had to extend it to fit. And one i made bra and belt out of...let me dig up pix and ill post. i also have an evening dress in my closet waiting to be torn apart....i just havent had time yet!!! but i will!!!!

[ozma]

Are there things that I haven't considered making a bellydance costume out of?

Get the dress, wear it a few times. When it falls out of rotation or you haven't worn it for 6 months, make a costume from it.