Major Help in Creating Costumes...

Bellydancefanatic · 12-30-2007, 04:40 PM

It has always been my passion to make my own costumes. I know how to sew (on a machine only though) and am thinking about taking classes for it. What I need is tips, ideas, instruction!

I want to be able to make my own bras and belts. Can I take a regular bra and make it into a bellydance costume masterpiece?

How do you go about making a belt?

First steps in making skirts (mermaid, gypsy, circle) and harem pants?

Does anyone have any costuming workshop videos (or DVDs) and/or books they're willing to sell me?

Can someone with cultural knowledge give me a basic guide in different styles of bellydance costumes and the characteristics of various cultures?

Thanks for your help! I greatly appreciate the feedback in advance!

Bellydancefanatic

emijane · 12-30-2007, 04:47 PM

Oh! I'm so glad you asked this. I've been thinking about the same kinda thing lately.

SamiraShuruk · 12-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Dawn Devine Brown has some of the most useful books out there.
Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian
And on my site, if you scroll down to "costume how-to" there are a few links. Anthea's in particular addresses what you are looking for.
:)

tahiradancer · 12-30-2007, 05:04 PM

Here is a start to answering some of your questions. . .

Can I take a regular bra and make it into a bellydance costume masterpiece?

yes. But read the thread we had here about a week or so ago about making bras. Lots of really good info on that.

How do you go about making a belt?

You draft a pattern, adjust and then make it. Usually you need a couple of layers of fabric including what ever you are using for the 'outter' to give it some body and the streangth to hold hte beads or what ever you are putting on it.

First steps in making skirts (mermaid, gypsy, circle) and harem pants?

once again, the first step is drafting a good pattern. Or finding one. Although circle skirt info is easy to find on the net.

I was actually looking at info on all of these which I had downloaded from Belly Dancing -- Art Of Middle Eastern Dance -- Bellydancing in Iowa City. Shira has worked with DinaLydia, aka the Costume goddess. you should check it out!

Can someone with cultural knowledge give me a basic guide in different styles of bellydance costumes and the characteristics of various cultures?x

Although this will seem a little triate, and know that this is changing alot, here goes:

Turkish costumes have shaped belts and bras. 2 pieces. V fringe. They are generally light weight with lots of cut outs.

Egyptian costumes are usually straight across the front and have a scooped or cupped back to the belts. Fringe is usually short. Also usually heavy.

Two piece are pretty new. Both Turkish and Egyptian do them.

Caberet Dresses are pretty musch an Egyptian invention because of their modesty laws, but there are some lovely ones coming out of Turkey as well.

Lebanese costumes are interesting to me. Genereally full skirts with a short skirt underneath and a lot of leg. Lebonese dancers also seem to be in love with plaqtform heels.

American Cab can be jsut about anythings from beads to coins and a combo (my favorite Amcab bedlah is a vintage gold coin costume made from basically quartes, with chianette fringe and a layer of egyptian fringe. Paired with 2 or three layered 3 panel circle skirts, heaves!) Lots of skirts, lots of layers of fabric. And many times lots of leg.

tribal - Depends on the look and what kind of tribal you are dancing.

Comeon everyone, jump in. I am not the last wordin this.

{{{HUGS}}}

Mintaka · 12-30-2007, 05:05 PM

I make all my own costumes (I only know how to hand sew though), I can maybe post pics if you want of various stages of the process. You can most definately turn a regular bra into a belly dance masterpiece. Davina's Embellished Bras book takes you through it step by step, it is really helpul. Her website is:
Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian
I dont want to sell mine because I love them too much, but they arent too expensive. I think her Style File one is about different styles from different cultures (I havent read it)
This website is also really useful:
Nadya's sewing hints for belly dance / oriental dance costumes;

As for belts I go to a fabric store and get thick interfacing and cut it into a nice shape and then just cover and embellish (well, there are a few more steps but that is the basis). Or you can get premade belt forms from Sugar Petals Dance Accessories Home Page, they are just pieces of interfacing as well and come with covering instructions.

For skirts and pants you can probably get patterns (I dont know how to use patterns or sewing machines, but its probably quicker then my by-hand versions).

Good luck, making costumes is really fun and it saves tons of money!

Souzan · 12-30-2007, 05:05 PM

Many excellent resources for this. Check our the Costume Goddress's books on the subject. Great step by step help on making bras and belts, how to shape both for your figure, embellishment, etc. Also includes instructions on making straight skirts, circle skirts, trumpet skirts, beledi dresses, sleeve drapes, head pieces, etc., etc.

Souzan

anala · 12-30-2007, 05:08 PM

This'll get you started///and good on you! I think this is great!! Old Skool!

Amazon.com: Belly Dance Costume Making: Books: Vicki Corona

Belly Dance Costumes

www.desertmoondance.com/costumes.htm

Belly Dance Costuming

Belly Dancing: Costume Corner

www.amazon.com/Bedlah-Baubles-Beads-Devine-Brown/dp/0967817048 - 208k -

Mintaka · 12-30-2007, 05:08 PM

Wow, I type slow, 3 other people responded in the time it took me to write that! Anyways, here is a website for those of you who use patterns, they have a ton!
Artemis Imports

anala · 12-30-2007, 05:09 PM

This'll get you started///and good on you! I think this is great!! Old Skool!

Amazon.com: Belly Dance Costume Making: Books: Vicki Corona

Belly Dance Costumes

Belly dance costumes and Middle Eastern attire

Belly Dance Costuming

Belly Dancing: Costume Corner

www.amazon.com/Bedlah-Baubles-Beads-Devine-Brown/dp/0967817048 - 208k -

Zara_dancer · 12-30-2007, 05:10 PM

shira.net, shira.net, shira.net... I learnmed soooooo much from the costume goddess section on her website.

kiyaana · 12-30-2007, 05:16 PM

Azhia · 12-30-2007, 06:50 PM

There are a plethora of valuable links on here! Sweet!

For what it's worth, BDF, if you need some one-on-one guidance, I made both of the coin costumes in my gallery. I can walk you through... Once you get the basics down, which I'm sure the resources listed above are quite thorough, you'll be able to do it in no time!

gypsydanse · 12-30-2007, 07:03 PM

You can order Dawn's costuming books directly from her website. They're great, and you can't go wrong with them.

danidance · 12-30-2007, 07:35 PM

I'm wondering if we should start a sewing tips blog for dancers with all the sewing experts/those who know how to sew on bhuz. Not through the bhuz blogs because they don't have the functionality of "real" blogs.

Sarah may have one - I know she posts in her newsletter.

I'm willing to contribute though my sewing skills are very practical every day construction stuff and resources as opposed to costuming. I'll be happy to set up said blog if we think it's a good idea.

We could also just keep a sewing Q & A and tips thread going in our forum. Though the archiving isn't as good as with blogger or such.

just an idea.

dunyah · 12-30-2007, 08:02 PM

I belong to the DIY/Belly dance costumes on a budget tribe (on tribe.net). It's here:

DIY/ Bellydance on a Budget - tribe.net
Lots of good info there.

dancingrrrlz · 12-30-2007, 11:16 PM

I agree about Davina's stuff. I also wanted to mention that she teaches workshops on costume construction.

Aziza of California (the vendor) has a video on how to make a bra and belt. I like her practical approach.
Aziza's blurb on Gilded Serpent.

anala · 12-30-2007, 11:43 PM

you'll be able to do it in no time!

HAHHAHHA AHHAHHAHHAAAA ha

Bellydancefanatic · 12-31-2007, 12:18 AM

Thank you SO much, ladies! This so far is extremely helpful! I'm going to see if Faten can also help me make costumes, because otherwise, I have no one. I'm going to reestablish my sewing skills and buy those books, and look at these links in more detail.

Another important question. Where, in your opinion, is the best place to buy items like these? Fabrics I can get from my local fabric store, but what about coins, trim, fringe, etc, etc? Any suggestions?

Bellydancefanatic · 12-31-2007, 12:19 AM

Anala,

Are you still drinking that Ethiopian coffee? Lol!

Azhia · 12-31-2007, 01:00 AM

Coins: Harry Saroyan

Try also Cybertrims, though they might be going out of business...

Or you saw that one thread where various materials are "harvested" from everyday, non-belly dance items. Keep doing that. Purchase super cheap costume and harvest their parts, esp. useful for repurposing fringe. I see a lot of posts for fringe for sale on here as well. Visit vintage clothing or thrift stores, they carry a lot of tacky beaded sweaters and dresses for harvesting (I'm enjoying this word!) or garage sale/flea markets for the HARVESTING...

IF you're ever in Philadelphia, it is worth a trip to Fabric Row, particularly Kincus Fabrics. *heavenly choir*

Eh, A! U makin' fun oh' meh? U makin' fun oh' meh?