Don't Laugh...

[ghazallah]

... because I am rusty and out of touch.

Our Med Fair is coming up pretty soon and I want to have a costume to wear. I have several options, but it's going on several days and it all depends on how warm it's going to be outside.

If it's not too bad, I'd like to dress up ME for one of the days of the fair.

And I need... a bra.

I can sew, but I don't know where to begin. I assume I would need some kind of form to cover, for starters. Then add the straps, trim, etc.

Is there some tutorial floating out there? And how do I buy a form that will conform to my boobage? Or must my boobage conform to the form? You see how confusing this might be to someone who has always worn beledi dresses.

And of course, time is of the essence, I've got to go punch the clock and play on the computer, like so many others.

[Lauren_]

Simplest thing would be to start with a lingerie bra that fits and cut away all the straps so you're left with just the two cups, still attached. Then you can replace the straps around the back with something non-stretch and add shoulder straps. Depending on the fabric of the bra you're using, you may or may not want to cover the cups as well.

For the back of a bra, I cut the shapes I want from heavy fusible interfacing. Then I fuse it to my fabric, then cut, leaving a small hem allowance. Clip curves & corners, turn under & stitch in place, then attach to the sides of the bra.

Shoulder straps are done in a similar way... sometimes with the same fusible interfacing, sometimes with ribbon.

[Rosette]

My preference for a lingerie bra to "harvest" the cups from is the kind with molded cups and built-in padding that enhances the cleavage by pushing up and in. If you're going to cover the bra with fabric, this can end up slightly shrinking the cups, so try not to select a bra with cups that are just barely big enough. You can always add a little more padding when you're done.

A couple of ideas for bra covering: If you want to shape the fabric over the cup by making a dart or darts (which you would place on the underside or towards the outside of the cup), try shaping and marking or basting with the right side of the fabric against the cup, then after sewing, turn that piece right side out and put it on the OTHER cup, and vice versa. It can be helpful to use some stuff called "Tack it Over and Over Glue" which you can buy at the fabric store. You paint the outside of the cup with this and let it dry. Fabric will stick to it while you're positioning it, but you can easily re-position it as many times as you want, and the glue will not come off on the fabric. Just be SURE the glue has dried COMPLETELY before you start (which can take a little patience). If you sew through this glue it can gook up your needle, but if you keep a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and some tissues or cotton balls handy, the alcohol will take the goop right off the needle.

Rosette

[caasious]

A couple of good on-line "bra how to" tutorials...
Nadya's sewing hints for belly dance / oriental dance costumes;
Turbans, Tassels and Tattoos! - American Tribal Style Belly Dance in Australia

Annabella has a GREAT choli pattern too you might be interested in.

[ghazallah]

Thank you all for the suggestions and info, ladies! Gotta dust off that sewing machine and find my pincushion...