Thread: Making beledi dress;Ideas?

Hi guys;I have been given some stretchy black lace and was thinking about making a beledi dress using the lace on the bodice area with maybe a lovley full skirt in purple satin.Has anyone any ideas on how to design this or any fhotos they could share? thanks stef.

Originally Posted by lovetodance

Hi guys;I have been given some stretchy black lace and was thinking about making a beledi dress using the lace on the bodice area with maybe a lovley full skirt in purple satin.Has anyone any ideas on how to design this or any fhotos they could share? thanks stef.

What you are describing doesn't sound like what most would call a beledi dress but more like a western cocktail or evening dress. Some of the Egyptian dance dresses are similar in style to an evening dress but these are generally a single stretchy fabric embellishes at the hip, bustline, hem, etc. May have a straight skirt with slits or sometimes godets to create a trumpet. Sometimes the godets may be of chiffon. Other types of beledi dresses might include stage version gallabyia type costumes--fitted long tunic type with fitted or bell sleeves, sometimes sleeve drapes, side slits, sometimes cut under the bust, sometimes with jewel or sweetheart neckline.

Look at the dress section under Egyptian costumes at Dahlal Internationale : Welcome! to see both types.

I just finished a cerise crushed velvet beledi dress that was basically a straight tube fitted through the torso with darts. It is ankle length with slits on the side up to the mid-thigh. Added sleeves with circular sleeve drapes and added sequin and beaded trim along all the edges.

It is pull over your head with no zipper, very similar in shape to the Habibi Habibi dresses at The Belly Dance Store under folkloric costumes.

You could make your entire dress from the lace and line the bust and hip areas with matching lycra or were a plain covered bra and matching boy shorts.

Unless the satin was stretch satin I think you would find it uncomfortable and impractical for the costume. You would need to use it for the entire dress, not just the skirt.

Souzan

I agree with Souzan.

If you wanted to combine fabrics, you're better off doing some sort of "color block" type technique, and fitting in lycra (can get it in a satin weight) in strategic places. It could be beautiful, if well done and decorated nicely.