Belly dance costumes come in many varieties, ranging from simple to elaborate. My philosophy when starting out is to go with something simple, and gradually work towards the more elaborate. Basic elements of a belly dance costume include: harem pants, circle skirt, straight skirt, handkerchief skirt, a midriff baring top or costume bra, belts, scarves, headbands, shoes/sandals and veils. Items can be mixed and matched to form different costumes, for instance wearing the harem pants (or pantaloons) alone one time, and wearing them with a straight skirt over them the next time. Scarves can be placed in different positions around the waist, layered or wrapped around your head. You can wear a skirt without pantaloons, so long as you are not showing your undergarments, more on that later.
On top of the many ways to mix and match your costume, you can also add many kinds of decorative accents to your pieces. Adding fringe, sequins, coins, jewels, chains or embroidery to some of your pieces adds flair to your costume. Don’t be afraid to get creative when decorating your costume, and definitely don’t be afraid of color!
Starting with the pantaloons, I got this basic pattern from shira.net, from an article written by Arabella. You will need 2 ½ yards or more of the 45 inch wide fabric of your choice. Typically you would want a lighter fabric so that it is easier to move in, and preferably something you will be able to easily launder at home. If you chose a sheer fabric, make sure you have underwear or dance shorts, or even spandex biker shorts in a matching color to avoid drawing attention to your undies! You’ll also need either drawstring or elastic, make sure it is enough to fit around your waist where you want the pants to sit. And of course, you will also want thread to sew with that matches your fabric. First, cut your fabric into two pieces, should be 1 ¼ yards each (still 45 inches wide). Fold each piece in half, measure down 16 inches for the crotch, and 9 inches for the ankle. Refer to Diagrams 1A and 1B. If you can cut both pieces together so that both legs look the same.
Unfold both pieces and lay them together (with the right sides together), sew the two crotch seams together, shown in Diagram 1C. Then open and lay so you have a front and back. Sew the leg seam as one, up the leg to the crotch and down the other leg. Diagram 1D. Make sure you do not sew the 9 in. opening for the ankle closed.
If you are using elastic in your waist band, cut it at 2 inches shorter than your waist measurement (your waist – 2 inches). If you have chosen to use a drawstring, cut it 18inches longer than your waist measurement ( your waist + 18 inches). At the waist edge fold the fabric over twice, first ¼ inch, than another inch and sew. Leave about a 1 inch opening so that you can insert your elastic or drawstring. Thread elastic or drawstring through by attaching a safety pin to the end. If you chose elastic, sew the two ends of the elastic together before sewing the opening closed. If you chose a drawstring, do not close the opening. Evenly hem the edges around the foot opening, and you now have your basic pantaloons!
Now you need a top! This information I got from
A handkerchief skirt is a great piece alone or on top of your pantaloons. I got this pattern also from
For footwear a simple pair of flat shoes in gold or silver (whichever matches the jewelry you are wearing) will do fine. If you chose to go barefoot, make sure your feet are looking their best, they will get attention too! To add more to your costume purchase large scarves to wrap around your waist or head. You can buy them with patterns, embroider them yourself, or add fringe, sequins, or coins. Don’t forget to fix your hair as well to complete the look unless you have it covered with scarves or head bands. Don’t be afraid of color and patterns, but most of all have fun creating your belly dancing costume!
Information for this article was obtained from the following websites:
Shira.netwww.celebrationsbellydance.com. A very simple route is to take a simple t-shirt or sleeveless top that matches your pantaloons, and gather the fabric together in the front. You can sew a simple stitch up the middle to hold it together, or use a decorative hair clip or other piece of jewelry that will hold it in place. Then accent your top along the neckline, sleeves and the bottom edge with fringe, coins, beads, sequins or chains to hang over your midriff. You can also create a costume bra. Buy a comfortable but very sturdy bra, cut off the straps and replace them with sturdy grosgrain ribbon or something similar that has no stretch to it. Stretching in the straps will allow too much shifting and bouncing around, and the last thing you want is for a strap to slip off your shoulder! When attaching the ribbon, if you’d like a little more support, try crossing it in the back. Doing so will also give your top more of a top look, instead of a lingerie look. Cover the bra cups with either the same fabric as your pants, or a matching fabric. Make sure to cover the straps and back of the bra with a matching trim, sequin trim works well, to keep your costume bra from looking half finished! Add any decorative accents you want to the bra, get creative!! www.celebrationsbellydance.com. Take either a square or rectangle of a fabric of your choice, and either elastic or drawstring. To get an approximate length of fabric, measure about the length you’d like the skirt to be (will probably not be exact in the end), add 1-2 inches for a seam, and 8+ inches depending on your waist size. Fold your fabric in half, and then in half the opposite way (so you end up with four equal parts). Measure your waist size, and divide by 4. So if your waist measures 32 inches, you will get 8. You would then cut an 8 inch (or whatever your answer was) quarter circle out of your fabric. See Diagram 2A. The 8 inch quarter circle cut should give you a 32 inch waist opening once you unfold the fabric. Use the same technique as you did for the pantaloons for the elastic band or drawstring. Hem the bottom edge. For a more dramatic effect you can layer two squares or rectangles together.
www.zilltech.comwww.celebrationsbellydance.com
