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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Peters on April 3, 2008 at 2:41pm

I used to own a small costume shop in western washington, and I got so addicted to costumes. Sold it about 4 years ago and am finally letting loose of the addiction. I still will make some as I have three boxes of patterns, which I may just sell, plus awesome costumy material. Yea!

Permalink Reply by Susan L. Hart on April 24, 2008 at 1:27pm

Hate to sound too ready to look at your stuff, but since you brought it up.....
let us know when and where you're planning on selling your patterns and fabric, OK?
Can't believe you're on the 12 step program from "Fabric-holics Anonymous"!! Ha! Ha!

Permalink Reply by Susan L. Hart on April 24, 2008 at 1:28pm

See my comment to Ann...the Victorian.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Eaton on August 4, 2009 at 4:11pm

I love Italian Renaissance and most Medieval. Would love to make some Civil War era women's clothes. I'm enjoying my foray into the world of Japanese animation. I do costumes only - no props, wigs or weapons....

Most of my customers are hard-to-fit folks, people who couldn't buy a costume off the rack if they tried. It's rewarding to be able to give them what they want.

Permalink Reply by Sew4my3 on August 20, 2009 at 10:47pm

I love your design and it looks so professional. Here is my whirl at a bellydance costume that I actually made three of for the three dancers in a show, which included my twin daughters. The picture is of one of my daughters in her costume.

Permalink Reply by Carolyn de Leeuw on August 21, 2009 at 6:48pm

It looks like you did a fabulous job on them!

Thanks for the compliments. I've been making costumes for quite a while and have learned a lot from other dancers who make their own costumes. I would be happy to give you pointers if you need anything. Just let me know!

Permalink Reply by Barbara Eaton on September 3, 2009 at 4:18pm

The costume looks great. What did you use to stiffen the hip belt? And did the dancers have any trouble with the top lifting in front while they danced? I made a similar top and couldn't wear it to dance in because I couldn't raise my hands above my head without showing off my lingerie.

Permalink Reply by Carolyn de Leeuw on September 4, 2009 at 8:35pm

The usual way to give a belly dance belt "substance" is use heavy canvas and sometimes craft weight interfacing as well, topped with heavy felt. Here are the layer in order from outside to inside:

decorative outer fabric
felt
craft weight interfacing if needed (depends on how much embellishment you plan to put on)
heavy canvas (or sturdy upholstery fabric, the kind with a backing is best)
lining fabric

About the top, there are a couple of ways to deal with this. If your top has sleeves, leave the underarm part of the seam that joins the sleeve to the body open so that when you put your arm up it doesn't rise. If your top has no sleeves, you can cut the arm h*** a bit bigger over the shoulder (more like a strap) so the fabric doesn't pull when you lift your arm. You can also attach the top to your bra with hooks or snaps, but this may make the whole top look off. The easiest thing to do is insert elastic into the bottom of your shirt.

Carolyn