How to create a childs belly dance costume

Your how to guide on belly dance 101 costuming for children. Learn to create simple yet effective costuming for your little Diva!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine required
• basic sewing tools (measuring tape, scissors, straight pins,ect)
• 3-5 yds non sheer fabric(cotton, oppique chiffon, heavy satins, ect)
• 1-2 yds non sheer accent fabric (silk, light weight satin, oppique chiffon-in bright colors)
• 6-10 yds decorative trim

1. 
    
   Mermaid skirt creation

   Your first step is gathering all material needed for the costume. Take measurements of your child. Measure your child from her lower hip to her ankle, and write this measure down somewhere safe. Next measure your child hip or waist measurements. I usually do it 1" below the belly button for my little girl. Once you have this measurement write it down and keep it safe for later use. These will be used to make a circle, straight, or mermaid skirt or harem pants. Next is to measure your child for the top. You will measure her under her chest area, and write this down for later use. Keep all measurements some where safe so you can come back to them as often as needed.

2. 
    
   Picture of how you would cut skirt out

   Your next step is to start making the costume based of measurements you have gathered. The first step is to make a skirt. I'm giving detailed directions for a circle skirt, but I will also run by the mermaid style and straight Egyptian styles quickly. For your basic circle skirt you will need a applique fabric that will float nicely during spins. Such fabrics I'd recommend are satin, silks, and light weight chiffon or cottons.
   
   You fold your fabric length wise in half and lay it either on a kitchen table or floor. Make sure that the fabric is spread out evenly, and that there is no crinkles-the smoother the better! Take your measuring tape, and run it along the width portion of the folded fabric. Starting at the end of the fabric. You will use your child length measurements for this. So say your child length is 22" in length. Then you would use the measuring tape and measure width wise 22". You will mark this by placing straight pins. Take the measuring tape end and pin it to the corner of the fabric; making sure it still moves freely. Now you are ready to form the half circle. You start at that corner and measure down words towards the width of fabric marking with pins every couple of inches. Your forming a half circle while doing this. It's important to remember that your fabric is folded so once completed it will be a full half of a circle. You need 2 of these for a full 360 degree circle. The picture I have here shows 3 pieces however for a child 2 pieces should be sufficient.

3. 
    
   Model's wearing a black circle skirt in a tribal costume

   Now that you have your skirt cut out you will start by pinning it together, and then sewing it. It should be fairly easy to know which side to sew. You simply match the pieces together, pin them, and sew them down the sides. At this time only sew one side down; leaving the skirt open width wise so you can work on the waist band. The waistband is made by placing an elastic casing into the skirt. You can make this two different ways. You can fold down a 1-2" allowance for the elastic to go through; this is the hard way because you need to work slowly to ensure no gaps or unevenness. The easier way is to purchase cross grain ribbon or wide bias tape. You simple sew it onto the waist and insert the elastic into the casing, then pin the whole side together and sew up the skirt length wise the make the skirt closed.

4. 
    
   Custom made mermaid skirt for child

   To make a straight Egyptian skirt is very easy. All you need it 1 yard of stretchy fabric such as lycra or stretch velvet. You simply fold fabric in half and sew up one side. You can cut the length to fit your child. Follow steps in circle skirt to make the elastic casing.
   
   To make the mermaid skirt it is easier to buy a pattern, but you can also cheat it by making the circle skirt, and sewing the sides tighter than the bottom of the skirt. Pictured here is my style I make my self.

5. To make a shirt or choli you will need 1/2 to 1 yard of fabric. This is the easiest and less time consuming way to do this. You simply make a tubular shape, and place elastic casing on top and bottom of shirt. It takes about half a yard to do this for a child. You can also make a triangle, and place a casing on top and bottom, then place ribbon through the casing to make straps.

6. 
    
   Daughter modeling a 2 yard rectagluar veil

   To make a child size veil you need 2 yards of light weight fabric. I suggest chiffon or silk blends. You simply sew the edges of the fabric with a sewing machine. You can place colorful trims on the veil, but it's important not to weigh down the veil.
   Another way is to buy 2 yards of 60" width fabric, and follow the circle skirt steps. Make only one piece of the skirt, and when it opens up you half a rounded veil!

7. 
    
   Hair falls, and tribal belt!

   To make tribal accessories please watch for my next article!

Tips & Warnings

• Do not make your child's costume revealing. This is considered a sacred dance, and revealing costumes for a child is not sacred!
• Add the sequin trim or ribbon to the circle skirt! It makes the costume much more flashy.
• Do have your child help pick out the fabric and notions. She will be very pleased!
• Have fun!
• Do not leave sides of skirt open if you do not intend to add stretch pants or harem pants under. These skirts spin wonderfully, and the audience will get a unpleasant surprise.
• Make sure you take all pins out
• Make sure elastic is comfortable but not too loose.