How to Make a Belly Dance Bra

The belly-dancing craze has swept the nation, with good reason. In addition to its status as one of the oldest dance forms in the world, belly dancing is fun and a terrific workout. Get in on the fun and start your costume by learning how to make a belly dance bra.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bra
• Needle
• Thread
• Glue
• Decorative cord
• Sequins or beads
• Fringe

1. Select a bra that fits you well in a color and fabric that you like. The ideal bra has sturdy straps and a secure closure. If you have a large bust, pick a full-coverage bra so you don't fall out of your costume during your belly dance.

2. Start with your straps. Sew or glue gold cord or rope, strips of sequins or strings of faux pearls to your bra straps to add some sparkle to your shoulders.

3. Create designs on the cups with beads, rhinestones, sequins or faux pearls. Use geometric shapes in your design or make swirly patterns on your bra cups. The more intricate the beading, the better your costume will look.

4. Extend the beading on the cups around the sides to the back. You can glue or sew on your beading, though sewn beads are more secure.

5. Adorn the bottom of your belly dance bra with fringe, coins, bells or the large, flat sequins called paillettes. The fringe along the bottom of the bra should swing and make noise when you shimmy. This emphasizes the tummy, which is, of course, paramount in belly dancing.

Resources

• Find a bra at Victoria's Secret
• Buy all your decorating supplies at Hancock Fabrics

[etana]

on 1/15/2009 This would be ok for Halloween. It's definitely *not* performance worthy nor class room appropriate.

[etana]

on 1/15/2009 This method might work for Halloween, but it's definitely *not* performance worthy...nor class-room appropriate.

[jhanseth]

on 1/13/2009 Anything glued on (unless you use epoxy) will fall off at the first shoulder shimmy. To make a real costume bra, you'll need stiff interfacing (like buckram), fabric to cover the bra like velvet, and you'll need to replace the back and straps with sturdier material so that it doesn't look like you're wearing lingerie. (Lingerie is NOT the same thing as a belly dance costume.)

THEN you can begin decorating with sequins, beads, etc.