How to Make a Belly Dance Turkish Circle Skirt

Making your own belly dance skirts saves money, as professional Turkish skirts cost hundreds of dollars. There are several costume pieces to a Turkish skirt--you don't just wear one skirt. Turkish skirts consist of a 7- to 10-yard circle skirt, an overskirt consisting of panels, or a handkerchief-style skirt, and oftentimes a pair of harem pants underneath it all.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two 3-yard pieces of fabric at least 54-inches wide 2-yard piece of fabric at least 54-inches wide 3-yard piece of fabric of a different color and texture at least 45-inches wide Elastic Pre-strung sequins Small tribal mirrors or sew-on jewels Sewing machine (optional) Fray check Two measuring tapes Heavy string or yarn Sewing pins Fabric pen or pencil Bias tape

1. 

   Lay out one 3-yard piece of 54- to 60-inch fabric, ensuring it lays smooth on the cutting surface. Tape a measuring tape above the top of the fabric, and one vertically on the right side of the fabric. At the top corner of the fabric, pin one end of the string onto the fabric with a sewing pin. Move the string in an arc position as you mark the fabric with the fabric pin, making a half circle. Once completed, repeat with the other 3- and 2-yard pieces of fabrics that are 54- to 60-inches wide. Cut each piece out and set aside.

2. 

   Take the 3-yard piece of 45-inch width fabric, and make into two separate triangles, round off the bottom hemline so that the top portion is straight (for a waist band), and the bottoms are rounded slightly, and set aside.

3. 

   Take the bias tape and sew it onto the waist band (top hemline) of each circle panel. Do this to each panel individually because as a dancer you may want to move the skirt panels differently to suit each costume's needs. At this time also sew bias tape onto the two pieces of triangular panel skirt, and again sew them individually so you can move the panels how you want them.

4. Do a quick serge on the hemline of each skirt if you have a serging machine; this is the easiest way, and takes the least amount of time. For more delicate fabrics such as silk, you may want to hand sew using a rolling technique, roll the hemline as you place a stitch; this will ensure there is no fraying. If the fabric frays easily, use fray check on the hemline before sewing.

5. Sew pre-strung sequin trim onto the bottom of each skirt, and if you wish up the sides of the skirts. Add tribal mirrors or sew on jewels every couple inches to catch the light when you dance. You can also add mirrors or sew on jewels onto the skirt itself to catch even more light.

Tips & Warnings

• If you would like to also make a pair of harem pants I suggest buying a pattern, as they are a bit more difficult than making skirts. Hang your circle skirt for a week before wearing to ensure proper stretch of the fabric The skirt bottom will always look uneven for a couple weeks while the natural fibers stretch and form. Do not dance with silk veils if you're using a velvet skirt, the silk will cling to the skirt, making it difficult to control the veil.
• Roll the waistband if the skirt is too long or trim the hemline, you will trip on your skirt if you do not do this.