How to Make a Belly Dancing Circle Skirt

Have you always wondered how to make the full circle skirts that the belly dancers ware either for a Halloween costume or for belly dancing? This article will tell you in easy step by step directions how it is done.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straight edge 45" or longer
• Pins
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine (Or you can do it by hand)
• Material
• Thread and needle
• Piece of string
• Chalk

1. 
    
   Circle skirt pattern

   Measure from hip to floor. You will need 4 times this amount in fabric. Cut or tear off 2 1/2 in strip off the cut edge. Cut or tear the remaining fabric in 1/2. ( if you have 4 yards, you will end up with 2, two yard pieces). Fold in 1/2 and lay on top of each other with the folds lined up on top of each other. Measure around the largest part of your lower body. Divide by 4. Mark inner circle at about 5 inches from corner at fold using a string and marking instrument like a compass. Measure the curve. If the measurement is less than the divide by 4 measurement, mark inner circle at 6 inches ( you get the idea, the deeper this curve the bigger the opening at top of skirt) Next, using string and marking chalk, or pencil, mark large curve at in diagram using the hip to floor measurement you took earlier.

2. Cut along the lines, you should end up with two half circles with a small half circle cut out of the top ( Kind of the shape of a rainbow)

3. Press and hem the straight parts of the skirt pieces. Fold the 2 1/2 inch piece you removed earlier in half lengthwise. You should end up with a long strip doubled. This is sewed on to the waist part of the circle skirt, raw edges together. When one half is sewed on, start the other circle without a space. This is the casing for your elastic or draw string. The draw string can be made from the leftover scraps of material. If you use your waist measurement and add 6 to 8 inches this will be the length it will need to be then it will need to be 1 in wide. Fold wrong sides together sew one end shut along with the length leaving one side open. turn right side out and fold in raw edge of open end and slip stitch shut. Folding down and sewing an inner curve like that is very difficult, this is much easier.

4. Use a safety pin to thread through elastic or draw string. Wrap skirt around your hips where you want to wear it. Fit elastic so it is tight enough to stay up, pin all together and slip down to make sure you can get it off. Sew through all thickness at pinning towards the inside. Fold the edge over to one side and sew down flat (top stitch)

5. Roll and press hem (the bottom edge of the skirt) and stitch . That will finish it off unless you want to embellish skirt with bead, sequence and coins.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to press seams and hems for a more professional look.

Resources

• Hoe to Make a Belly Dancing Handkerchief Skirt
• How to Make an Egyptian Belly Dancing Bra
• How to Make Belly Dancing Harem Pants
• How to Make Garrings out of Glass Beads
• How to Wrap a Sharkes Tooth Necklace

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/28/2009 Creative! Sounds fun. Great tips!

[explainitplease]

on 8/28/2009 This is a cute one! Thanks.

[fitzcents]

on 8/18/2009 I'm here just eating and watching some belly dancing... Why don't you make a belly dancing circle skirt while you're here. These steps are great! 5*

[maxping]

on 8/3/2009 My daughter will like this thanks.

[sowomom1]

on 8/3/2009 This is a cool project! Thanks!