How to Make Your Own Belly Dance Dress

Belly dancing costumes come in many different styles and designs.

The seductive form of dance known as belly dancing originated from the Middle East. It is currently a very popular dance in America and is used to entertain and also as a form of exercise. One of the highlights of belly dancing is the dancers' costumes. Billowy skirts and and beautiful patterns swirl about as the dancers move and bells on the costume jingle to the music. These costumes are just as beautiful and mysterious as the dance itself.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Gold or silver belly dancing coins or bells
• Gold ribbon
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Sewing needle
• Sewing pins
• Peasant or boho skirt
• Thin cotton shirt with no designs
• Padded bra
• Gold sequin beads

Instructions

The Top

1. 

   Use a sewing machine to hem your skirt.

   Put on your cotton shirt and roll it up until the bottom of the shirt is 2 inches above your bellybutton. Pin the materials with sewing pins with a 1/2-inch seam portion. Take your scissors and cut the material where the pinned line is and use a single stitch on your sewing machine to hem the shirt.

2. 

   Cut the gold ribbon for the bottom of the shirt and sleeves.

   Cut the gold ribbon to fit the length of the bottom of the shirt. Do this also for the sleeves. Take your sewing pins and pin the ribbon in place.

3. Use your sewing machine to sew the ribbon in place.

Bra Top

1. Choose a bra that you are comfortable wearing in public. Padded bras with an underwire give the best support. Racerback bras can also lift the breasts and hold them in place.

2. Use your sewing needle and thread and sew the sequins onto your bra. You can sew sequins along the straps or even make a pattern on the cups to give the top a more glamorous look and feel.

3. Add extra embellishments such as bells to your bra top to give it more flair.

The Skirt

1. Purchase a long peasant skirt or find one that you don't mind altering. Try to have it match the bra or shirt you made.

2. Cut slits from the left and right sides of the skirt to mid-thigh. If you want to go a bit higher, you can do so. Fold the edges of where you cut about 1/2 inch to the inside of the skirt and pin them with sewing needles.

3. Sew the hem with a sewing machine. If you wish, you can cut the ribbon you used for your top and border your skirt to give it more of a matching feel.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find it difficult to pin the hem of your shirt, ask someone to help you to guarantee that the bottom is even.

References

• Living Belly Dance: Affordable Belly Dancing Costumes

Resources

• Yasmina's Joy of Belly Dancing