How to Make Your Own Belly Dance Costume

Professional belly dance costumes are expensive, so it's only natural that students turn to making their own bellydance costumes instead. But it's really important to do your research first. You may be able to find the base material for a good price, but you'll find the cost quickly mounts up if you make mistakes - especially if you make them with expensive beaded and sequined trims!

When it comes to belly dance costume-making, one of the most knowledgeable people around is Dawn Devine Brown - better known to belly dancers as Davina.

Davina has, literally, written the book on bellydance costumes - in fact, she's written several. She's the ideal person to offer advice on belly dance costuming, because not only is she a bellydancer herself, but she's also degree qualified in fashion design.

You won't find patterns for belly dance outfits in a Simplicity or McCall's pattern book - or you might, but they're likely to be for fancy dress, not for serious dancing. That means the fit may not be exact, and that tops and vests may be too tight to dance in. I remember making a "choli top" that shot up over my boobs every time I lifted my arm!

Fortunately, belly dance costume patterns are finally starting to appear, designed by belly dancers. You can even make your own hip belt!

Fabric, Beading and Sequins

It's one thing to cut and sew the pattern - the major work is in the embellishment. A clever way to create a sparkling costume without spending big dollars on crystals, sequins and beads is to choose a beautiful fabric, perhaps snakeskin or textured velvet. If you choose a plain fabric, you can still cut down the work somewhat by looking for pre-made motifs, or braids with sequins already sewn on, so you don't have to sew on every single sequin or Swarovski crystal by hand. Even so, you're in for several hours of sewing.

However, just think of the gorgeous, unique costume you'll have at the end - or count up the money you're saving - and keep sewing!

The one thing that isn't covered by a good belly dance pattern is the bra. Even professional belly dancers buy an ordinary bra and embellish it, because it's almost impossible to get a good fit if you try to make a bra from scratch.

Go for one size bigger in the cup than you normally would, because you'll need to add stiffening inside to support the fabric and beading. You'll also need to cut off the straps and replace them with non-adjustable straps or a halter - because the adjustable straps are a dead giveaway that it's really a bra!

Too hard to make your own? Why not buy a ready-made bra and belt in gold, silver or white, and just make your own skirts - the result can be stunning, as you can see in the photo below!

Text by Marisa Wright. Photo by Alaskan Dude.