Costume Corner

Keep an eye on this page--costuming is the single most requested topic by people who have completed my web site's survey, so I'll be continuing to add more information here! On this menu you'll find articles that describe the basic components of a belly dancing costume and offer designs showing how to put them together, instructions on how to make various costume items, historical research, and sewing tricks.

Costume Designs Costuming Book Reviews Ask The Costume Goddess General Notes On Costuming, Make-Up, Appearance Photo Galleries	Historical Clothing In The Middle East How To Make Your Own Costume Items Your Online Sewing Class Costuming Links
Recent Changes To This Menu	Important Announcement

Costume Designs

This section will introduce you to the basic components of a belly dancing costume, and show how to combine them together for a finished look.

Shira Wearing An Assuit Dress

Belly Dance Costuming: A Basic Beginner's Costume. Now that you've decided you enjoy learning how to belly dance, you'd like to have a simple, inexpensive costume to wear to class and student recitals. Here is a design for an outfit that is suitable for both practice and amateur performances.
Easy Shirt & Skirt: Quick & Easy Practice Outfit. By Maria Sultana Robinson.
Belly Dance Costuming: The Classic Look. Learn what components comprise the classic belly dancing costume that most audiences expect to see on a professional dancer.
Costuming A Belly Dance Troupe. Ideas on how to choose a troupe uniform.

Costuming Book Reviews

Books By Dawn Devine Brown

Costuming From The Hip. By Dawn Devine Brown. How to make a belly dancing costume. Basics for beginning dancers, but also many creative variations for more experienced dancers.
From Turban to Toe Ring. By Dawn Devine Brown. Introduces tribal style belly dance costuming, including information on garments, how to combine them, ethnic jewelry and textiles, and make-up.
Style File: A Visual Vocabulary of Middle Eastern Dance Costume. By Dawn Devine Brown. Booklet introducing the variety of costuming styles and garments popular with Middle Eastern dance artists.
Embellished Bras: Basic Techniques. By Dawn Devine Brown. Detailed instructions on making a decorated bra for either fashion wear or costuming.
From the Hip Turban to Toe Ring Style File

Books By Dina Lydia

The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 1: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Advice on designing a belly dance costume that will look flattering for your figure type.
The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 2: Easy Costume for Bellydancers. Explains how to create easy-to-make costume items if you have very little sewing experience.
The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Detailed instructions for making your own bra/belt set. Emphasis on the beaded/sequinned look, but some coin information too.
The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 4: Arm Costume for Bellydancers. Creative ideas for sleeves, armbands, gauntlets, and drapes.
The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 5: Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers. Instructions for making Tribal-style costume pieces for the upper body, with some design suggestions for the overall look.
The Costume Goddess Tells All, Volume 6: Thrifty Chic for Bellydancers. Instructions for transforming second-hand garments into costume pieces.
The Costume Goddess Tells All: Volume 7, Headpieces for Bellydancers. Instructions for hair styles, head jewelry, face decoration, and costume pieces for the head. Don't let your costume stop at the neck! Placed online November 1, 2005.
Flattering Costume Easy Costume Bra and Belt Arm Costume Tribal Toppings Thrifty Chic Headpieces

Books By Other Authors

Sewing for Plus Sizes: Creating Clothes that Fit and Flatter. By Barbara Deckert. Whether making dance costumes or everyday wear, this book will help plus-sized women learn how to up-size commercial patterns to fit.

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Ask The Costume Goddess

In this feature, Dina, The Costume Goddess, answers your questions about belly dance costuming. Browse the questions other people have asked, and if you like, submit one of your own. It just might get answered in a future installment! The Costume Goddess has answered so many questions, that we needed to give her a menu of her very own!

One Of Dina's Drawings

Go to the main menu for Ask The Costume Goddess.

or

Pick the category below that interests you most:
Who Is The Costume Goddess? Costume Design Creative Costume Components	Fitting And Alterations Sewing Technique Other Costume Issues

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General Notes On Costuming, Make-Up, Appearance

Tips & Tricks Related To Costuming. These tips & tricks are all on the subjects of costuming, hair, and make-up. All are designed to help you look as great as you possibly can! More than 30 ideas in all!
In Search of Authentic Middle Eastern Fabrics. Arabella shares her research into fabrics made in the Middle East, as well as some inspired by the region.

Dear Shira: A Jewel In The Navel? What's the deal with wearing a jewel in the navel, anyway? Do "real" belly dancers do it or not? From the online "Dear Shira" advice column for belly dancers!
Dear Shira: What About Stretch Marks Or Surgical Scars? Your teacher wants you to cover the stretch marks from your pregnancy or scars from your surgery. Now what? From the online "Dear Shira" advice column for belly dancers!

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Photo Galleries

These photo galleries feature a variety of costumes. Maybe you'll get some new ideas by seeing what other dancers have worn!

Photos Of Shira

Index To Shira's Photo Gallery. Thumbnail-sized versions of the pictures you'll see if you visit Shira's photo galleries listed below. A quick way to preview them.

Shira Dancing With A Sword. Photos of Shira wearing three different costumes, while dancing with a sword. Includes tips on how to dance with a sword.
Shira's Turkish Costumes. Photos of Shira enjoying the four costumes purchased when she went to Turkey in July, 2000.
Shira Dancing With A Single Veil. The veil offers a way to paint beautiful moving pictures in the air, and it offers a lovely frame for poses.

Photo of Shira

M'shisha al-Fo'awi
Fabulous Full Figures

Full-figured dancers model their favorite costumes from their collections, proving that there are many beautiful belly dance costume options available to plus-sized dancers.

M'shisha al-Fo'awi. M'shisha al-Fo'awi of Santa Clara, California pulls together her costumes by making some pieces and purchasing inexpensive components for the rest.
Asifa el-Bah'r, Part 1. Asifa el-Bah'r of Sunnyvale, California uses her artistic flair to pull together costumes with an eclectic flavor.
Asifa el-Bah'r, Part 2. Asifa el-Bah'r models a second group of costumes from her collection, several of which she made herself.
Leyla Lanty, Part 1. Leyla specializes in Egyptian-style dance, and shows how to achieve the Egyptian look without baring a lot of skin.
Leyla Lanty, Part 2. More made-in-Egypt costumes from Leyla's collection.

Photos Of Dina, The Costume Goddess

Dina, The Costume Goddess (Part 1). Dina is the author of the Ask The Costume Goddess column on this page. Take a look at some of her creative endeavors!
Dina, The Costume Goddess (Part 2). Here is a second page of creative costumes by Dina.

Dancer at Orient House in Istanbul, July 11, 2000
Scenes From Turkey: Oriental Dancers

Orient House. Pictures of the three dancers who performed at the Orient House in Istanbul on July 11, 2000.
Gar Gazinosu. Pictures of the four dancers who performed at Gar Gazinosu in Istanbul on July 12, 2000.
Kervansaray. Pictures of the three dancers who performed at Kervansaray in Istanbul on July 13, 2000.
Kusadasi. Pictures of the five dancers who performed at the Kervansaray Hotel in Kusadasi on July 18, 2000.
Other Performances. Pictures of three additional dancers I saw while I was in Turkey in July, 2000.

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Historical Clothing In The Middle East

Pants In The Sixteenth Century. Written by Dawn Devine Brown, author of Costuming From The Hip, this article will help dancers attempting to create historical-style costumes determine how best to integrate pants into the ensemble.
Costumes for SCA & Renaissance Faires. Tips on how to dress for the spirit of the occasion as well as the reality.
Palestinian Costumes and Embroidery - A Precious Legacy. Review of a video documentary.

What To Wear For Debke. This article from Ask The Costume Goddess offers costume recommendations for dancing the debke, which is a traditional Lebanese line dance.
From Turban to Toe Ring. By Dawn Devine Brown. Review of a book that provides an introduction to the tribal style of belly dance costuming, but also has great advice for historical re-enactment dancers.

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How To Make Your Own Costume Items

How To Make A Rectangular Head Scarf. Feel like a dancer all the way to the top of your head with a head scarf that coordinates with your costume! Complete instructions and photos.
How to Make Pharaonic Collar, Headband, Wristbands, and Dress. By Arabella. Complete instructions, diagrams, photos.
How To Make A Pair Of Beaded Earrings. Give your costume a finishing touch by making a pair of beaded earrings to match.
Easy-to-Make Baggy Pants: One Size Fits Most. Even if you are not good at sewing. By Arabella.

Belly Dance Costume Patterns. There actually are patterns out there that are suitable for making belly dancing costumes! Here are some sources.
How To Make A Circle Skirt. Learn how to make this flattering belly dancing skirt.
How To Make A Rectangular Veil. Make a basic 3-yard veil that can be used for Egyptian-style entrances and American-style veil work. Complete instructions.
How To Make A Semicircular Veil. Give a new look to your veil work by making a veil shaped like a half circle instead of a rectangle. Complete instructions and photos.
Easy Shirt & Skirt. Here's a nice practice outfit that's easy to make and low-cost. Especially nice for busty women.

Quick Salwar (Pantaloons). Make your own pattern - easily! By Arabella.
Narrow Salwar (Pantaloons). Use only 1 1/3 yard of fabric. By Arabella.
Ask The Costume Goddess. If you haven't already explored Ask The Costume Goddess, now is a good time. Explore the tips on making a Ghawazee vest or jacket, making your own belt pattern, or making an 8-point skirt. Dina also offers her own explanation of how to make a veil.

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Your Online Sewing Class

In high school, Shira used to make all her own clothes. Here, she shares her secrets on how to conquer your sewing machine so you can save money making your own dance costume. Are you a total novice when it comes to sewing? These instructions are aimed at your level of skill!

Sewing Hints: Making A Narrow Hem. Hem even the most annoying curved edges with this easy technique.
Sewing Hints: How To Make A Hip Elastic Casing With Wide Bias Tape. Easily finish the top edge of skirts, pantaloons, and panels with these instructions.
Sewing Hints: Turkish Bead/Sequin Edging For Skirts, Veils, Pantaloons. So easy, even a sewing beginner can do it!

Ask The Costume Goddess. If you haven't already explored the Ask The Costume Goddess menu, take a look--it has a section on costume sewing and alterations.

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Costuming Links

Stop! Before you explore the belly dance costuming advice on these other web sites, be sure to bookmark this page in your browser! That way, you'll be able to return here easily after you've enjoyed the other sites! Here's how: In Netscape, pick the menu choice at the very top for "Communicator", then pick "Bookmarks," then "Add Bookmark". In Internet Explorer and AOL, pick "Favorites", then "Add To Favorites".

Belly Dance Costuming Links. Take a look at the Costuming Help section of my Links page to explore the other sites I've discovered on the Internet that offer costuming advice.

Shira Dancing With A Sword

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Recent Changes To This Menu

On December 29, 2003, added How to Make Pharaonic Collar, Headband, Wristbands, and Dress by Arabella.
On December 20, 2003, added Narrow Salwar (Pantaloons) by Arabella.
On December 19, 2003, added Quick Salwar (Pantaloons) by Arabella.

On December 13, 2003, added a review of Dawn Devine Brown's book Embellished Bras: Basic Techniques.

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