So this week, we’ve been on a big journey to figure out how to outfit you in a beautiful, perfectly-fitting costume… …so that you’ll walk on a stage at that special show you are working towards… and feel, “I’ve arrived… now watch me!” 😀 We’ve seen that many people are afraid of costume making because they believe that… Read more →
As belly dancers, we all want to get up on stage in a perfectly-fitting costume that makes us feel, “I’ve arrived…. Now watch me!” In my last post, we’ve seen that this is possible – you’ve heard about Sarah’s transformation from not being proud of her first costume to outfitting herself AND making costumes for other dancers who can’t find… Read more →
In our belly dance world, we celebrate femininity 🙂 In classes, we talk about loving our curves and jiggly shimmies. …and many of us learn to appreciate our bodies as they are through belly dancing. Yet before shows and haflas, we almost always struggle to find bras that fit our bra sizes or skirts that don’t create a muffin top… Read more →
I love versatile patterns that allow me to create many different styles of garments. Would you be surprised if I told you these skirts were all made out of the same set of patterns? This is how I created each one 🙂 1. The Goddess Skirt I show how to make this golden mermaid skirt called Goddess Skirt in my… Read more →
In my last post, we made a beautiful and classy DIY lace belly drape for your belly dance bra. And in this post, we’ll create this matching colour block mermaid skirt skirt by hacking my favourite mermaid skirt pattern! Let’s get started! Learn how to make your own Goddess Skirt pattern here and try this lace panel mermaid skirt! And/Or… Read more →
Earlier this year, I shared my Plus Size Belly Dance Costuming Guide which became a very popular post on Sparkly Belly. 🙂 One of the tips I included there was what I call the “Belly Drape” – It’s a design created with fabric that drapes from the bra and provides light coverage over the top of your torso. It’s really easy… Read more →
Want to make this lovely grey skirt? Learn here! For making dance costumes, stretch fabric is essential – it helps us create fitted costumes and gives the flexibility we need for when we move around and dance in it. 🙂 So I have a lot of tutorials where you use stretch fabrics – like this mermaid skirt, Goddess Skirt, and… Read more →
I like belly dance costumes that have decorations sewn onto the skirt. 🙂 For this type of skirt, you don’t have to wear a separate belt, which can be more comfortable for some of you. At least for me – less opportunity for costume malfunction 😉 But how do you sew decorations to the stretch waistband of… Read more →
I’m not a big fan of belly dance costumes that are any more naked than they already are, but sometimes that “naked” design details on costumes can be visually interesting and also create beautiful lines. And when I say “naked”, I mean those cut outs that show your skin or details that mimic the colour of your skin.… Read more →
A couple of months ago, I asked on Sparkly Belly’s FB group what everyone wanted to see on Sparkly Belly. And the most popular request was plus size costuming tips. So! Here are my take on plus size costuming. I focused on the 3 plus size costuming challenges I hear from Sparkly Belly readers most and used their words to… Read more →