One of the most common costume making problems I hear from Sparkly Belly readers is actually not related to costume making at all. It’s about finding time to sew. When I share my costume tutorials, I often get comments like, “I love this! But first I have to find time to sew….” The other day, I saw a FB discussion… Read more →
Tag: sew
3 tricks for sewing stretch fabrics (& avoiding uneven skirt hem!)
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 →
DIY Baladi Dress with mandarin collar & placket – part 2: Sew them all together!
In my last post, we measured and cut out all panels we need to sew this DIY baladi dress with a mandarin collar and placket. I love when all the panels are cut and waiting for me to sew them together. 😀 Let’s get started! Click here to make your own Dina Bra! 😀 DIY Baladi Dress with mandarin collar &… Read more →
DIY Dancer Shorts
Since I launched my latest costume making course, Aurora Convertible Skirt Premium Course, I received questions about what to wear under this type of skirt that has cutouts. Click the image to check out how to make this skirt! Generally, you can either wear nude colour underwear that doesn’t show, or some dancers wear boy shorts in nude colour. For… Read more →
How to Decorate on Stretch Waistband / Stretch Fabric
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 →
DIY Easy Sleeveless Choli / Crop Top with Double Bows!
Ohhh the festive season has begun! Thanksgiving family fun, Black Friday shopping fun, and holiday dancing fun…. 😀 (oh, speaking of Black Friday, check out Sparkly Belly’s Black Friday fun here!) Since holiday events are coming up, in the next 3 posts, I’m going to do a holiday DIY costume series where I’ll show you how to make this sleeveless… Read more →
Time Lapse: 40 hrs of work in 3 mins – Pink & Navy Floral Belly Dance Costume
A few months ago, I treated myself to a new phone – Samsung Galaxy S7. I wasn’t even going to get the latest & greatest (I was using Galaxy S2 at the time), but the store (and my fiance) convinced me into getting this smartphone. I must say, I’m so happy they did! The phone comes… Read more →
Belly Dance Costuming Tips with Zahra Zuhair!
I’m so excited to publish this post today, because… I have one of my all time favourite belly dancers, Zahra Zuhair, on Sparkly Belly!!! A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon her YouTube videos where she was talking about creating your own signature style of dancing, which was really, really good and helpful. So I immediately emailed her and… Read more →
16 Ways to Wear a Reversible Circle Skirt
Wouldn’t it be nice to get many looks out of 1 costume? That would be so fun, and you could adjust your style depending on your choreography, audience and occasion. Is that even possible? Yes, it is! 😀 In this video, you’ll see how you can create 16 different looks using 1 reversible circle skirt. Let’s get started! Sign up… Read more →
DIY Circle Skirt for dancers! [reversible & double-layer & double-slit]
Thanks for enjoying last week’s What Type of Belly Dancer Are You? test! It has quickly become the most shared post on Sparkly Belly 🙂 If your test result was a Classic Belly Dancer or Artist or even Sweet Charmer, today’s DIY is perfect addition to your dance wardrobe! I love versatile costume pieces, and circle skirts are definitely a… Read more →