Tag: skirts

DIY Wrap Skirt Hip Scarf – maternity belly dance practice outfit Pt 2

Last week I started this maternity belly dance practice outfit series with this fun batwing crop top. This week I want to complete this outfit with this high-waisted, wrap skirt hip scarf. It’s adjustable in size, so it’s great for your growing baby bump, and looks like a pretty wrap skirt. Of course, it looks great even if you’re not… Read more →

What is Horsehair Braid? How to Use it for Belly Dance Costumes

If you’re interested in making a professional belly dance costume, you must know this secret ingredient every famous designer uses – It’s horsehair braid 🙂 You’ve probably seen it being used to finish the hem of skirts and dresses for dance costumes or wedding dresses or evening gowns. It’s also used to accentuate ruffle details. It creates large waves and… Read more →

How to Make the Waistband Work on Belly Dance Skirt without a Belt

A belly dance outfit usually comes with a bra top, belt, and a skirt, or you may choose a belly dance skirt without a belt. If you’re making a costume from scratch, the second option is less time-consuming, so it’s a great option for simpler costumes or troupe costumes. 🙂 But the problem is, how do you make the waistband… Read more →

How to Add a Ruffle To a Skirt Slit

Do you have a skirt that could use a little makeover? You can easily transform a simple skirt into an exciting ruffle skirt if you know how to add a ruffle to a skirt! The original skirt is from my 3-panel mermaid skirt tutorial, and I decided to add ruffles to upgrade it. In this video, you’ll see how to… Read more →

Sparkly Belly Student Showcase 2021

The best part of my job is seeing my students’ creations 🙂 It’s quite magical when costumers combine what they learned in my courses and their creativity, and create their very own belly dance costumes. I often learn from them too! Let me show you what I mean. Here are 9 of my students and their beautiful creations! Sparkly Belly… Read more →

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DIY 3-Panel Mermaid Skirt Pt.2 (Sewing) for belly dancers

In Part 1 of this 3-panel mermaid skirt series, I showed you how to make your own pattern for this 3-panel belly dance mermaid skirt. If you missed it, start from there 🙂 In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to cut the fabric, and assemble all pieces together. Let’s get started! Click here to sign up for the Sparkly… Read more →

DIY 3-Panel Mermaid Skirt Pt.1 (Free pattern) for belly dancers

I shared this 5-panel mermaid skirt tutorial years ago, and it has been one of the most popular tutorials at Sparkly Belly. And since I published it, so many of you have requested a simpler, 3-panel mermaid skirt. Thank you!  So today I’m thrilled to share with you my 3-panel mermaid skirt over the next 2 posts, more straightforward than… Read more →

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DIY Long Ruched Hip Scarf for Belly Dance

As belly dancers, we can never have enough hip scarves, and today I’m very excited to share with you this new ruched hip scarf I made!  It’s extra long, so it feels like a half skirt, which feels nice as you dance in it. And I love the ruched design. It’s an easy, beginner-friendly project, and let me show you… Read more →

3 sewing tools that make costume making easier and faster

3 sewing tools that make costume making faster & more fun!

Some tools can make a world of difference 🙂 Today I want to share with you 3 of my favourite sewing tools that made a world of difference to my costume making. After I met these tools, costume making has become easier, faster and more fun! 😀 If you are looking to upgrade your sewing tools, I highly recommend these. I’ll include… Read more →