If you’ve made a costume before, you know every costume has a story.
Where the fabric came from, what the inspiration was, how the design transformed in the creation process….
But most often we don’t get to hear these stories.
I’m ALWAYS amazed by how my students take what they learned, add their own inspirations and personalities, and create costumes that are completely their own.
So today I want to brag a little about my previous students from the Belly Dance Costume Workshop (BDCW) and showcase their creations and stories 🙂
I’ve learned a lot from what they shared with me, and I’m so, SO proud of each one of them! I’m sure you’ll find lots of great ideas.
Enjoy!
Belly Dance Costume Workshop Student Showcase 2021
Sheley Jaggar
“Here is my costume from BDCW! For the belt, I used your tutorial on fitting and decorating! For the Bra, I combined your Dina Bra tutorials with the Belly Dance Bra module from BDCW to make my own bra shape and cover it in fabric! I used your patterns to make these paisley appliques and I used your triangle theory to guide my placement! I also used your circle skirt tutorial to make my skirt!
I have a few changes to make, and I need to hem my skirt, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s come together! I hope you like it! Thanks for all you do!”
Lynette Marchant
“For this one I also learnt from your design techniques, and being happy to change things around & play with different fabrics/styles – I started covering the bra totally in beads but couldn’t work out how to move onto the belt. It also didn’t quite fit with the vision in my head – BDCW videos & hints & techniques to the rescue. Yes it did hurt pulling all those beads off – but I am so happy with the outcome!”
Sarah Carrapiett
“this is my very first completed costume and I’m so excited because this weekend I’m performing in it for the very first time!
…In the photo I have used your ‘making a bra base tutorial’ and ‘mermaid skirt tutorial’. I also added a boyleg fitted shape wear attached on the inside of the skirt to make costume changes easier. You can see where I’ve sewn the shape wear to the inside of the skirt, it isn’t seamless but it was a little tricky as both the skirt and shape wear are made of stretchy Lycra fabric.
…The thing I love most about this costume is how professional it looks and how easy the tutorials were to make the skirt. I also love that it fits to my body! Again, this is my first skirt I have ever sewn, and I’m thrilled at how well it has turned out!”
Frida Palmbo
“I’m entering the BDCW costume contest with a costume I made a few years ago, when I took your Belly Dance Costume Workshop 2.0. I changed the skirt to a 5 panel mermaid skirt with lame inserts, but followed your skirt pattern instructions.
In some lights flowers are visible in the skirt fabric. I drafted the flowers and made five brooches of felt and decorated them with pearls, rhinestones and sequins, with inspiration from your blog.
I love that I was able to make a costume that fits me very well and that inspires me to make more costumes of my own! I also love the look of the costume and I’m very pleased with the matching brooches!”
Ka Shi
“This skirt was my first project with Sparkly Belly. It was made using the Costume Workshop modules 4 – 7. The module I used was for the Mermaid Skirt with Chiffon Inserts. I made the bra from the Dina Bra from scratch premium course. I first made a bra using the workshop but later re-made a bra for this costume using the Dina Bra course which I liked the fit better.
Thanks for letting me share. The course was so easy to follow and I have been going back into the courses to make other costumes with different colors and appliques.”
Debbie Robinson
“I made the belt base with the custom fitting technique you taught [in the Belly Dance Costume Workshop], works so well!!
It was made using the swirly belt technique base, and your beautiful designs. Then I hand beaded, seed beads( large size 6) rhinestone chain and colored flat back crystals. For the belt I added beaded tassels. For the collar, I mounted it on felt with a tie.
What I love about this is that I will have versatility to create different looks. I also love hand beading, so this kept me busy on car trips and quarantine. And I just love the pastel rainbow colors! They make me happy 🙂 “
Hope you enjoyed these beautiful creations and the designers’ stories!
Isn’t it amazing how these costumers took what they saw and learned in the workshop and created these GORGEOUS costumes full of great ideas?
They’ve combined interesting textures, shades of colors and themes, adjusted designs, and decorated their costumes in tasteful ways.
And some of them say those were their FIRST projects. They do NOT look beginner costumers’ creations to me at all!
I hope you enjoyed this showcase as much as I did creating it!
Want to make your own? Check out the Belly Dance Costume Workshop!
If you’re interested in learning A to Z of belly dance costume making and creating your very own costumes to fit YOU well, the next Belly Dance Costume Workshop enrollment starts on Monday, February 28, 2022.
And in every enrollment, I have a special offer to enrich your costume making experience. It’s really fun!
Check out below to learn more about the Belly Dance Costume Workshop!
Click here to learn more about the workshop!
Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 🙂