DIY tribal overskirt hip skirt

DIY 10-Minute Tribal Overskirt / Hip Skirt with Side Ruffles

This week I have a super easy DIY project for you! I love the fun look of overskirts or hip skirts often worn by tribal fusion dancers, and even if you are not into tribal, you can wear an overskirt in place of a hip scarf over your practice pants. It’s fun to layer them in different colours and textures.… Read more →

How to Make Cut Outs on Skirts

How to Make Cut Outs on Skirts

Decorative cut outs on costume skirts create such a fancy and unique look. And even though these cut outs make your costume look professional, they are pretty easy to make! In this video, you will see how to make these small cut outs and still keep your skirt nice and sturdy. Click here to sign up for the Sparkly Belly… Read more →

How to Make a Mermaid Skirt Pt 2

How to Make a Mermaid Skirt Part 2: Fabric, Cut & Sew

Update – Since I published this post, I received many questions, so I’ve updated the post. If you came back to this post, have a read again below. If you are new… welcome! 🙂 First, I’d like to say THANK YOU for such positive responses to How to Make a Mermaid Skirt Part 1. It was so touching to see… Read more →

How to Make a Mermaid Skirt Pt 1 Pattern Making

How to Make a Mermaid Skirt Part 1: Pattern Making

Update – Since I published this post, I received many questions, so I’ve updated the post. If you came back to this post, have a read again below. If you are new… welcome! 🙂 You asked for it… And here it is – DIY Mermaid Skirt! Mermaid skirts are also called trumpet skirts, and they tend to be tight around… Read more →

How to Make Armbands

Bella inspired Gauntlets Part 2: How to Make Armbands

Happy New Year! 😀 Sparkly Belly’s first post of the year is How to Make Armbands! This is Part 2 of how to make Bella inspired gauntlets. Part 1 was about how to make the wristbands. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out from here. In this video, you will see how to make the armbands, how to… Read more →

How to Make Wristbands

Bella inspired Gauntlets Part 1: How to Make Wristbands

I love Bella costumes. I don’t own one (yet), but whenever I have an opportunity to look at them, the details on Bella costumes are something I can stare and observe for a long time. These gauntlets were inspired by this costume by Bella. See more of these beautiful creations at http://www.bellacostumes.com/ Some of you suggested awesome ideas for me to… Read more →

How to Make a Net Fringe Design for Belly Dance Hip Scarf

How to Make a Net Fringe Design for Belly Dance Hip Scarf

Recently, I made a video on DIY Fringe Hip Scarves for Tiazza’s Free Bellydance Classes. If you haven’t heard, Tiazza’s website is an awesome resource for belly dancers! You can find lots of videos on techniques, music, cultures… and discussions on interesting topics. I will include a link here once my video is published 🙂 It is such an honour, and I… Read more →

How to Turn a Tube of Fabric without Tube Turner

How to Turn a Tube of Fabric Fast without Tube Turner

We make lots of tubes when we make shoulder straps, ties etc for belly dance costumes. To create a clean looking shoulder strap, you need to sew a tube wrong side out, then turn the tube so the pretty side of the fabric shows. I used to get frustrated when making tubes, because when the tube is narrow like a 1cm wide,… Read more →

How to Make a Circle Skirt and Circle Skirt Pattern

How to Make a Circle Skirt & Pattern for Belly Dancers

What was your very first skirt you owned as a belly dancer? For me, it was a circle skirt, and I think it is a great choice for the first skirt to dance in. Circle skirts are versatile, and easy to match with different belts and hip scarves. They flow very nicely, and look beautiful when you twirl. I love when… Read more →

How to Make Appliques for belly dancers

How to Make Appliques for Belly Dance Costumes – 3 Ways

Appliques are usually pieces of ornamented fabric that you can attach to your clothes, bags etc. For belly dance costumes, beaded appliques are used often, and placing a few appliques on the costume bra and belt or skirt gives the whole costume a uniform and balanced look. This video was inspired by a long thread about how to make appliques… Read more →