Last few weeks, I’ve been decorating this grey costume 🙂 I made the drape sleeve with lace…. added appliques… and I even made a matching hair clip that doesn’t fall off 🙂 It’s really fun seeing how the costume evolved! In this post, I’ll finish up this costume by adding small sparkly decorations. Let’s get started! How to make the bra… Read more →
So I opened my DIY Applique Kit shop a little while ago, and people love the kits because they come with everything you need to create beautiful appliques yourself! 😀 But some of them asked, “How do I attach the appliques to a costume?” A very good question 🙂 In this post, I’ll show you exactly… 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 →
Have you seen gathered fabrics used to decorate dance costumes or formal dresses? That might be pleating or ruching. Both of them add colours, textures and such elegance to costumes and dresses, and it can be an easy way to decorate your costumes. But it can be tricky to create the look, especially when you’re working with… Read more →
I picked up super cute spandex fabric when I visited the garment district in NYC last year with Mahin, and I knew I had to make a playful baladi dress out of it. I did a baladi dress tutorial before with a keyhole neckline, but this time I wanted to make one to pair with a Dina style bra. So… Read more →
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 →
I wanted to start off the new year with the most common costuming problem that belly dancers have – gaping bra cups. Our body goes through changes, but most belly dance bra cups are not so flexible. And most of them are heavily decorated, so cutting up the bra cups is too much work and you may wreck the beautiful… 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 →
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 →