Ruboff complete!

Recently, I purchased a top & pants to wear for class. I liked the top so much that I began to search the web for a pattern similar to the top and pants. Not much luck on these particular designs. I've come to find out that "certain" designs are NOT in pattern form! Well one thing lead to another, after reading blog post on "how to copy a pattern" I tried my hand at this one. It just seemed that this is something I could do. It's simple, using stretch fabric is not too challenging and I do have the proper needles. I selected a white knit in my bundle of don't know what to make with this. I used brown wrapping to rub off the top pattern, it was easy enough. I did past the suggestion of making a muslin of the top first, it would not work for stretch fabric. It came out well. Sad to say I did not have white thread, grey will do it's a trial copy and just for class so why sweat the threads. I have copies of the pants, these I will tackle very soon.

The white top is the rub off. The maroon, velvet is the basic choli pattern from Annabella (she is listed in my links), this pattern is invaluable if you are a dancer. It works in stretch velvet, and other types of stretch fabrics. I've made it at least 10 times. You can also add sleeve drapes, an easy pattern for me. Tip: get the darts just right and listen to music while you work!

www.spandexworld.com stretch fabric galore
www.denverfabrics.com a good selection of costume fabrics

The new issue of Threads magazine(for people who love to sew) is out, nice article on sewing with velvet. www.threadsmagazine.com
Sew Stylish article on "Make Your Own Simple Patterns." www.craftystylish.com

The Pattern

This is the pattern that we use for the beledi dress. BD #1003 (I failed to insert the photo on an earlier post) I did some modifications and adjustments to the pattern. 1st - I made it longer to the ankle, 2nd - I slimmed down the width of the dress. It seemed to work better for me, if the dress fitted closer to the body. We used stretch fabric, I'm sure you can use something without stretch. The dress is very flattering to all figures. (Radhiya's opinion) If using this pattern, be sure to purchase 60" wide fabric. It can be tricky to lay it out, the sleeves are 1 yard across! If your fabric is not wide enough, you will have slice the sleeves at the shoulder and re-lay them. The pattern can work well for troupe costuming as well as beginner sewers. I did try to find the link to the vendor but it seems as if she is not on-line or perhaps it's just down for now. But I did include a few links above on where to purchase belly dance patterns. Most of the pattern companies are on line, but the basic companies, McCalls, Butterick, Simplicity and Vogue all sell costume patterns.

http://www.squidoo.com/bellydancecostumes

http://www.adiradance.com/dance_costume_c/BD_PAT/Patterns

Our Red Beledi Dress

One more red costume to complete, still working on the bra....the dress is all cutout, waiting for the pieces to be serged. It's a drag to change the threads on the serger, but necessary. Covering a bra is challenging but fun; I do enjoy hand sewing. If I could just stay off line, I'd be done. I chose the BD Pattern # 1003. Sewer beware, I'd suggest only using 60" wide fabric. I learned the hard way and had to detach the sleeves on a couple of the dresses.
Sad to say the fabric was not wide enough. My "test" costume, was shorter than I liked. The shorter version works well with harem pants. Adding length makes a perfect "beledi dress". I found the orginal fabric at a WalMart. At $1 per yard I purchased the entire bolt! It was not enough for everyone, so we had to go with alternate choices of fabric.

I made 4 of the dresses on the picture, I not going to tell which ones, but I'm so very proud of my troupe. We are blessed to have a talented blended group. This is a supportive group of women. I "heart" them all.