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Rhinestone Embellished Assiut: Part 1

Rhinestone Embellished Assiut
Part 1: Essential Materials and Supplies 

My troupe Swirl performed at an end-of-year belly dance show at Christmas in the park in San Jose, California. For this performance, we were a trio and we choose to wear a wintery blue and silver assiut ensemble with black and silver accents.

Over the next few blog posts, I’m going to share my step-by-step process for how we took our assiut robes to the next level by adding rhinestone chain embellishment.  Interested in learning more about this process?  Be sure to read to the end and follow the links to the next installment.

Purchasing an Assiut Robe

These blue assiut robes were purchased from a dealer on Etsy between 2014 and 2019. If you are currently shopping for an assiut robe. I have just a few tips that can make the process go more smoothly. 
  • Research and Set your Budget:  Once you’ve decided to purchase a robe, take some time to do some research. Window-shop to get a sense of what’s currently being made in Egypt, identify dealers who are active in the market, and learn what the going prices are for different kinds of pieces.  Then set a budget for your project and have that cash ready when you spot the assuit robe of your dreams.
  • Know Your Measurements:  Assiut robes are hand-crafted and vary wildly in width and length. Take your measurements and know what your widest circumference and your preferred length. When you are shopping, be sure to check the measurements, and ask the dealer for size details if you can’t spot them in the listing.
  • Be Flexible with Color and Size: The assiut market is very volatile. Sometimes there are lots of options. Sometimes there are few available for sale. Be patient and allow yourself plenty of time prior to an event to allow for the hunt, shipping, and alterations when it arrives.
  • Support your Favorite Belly Dance Dealers: Although assiut is made in Egypt, there are many dealers in the US that have pieces on hand. Buying from a US dealer supports a belly dance business and our community as a whole.  Shipping times within the US are also much quicker.
  • Look Regularly on Etsy and Ebay: Because assiut robes can be difficult to source, it pays to window shop frequently. I encourage shoppers to make friends with dealers so they will be on the hunt for the color and style you’re looking for.

Looking for more assiut shopping tips? Check out this article:

Gathering Supplies

So here is a links list to the items I use when sewing rhinestone chain onto assiut. I highly recommend using nylon upholstery thread in a silver tone. You might have the rest of these items in your sewing kit.

If you choose to follow these links: Thank you!

I make a tiny commission on sales using the affiliate links above. Amazon affiliate money pays for my website and blog. Using these links keeps all that info free and available to belly dancers today and in the year to come. If Amazon isn’t your jam – visit your local sewing and craft stores to get the tools and supplies you need to complete this project.

Thank you for joining me on this assiut robe embellishment journey!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Dec. 18, 2022

 

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By Davina

Davina ~ Dawn Devine is a belly dance costume designer, dance instructor and author of more than a dozen publications on Middle Eastern dance.