I spend a lot of time doodling and drawing. Fantasizing on paper what I can make in cloth. To simplify the drawing process, I have a collection of croquis that I use as a proportional guides for my sketching. In the design world, a Croquis, (which is French for “sketch” ) are used as a simple tool to keep designers from having to map out female forms over and over. As a costume designer, I build a croquis for each of my regular clients, and then use that to sketch out our costuming plans together.
Serina - Belly Dance Paper Doll to Color
Serina started out as a croquis, but I found her so charming, that I turned her into a more complete drawing. When I was done, I realized that it would be fun to treat her like a paper doll with a variety of costumes. So here is Serena, my first belly dance paper doll to color. I’ve included 8.5″ by 11″ printables below if you want to print her out and have some fun coloring in her costume – or even designing a new one!
Nicole Simone wearing an Assiut Fusion Bra by Dawn Devine
Bras for Belly Dance Costuming Spring 2012
“Davina, What’s the best bra for making a belly dance costume?
The answer isn’t simple. There is no one single bra style that will fit and flatter everybody. Instead, you will have to get out to the stores and try bras on. When you go to shop for bras, take the kind of padding you would use in your bra and give it the stuff treatment. You might want to consider going up in cup size and down in band size. It’s common practice to remove the bra band, so the size is not as relevant, but if you are large busted, you might want to carry some bra extenders so you can try band sizes that are smaller than you would ordinarily wear. And remember – if you are shopping on line, don’t be afraid to return bras that aren’t working for you!
So, what features bra features should you look for? I always take these four things into consideration.
Underwires – Bras with sturdy underwires are more supportive.
Foam or padded cups – Bras that have substance will provide your costume with a sturdy base to stitch your embellishments to.
Coverage – Remember – this is a costume and not lingerie. You want to ensure that you have enough coverage to be comfortable in the public eye and with no risk of nipple exposure.
Budget – Buy the best you can afford – but don’t exceed your budget!
Here are a few of my current favorites to help you get started in your quest. Good Luck!
Adriana wearing custom bra by Dawn Devine - Visit her website to find out more about this lovely professional dancer and instructor. http://www.adrianabellydance.com/
Adriana wearing custom bra by Dawn Devine - Visit her website to find out more about this lovely professional dancer and instructor. http://www.adrianabellydance.com/
Top 10 Reasons to Make a New Costume
10 – You have been taking classes for a year and your teacher said those magic words ‘Recital.’
9 – Your best dance buddy got a beautiful new costume and she wants to do a duet.
8 – You finally have enough cash to afford a lovely piece of assuit or other equally expensive and drop-dead gorgeous fabric.
7 – You’ve lost/gained 30 lbs and have earned a whole new wardrobe to go with your fabulous new figure!
6 – You just took a Gypsy-esqe workshop and now need a new full skirt to dance with.
5 – This season’s ‘In’ color isn’t IN your wardrobe – yet.
4 – There’s a show coming up and EVERYONE has seen every costume you own.
3 – You couldn’t resist that shimmy belt, and now you need a whole ensemble to go with it!
2 – You just saw someone else wearing that Exclusive, Custom, Designer original you bought at the last festival.
1 – Because you CAN!
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Special thanks goes out to Adriana who is one of the featured models in my upcoming book about assiut/assiut costuming. Visit her website for more details about her performances and classes throughout the greater San Francisco/Bay Area.
Jean Jingler I selected for my embellishment. This is one of my last fiew, and I believe it didn't get selected because the contrast between the brassy triangle and the bright silver of the chain.
Well.. I didn’t quite get that bra done in 48 hours, but all hope is not lost. Today was the Saturday of Bedouin Bazaar and I had a bit of time between watching performances, catching up with old friends, and selling books, to do a bit of work. While the bra was mostly done, I had a few things that needed to be addressed. First, it needed something – anything – done to the center front to give it a bit of swing and flash. After I had laid out all of my jewelry, I found one of my jewelry pieces, a Jean Jingler, would work admirably for a decoration on this bra. If not permanently, than perhaps just for this weekend.
Jean Jingler I selected for my embellishment. This is one of my last fiew, and I believe it didn’t get selected because the contrast between the brassy triangle and the bright silver of the chain.
However, when I laid the piece out I noticed that there were not enough coins to reach all the way to the clasps. So, I had a bit of work to do. So while I was hanging out at the show, I cannibalized s bracelet and applied them to the selected Jean Jingler to fill in the gap.
This gap is too big for my tastes, so I need to add a few coins.Gap filled, time to apply to the bra.The center piece needs to be firmly stitched at the center front. I stich it to the bottom edge using a double strand of upholstery thread.For the outer edges, I stitch on a tailor’s loop to serve as an anchor point for the clasp.
Lather, rinse, repeat. I made a tailor’s loop on the other side as well and hooked the clasp. At that point, I started doing some cleaning up of the stitching, making the front angles a bit neater, cleaning up some of the loose edges. When I was “done enough” because, you know, this kind of finishing work can go on forever, I paused and held the bra up to me. The appearance of this bra caused a but of a fuss as the vendors around me oohed and ahhhed over the progress. Thanks to Jackson for snapping this picture of me.
And here I am, holding up the bra for a peek. I think this will work!David of Scandinavia preparing for performance Bedouin Bazaar
Although I think it’s good enough for now, I’m interested in finishing up the edges around the center a bit better. I think some trim or another piece of assiut as an applique to cover the plain black triangle. This Jean Jingler looks pretty good. I think I’m going to leave it as is for tomorrow’s performance.
I was especially excited to see that I wasn’t the only person with assiut at the event. David of Scandinavia performed in a fantastic robe. He was in the middle of preparing for his piece and posing for pictures with some fans. I really love the diamond grid pattern with snow-flake like pattern down the back of his robe and the row of heart-enhanced camels in a band near the hem.
I hunted through the dealer’s offerings and found another assiut gem. But I’ll have photos of that later. For now, I’m going to hit the hay… Tomorrow, a live performance with John Bilezikjian!
Happy Costuming! Dawn Devine ~ Davina
ps – Oh yes, I know, my three day challenge turned into a four day event. But I really like the way this bra is turning out. I’ll follow up with finishing details when I get home and back to the studio. ~ D
