Photography for Assiut Costuming Book has Begun!

I’m so pleased to share with you our progress on our new book. We are in the initial design and preparation phases.  During the months of March and April, I’m making costumes, with the aim of completing one full head-to-toe look at a time. To make this happen, I’m matching assiut pieces and garments to their models. As I discuss designs with my team of dancers, I’m taking into account the style and taste of each dancer, the information that I need to communicate about construction and design, as well as balancing the amount of assiut I have to work with. It’s a bit of a puzzle, and I’m reveling in this challenge.

Using the Studio Davina Planner

Back in December, I announced to my “Studio Davina” Facebook group that I was putting together my own custom calendar. I work in quarterly cycles, and this Small Business Planner gives me a place to park and process all the information I’m gathering together during the production of the new book.

Now that we are swiftly approaching the end of Q1 for 2022, I’m starting to plan which sheets I need to print and bind for my Q2 planner. I’m finding that I’m using some of the pages in quite surprising ways. For instance, in the image above, I’ve used the 6 months on a page to sketch thumbnail flats. In my Q2 planner, there will be many more spreads of this layout to accommodate more brainstorming of ideas.  The printable planner pages are available on Etsy and since they are completely undated, they are useful anytime you want to take your planning to the next level.

Documenting the Assiut Before Cutting

Through the end of April, we’ve planned photoshoots to document this collection. Alisha Westerfeld is our principal photographer for this book with her good camera and the best lighting we can manage in my office.  But both of us are sharing our progress over on our Instagram Feeds. That is where we are sharing outtakes and behind-the-scenes shots in nearly real-time.

Clockwork Alchemy

On Saturday, Alisha and I will be heading to a local steampunk convention where we will be participating in a belly dance show.  Later, I’ll be presenting the talk “Belly Dance: 1893 til Today.”  If you are in the San Francisco/Bay Area, and looking for something to do, come join us on Saturday afternoon in Burlingame, Ca. Learn more about Clockwork Alchemy 2022 by following this link.

Alisha will be wearing a new deluxe assiut ensemble.  Since she’s one of the co-authors, it only seemed fitting to make her ensemble our first of 30 or so looks for the book. Posts on the design and construction coming soon!

Perhaps we’ll see you on Insta, Facebook, or live at an event soon!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina 
March 14, 2022

The Design Code

Principles & Elements of Belly Dance Costume Design 

Join me, author Dawn Devine ~ Davina, for a deep dive into the basic building blocks of costume design. In this talk, we will take a journey through time as we discuss what makes costumes tick.  Learn to crack the code and understand the elements and principles of costume design.  Learn the formula and use it to guide your design choices for an unforgettable costume.

• Understand your existing wardrobe before you shop or buy new costumes.
• Learn how your costuming helps you craft your unique performance identity.
• Shoppers:  Identify good design at a glance to help you pick the best ensemble.
• Dancers: Understand the design elements that visually help you appear larger than life on stage.
• Designers: Learn to apply the “Design Code” to make flattering, unique, and professional looks.

Will I see you there?
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
March 12, 2022

Studio Davina Patreon March 2022

WHEW, I think I can safely say I’m back!  I’m once again on my feet after a fairly intense battle with the plague. Covid sidelined me for about six weeks and greatly reduced my productivity.  So It’s time to get back to doing what I love, teaching classes and sharing the costuming knowledge!  So let me catch you up with what’s happening over on the Studio Davina Patreon March 2022.

Sewing Classes on the Studio Davina Patreon

Patreon is the current home of my sewing classes. My goal has been to produce an ever-growing body of workshops and demos. These design and construction techniques are taught in a real-time live over zoom.  With a little bit of knowledge and luck, we’ll get replays up and archived for Patreon subscribers.

My approach is to hone in on one topic or theme. Then discuss the design methods and construction techniques together as a unified whole. I really enjoy teaching sewing costume design. My hope is this series will grow into a valuable resource library for costumers looking to fill their creative bucket with new approaches, concepts, and skills.

March Special Event – Reshoot • Reboot

Over the past quarter, I’ve managed to hold my classes, but somehow, the recordings didn’t happen due to tech failure, painful sound, and simply just being too sick to be “Share-worthy.”  Now that I’ve recovered most of my voice and have the energy to teach, I’m on a mission to do a full reshoot of the three missing workshops. Along with a bonus live talk where I will share what’s coming in workshop content for the rest of 2022.

50 Minute Monthly Sewing Classes

One of the discoveries I made when reviewing the sad and sick (and now abandoned) video footage is that I was trying to go too fast. After many years of teaching, I realized that I’m used to preparing my presentations for 50 or 90-minute intervals.  Why was I trying to squeeze in my class material into 30 minutes?  Who knows!   But moving forward my monthly sewing class will be 50 minutes of talk and demo, followed by Q&A.

Washing Modern Assiut

Supplies • Materials • Techniques

Thursday, March 24, 7:00 pm Pacific – $7 Patreon Tier

Mad About Maud: Salomania & the Birth of Bedlah

3 Episodes • Pre-Recorded • Belly Dance Costume History 

Full Series Available through March 31, 2022 – $15 Patreon Tier

Thank you for your continued support!

Once again, I want to thank the folks who joined me at the beginning of my Patreon journey and have shared the rocky ride over the past few months!  If you find these sewing classes intriguing, follow me at Patreon on the $7 or above tier.  If you want, even more, join the $15 tier and have access to all the sewing classes and coffee dates, as well as the lecture series.  There are always three lectures available on any given month.  Now through March 31, 2022,  $15 subscribers can access to the full three-part series “Mad About Maud: Salomania and the Birth of Bedlah.”  We will announce April’s lecture topic soon, so stay posted!

Now, Time to get caught up on Patreon!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
www.davina.us
March 7, 2022

Am I Still Making Assiut Masks?

Well, here we are, two years later, and I’m still making assiut masks!  Over the past two years, I’ve made thousands of masks. I’ve made them for my family, for my friends in dance, and for sale. Lots of folks are contacting me who purchased a mask in the Summer of 2020, asking for new masks, replacements for worn-out masks, or for colors related to their costumes.

2022 – Watch for Monthly Etsy Drops

In 2022 I’m focussing on the “big build” making 30 looks for the new book.  With my tight schedule, I’m unable to take commissions. However, when I do have a spare moment in the flow of my work, I will squeeze in making assiut masks where I can.  These masks will be available exclusively through my Etsy store as a monthly “drop.”   As I finish a batch, they will wind up on Etsy, and the listings will vary.  If you want to get a mask, be sure to visit my Etsy store and give it a heart or like.  Then, when new things get added to my store, you will get notified.

Assiut Masks: Back to Scraps

As my “30 Looks” sewing project progresses, I will start using assiut scraps to make masks. I’m using up the fabric intentionally bought to make masks in 2021.  Because these are all hand-crafted, no two will ever be quite the same.  But when it comes to using scraps, they will undoubtedly become more whimsical as the year progresses.

Need one Soon? Tips for making your own!

Need to get an assiut mask in the right color for you?  Why not make your own, or have your favorite seamstress make one for you. Here are my top tips for taking the DIY approach:

• Buy Assiut from a Dealer in the US – Check out Etsy and Ebay and look for dealers who are shipping within the US and can ship to you quickly.  Try Etsy and eBay when sourcing materials using a keyword search, and look at the shipping details.
• Make a Sample out of Plain Cotton – I published a .pdf with a pattern that I have since modified and customized many times.  You can use this pattern as a jumping-off point to make your own. Make any necessary adjustments to for your face shape and comfort. I highly recommend making a sample before cutting into expensive assiut.
•  Sourcing Specialty Supplies – Over the past year, I’ve upgraded my elastic and invested in silicon sliders. I buy these supplies via Amazon. Here’s a basic list to get your started looking for the things you need.
  • Pre-cut ear bands with sliders in black and white.
  • Pre-Cut Ear Bands with sliders – color assortment
  • Just the Elastic in black or white
  • Silicone Sliders in black and white
  • Nose Bridge Strip or Use Wire in 18 or 20 gauge
• Use Quilting Cotton – I’ve found this is best for strength and stability.  It holds up the best to repeated washing and wearing.

HELP – My Assiut Mask is Limp!

Over time, 100% cotton will get softer and more supple.  That’s a kind way of saying limp!  What I do to revive my assiut masks is to treat it with a steam press and some starch to stiffen it back up again!  I know, pressing and starching seem very old school, but it’s worth it to get more life from your assiut mask.  I have a can of Niagra starch that I’m slowly going through.  This one can might last a lifetime!  Right: The Retro-Fabulous Nicole Simone aka “Modern Day Mae” wearing an assiut mask from Studio Davina.

I hope that this info helps you get ready for the 2022 performance season. 
Stay Safe – Stay Healthy – and HAVE FUN!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 24, 2022.

PS —->>  I’m trying to reach a goal of 1000 YouTube subscribers. If you enjoy YouTube, would like to see more of this vlog series, please click through the image below.  Like and Subscribing will help get to over that first hurdle, and unlock the tools and support that come with achieving that magic 1K number.  Thank you for your continued support of my research, costuming, and writing!