Make a Bellydance Bra and Belt

A tutorial on how to create one of the most common belly dance costume pieces - the decorated bra.

Steps

  1. Use a firm cup bra that is one cup size larger than you normally wear. Black, white, tan, any color. It's important that it's comfortable.
  2. Remove everything that stretches from the bra including the straps and sides. Leave the cups attached in the middle because it's easier to work with the bra if the cups are attached and leave about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} on each side of the cups to have something to sew to.
  3. "Stiffen" the bra by applying two coats of fabric stiffener available at any fabric or craft store. Let the first coat dry overnight before applying the second coat. This will give added shape and strength before you start adding decorations.
  4. Hand sew decorative fabric over each bra cup and the center section after the bra is completely dry. Any fabric will work, satin and silk type fabrics are a good option.
  5. Measure the length needed to extend from the cup to the center of your back.
  6. Measure the width around to center back - where your regular bra normally is.
  7. Create side pieces and straps from heavy interfacing or horsehair interfacing adding about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} just in case you gain weight. Then add decorative fabric to side and back pieces. It's helpful to use the pieces that you cut off as a pattern and add length to make up for the stretch that you lose when you use non-stretch fabric.
  8. Decorate your bra by sewing beads, sequins, appliques etc to the cups, straps and back of the bra.
  9. Add heavy duty skirt/trouser hook and eyes to the back straps to "close the bra"
  10. Add felt to the inside cups and side straps of the bra to absorb sweat and make the bra soft and cushy.
  11. Finished.

Tips

  • Glue the felt inside the bra instead of sewing it in and when it gets "gross" just pull it out and re-glue fresh felt.
  • Use some kind of "fray" stopping substance that will prevent the fabric, beads, and appliques from fraying or falling apart from frequent wearing.
  • Cut the straps "way too long" and then downsize.
  • Get a friend to mark where you need to sew the straps to the cups and where it needs to join in the back.
  • Don't use a lace bra, sometimes stage lights will make a bra transparent even though you've covered it with fabric.
  • Try on the bra frequently when you are creating the straps and side pieces.
  • Invest in a thimble, heavy duty thread and "sewer's aid" which is a lubricant that makes thread slide through fabric easier.
  • Put silica gel (those packs of stuff in shoe boxes that say "Do Not Eat") in with your costume and dance bags. It will absorb moisture and keep your costumes fresh.
  • Don't use lightweight materials or chiffon to decorate your bra because you will usually have to use two layers if it's sheer...which means more hand sewing, which you may be quite happy to do.

Warnings

  • Do take it slow, it's a tedious process which takes time and patience.
  • More decorative stuff, you always need more than you thought you needed.
  • Do have a basic understanding of sewing.
  • Do not think that this is easy.
  • Do get about a yard of decorative fabric in case you mess up and to have enough to make a belt.
  • Do keep needle, thread, and your bra projects in the car, you can always sew while your waiting on the kids to finish practice or any other time that you are just sitting and waiting.
  • Do not under-appreciate all the work it will take to make your bra look "real".

Things You'll Need

  • Bra
  • Decorative Fabric at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}
  • All the decorative stuff that you want to add to it.
  • More decorative stuff because you can never have enough.
  • Fabric Stiffener
  • Sewers Lubricant
  • Felt
  • Heavy weight interfacing or horsehair interfacing.
  • Band-Aid and Tissue from poking yourself about 1000 times with the needle and to keep from bleeding all over your pretty new bra.

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Sources and Citations

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