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Adapting Commercial PatternsPerhaps the most common questions I am asked is this, "Do you sell patterns?" My three books are all about making costumes, and, for the most part, give directions for making pieces from body measurements. Patterns are a late 19th century American invention. Seamstresses have grown to rely on them over the past 100 years. However, historically people have crafted their body covering from scratch, relying only on the materials available and their bodies to provide the measurements. Looms determined the width of the fabric. Choices in materials were limited to what fibers were available locally. Only since the industrial revolution has fabric been so easy to purchase. Contemporary seamstresses can buy a wide assortment of fabrics and only have to worry about the construction process. And yet, sewing seems to be a fading art. With ready-made clothing so widely available, making your own clothing becomes a creative process rather than a necessity. But when it comes to specialty belly dance clothes, making your own costumes might be a necessity. Imported costumes are expensive, sizes are limited and fit can be challenging. Custom seamstresses are an expensive alternative that can bite into even the biggest budget. While there are many wonderful Patterns for covering bras - An Impossible Dream Building Bras from Scratch Other types of garments are easy to make from patterns. Skirts, pants, vests, blouses and other accessory and supporting garments are quicker and easier to make from established patterns. But where do you find the patterns? Below is a list of patterns that you can find commercially and how it can fit into your costume plans. Many of the patterns that I use are now out of print. So rather than use specific pattern numbers, I will describe the features of the garments and how they can be used to create beautiful functional costume pieces. Start by going to your favorite fabric store and planning an afternoon of thumbing through the pattern catalogs. Look at the illustrations with a critical eye. How would that look in some stretch velvet? How would those pants look under a full fluffy dance skirt? Would those gloves make a good accessory to accent your dancewear? Fitted Dresses with back zipper - This style is perfect for a satin or velvet beladi dress. Look for princess line details that create flattering fit and interesting style-lines. Make sure to look in both the Bridal/Evening and Dress sections of the catalog. Stretch Sheath - Look for styles that have shoulder-lines that need little adjustment to make a sexy dance dress. Many sheaths have spaghetti straps that are just tiny little strings. Remember, these can be made more substantial. Full Skirts - Every season, most pattern companies feature a full tiered skirt. Remember, you will be wearing this on your hips, not your waist, so make sure when you are pattern shopping, you buy according to your hip width. Straight Skirts - Over the past several years, long stretch skirts with slits have been very popular. There are many patterns that can be adapted to dance wear when made from fabrics containing lycra. Patterns aren't set in stone, remember, you could cut a skirt off at the knee and add a ruffle of chiffon or even change the shape by cutting slits in a variety of places and adding a row of decorative edge trims. Pants - Sweat pants patterns can be adapted to make harem pants by cutting down the waist line and expanding the width of the legs. Look in the sportswear patterns as well as the unisex area for this style of pants. Also too, check the costume patterns, you might find a 'Harem Girl' pattern that only needs a little alteration to make dance pants. Body Stockings - Look for bathing suit or leotard fabric to create your own custom body stockings. With summer in the air, most fabric stores have a wide selection of swimsuit fabrics. Many styles this year use mesh panels. This mesh can be turned into made up in a leotard pattern, making a body stocking. Having a serger will make the sewing process go quickly. Gloves - In the bridal or evening wear accessory areas, you can find patterns for gloves. Custom made gloves that match your dress can be an exciting way to accessorize. Gloves can be made as long as you like by extending patterns, although if you hunt around, you may be able to find opera lengths. Shrug - A popular accessory over the last two years, has been the shrug. This garment consists of two sleeves with a strip connecting them across the back. This pattern can make a very fresh and innovative accessory for a high glamour dance costume. Vests - A little vest can be an exciting accent piece for many different styles of dance costumes. Look for sexy little eveningwear- accentuating vests or even a little jacket - simply visualize what it would look like without the sleeves! For an under-bust style vest, look in the costume patterns for historical European style bodices that can be transformed into an under bust vest. There are many many other pattern styles that can be adapted
to make elegant, beautiful costume pieces. Below is a list of
on-line resources to give you an idea of what is available. But
be aware that the pattern companies don't put their entire catalog
on-line. Especially the big four, Vogue, Butterick, Simplicity
and McCalls, their print catalogs are filled with numerous styles,
but their websites may only features the season's current and
freshest styles and looks. Take the time to go out and do the
research and check out the pattern catalogs to see the complete
catalog offerings. On-Line ResourcesPattern Companies on Line:
Belly Dance Specialty Patterns:
For another perspective on dance
patterns and reccomendations check out Belly
Dance Costume Patterns |
