Musing's of the Niblet
Showing posts with label costume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label costume. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Gypsy's work is never done...

Costumes. It's all I seem to think about anymore. Obsess really is more like it. No, not like a halloween costume. Well, I guess you could use it for Halloween. I mean dancer costumes. (Get your mind out of the gutter! I don't mean THAT kind of dancer!!) I mean Ghawazee dancers, belly dancers and the like.

Tassel and coin belt, circle skirts and harem pants, Ghawazee coats and turkish vests; my Muse will not stop!! She is relentless! Since she won't let me get onto any of the other half million projects I had on the go, dance costumes it is. (She alwyas gets her way!)


These are only two of the variations I have come up with. This one ----}
is by far my favorite. The base of the Ghawazee coat is from the Al-Zahra's Coat pattern I mentioned last year in the blog. I didn't like the sleeves on it, so I invented my own! They feature a cut out portion on the upper arm and a flowing section of lined gorgeous fabric draping from above the elbow, creating visual movement when one dances. (Which sadly, I still need to learn how to do!)

The tassel belt is my own design, but the coin belt under is purchased (gasp) and not made by me. I love hand sewing, but that was a little too much even for me. The circle skirt is wide and matches the plaquard of material peeking out on the neckline, and would look awesome with a coin bra. (I'm getting to it, I promise...)

The next one is simple by comparison. Layered over the same skirt and top as the previous costume, this sleeveless variety would be much better suited to summer dancing. It's lightweight, highlights coin bras or under choli's nicely and keeps you cool in cotton. Now if only I could wear it to the grocery store...

**I didn't make the super cool belt with all the charms and coins. That I purchased last year at the local Ukerainian Festival. So very neat!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Miserable Day? Time for online shopping!!

I love shopping online. How can it be beat? You find the perfect item, order it quickly, forget about it just as fast and then like a month later, it's like Christmas in March!! (Well actually it is like Christmas in March...stupid snow!!)

I'd been eyeing up a really cool looking pattern online for Gypsy/Belly Dancing costumes. (No, I dont dance but I would like to. One of the New Years resolutions I plan to get to sometime before the next New Year.) So of course being stuck inside on a miserable day gave me plenty excuse to order it up. Now if only I knew how to sew better...

Admittedly, I dont sew a lot, in fact barely at all. But as my mother would tell you, that has never stopped me from finding a million patterns and bringing them to her doorstep with a thousand ideas and no clue how to get there. (If you guessed that my mother did the lion's share of the work then you're right on the money! I usually make sandwiches or make myself otherwise useful. I mean I'm not lazy I just cant sew!)

Here I am again, full of ideas on a grey March day, spinning my wheels until the pattern gets here and I wont have a clue what to do when it does. (Should have paid better attention in Home Ec class!)

Maybe mom will give me some pointers...I'll bring the sandwiches...grilled cheese anyone?