Purple hip scarf bra

There is another fast way to create a belly dance bra, without all the beading and sequins. Simply stitch an inexpensive hip scarf to a bra. This $8 scarf is hand stitched around the top then is allowed to hang over the bra, and finally ties closed over the clasps at the back.



I really like wearing this bra, and it falls beautifully - my bust even jingles while I move... but the bra underneath is so lovely, and it's hidden. Sometime, I will buy another bra, remove the hip scarf off here and stitch it onto a plain inexpensive one.



This bra is so lovely underneath, it deserves to have some sequins on it, just to show it's loveliness. (Have you shown your bra lately? Hee hee.) I am feeling inspired to stitch on some purple, green and yellow pansies.

Teal and Tangerine Belly Dance Bra

Ooh! I think someone has the bug!



I bought this bra, which PERFECTLY matched the unusual fluro pink/orange fabric swatch - now made into harem pants -  I had been carrying around in my bag.

The bra was so pretty it didn't need much blinging. So I added two different sized sequins - large pink with teal over the top, and some pink with gold, attached in a random arrangement.



While I have worn it a couple of times, I am still looking for a fringe or tassels to hang around underneath in just the right shade.

Blue sparkly belly dance bra for Kerri

I've had so much fun decorating Belly Dance bras, that I have quickly used up all my supplies (time to scout for bargain bras and matching sequins and motifs).

So I offered to decorate some for my girlfriend Kerri. She sews amazingly, and has been sewing her own ballroom dancing clothes for over 20 years, but the handwork is not her favourite. Woo hoo! I get to do some more handwork without buying supplies!

This is her first pair, covered in a remnant of blue sparkly fabric, then freestyle sequined by me.

Black with blue flower belly dance bra

And an even faster way!

I bought a black sequined top at the opp shop for $1, then cut it to cover a $5 bargain bra, appliqued around the edge to stitch on the black background, while turning the edge under.

A blue sequin motif was added, and ta-da! A very very quick (and very reasonable priced) addition to the Belly Dance costume collection was created.

Just a little note, if you are thinking of doing this yourself, watch that the sequins folded under the edge don't scratch your skin - you might need to use very sharp scissors to trim the excess away.

Teal and gold belly dance bra

The second attempt at beading a belly dance bra resulted in much larger beads and an applique motif on one side. This greatly reduced the time taken to complete the beading.



I really like the assymetry of the design, with the applique motif on only one side. Followed by a design that vaguely mirrored it on the opposite side.

The pearly sequins are also a favourite.

Striped belly dance bra

How does a new Mum get to sew when she is busy with 3 children and family life?
She squeezes in hand sewing!

Finally, it was time to return to grown up, independant activities, such as belly dancing.

It was also time to create some costumes. Belly dancing gives me time with my Circle of Women, and it allows us to feel free for that time... to wear clothes we wouldn't normally wear, and enjoy our bodies and the way they move.

Hand beading and sequins, yes, I can do that without setting up the sewing machine for 10 minutes, not knowing when Bub would wake up again.

Here is my first attempt at the sequins/beading.

Each sequin is individually stitched on with a bead in the centre. Colours were chosen to allow a few different skirts to be worn with this bra (one bra could make a few outfits). Since making it I have decided that next time I will use larger beads (hence why I created stripes, so that every piece of surface did not need to be sequinnned, plus the bra was so beautiful, it didn't need to be covered up completely).

Careful! I think this could become addictive!

Birthing necklace

The birthing necklace was finished just in time.

These photos were taken by "Reflections Of Us" the night before labour inducement day, 2 days before baby Sampson was born.




Feeling the love, energy and spirit of my circle of women as I wore the beads they had chosen.



These photos show how precious this finished piece is to me. I wore it in the early stages of labour, surrounded by my Womenfolk.