PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Position the pads at the bottom of the cup and towards the side, then try on — as always. If positioned correctly, you may even acquire a bit of cleavage! Your friends will hardly recognize you! When you get a pleasing result, tack the pad around the edges to the lining of the cup. A smaller flatter pad can be layered on top of this if you still need more filler. But don't overpad or the bra edges will actually stand away from your body — looks awful!

This photograph to the right shows how this method enables even an "A" cup costume goddess to achieve cleavage!

• Ask The Costume Goddess: A Pear-Shaped Figure. If you're flat on top but have wide hips, here are further suggestions that may help.
• Ask The Costume Goddess: Small Hips. If your flat bustline is teamed with small hips, you may find these ideas helpful.

• Ask The Costume Goddess: Thin Dancer. If you're thin all over, here are additional ideas on how to look your very best in a belly dance costume.

Dina has been sewing for more than twenty-five years (yes, she started as a toddler!)

She's also an artist (Maryland Institute of Art) and perfected her sewing techniques apprenticed to various designers, freelancing for small theaters, restyling vintage garments, and altering wedding gowns.

Dina fell in love with belly dancing costumes upon her very first lesson. Now the pleasure of wearing her own designs, and seeing others wear them, offers as much pleasure as dancing. She's become expert as well in altering those troublesome ready-made Egyptian costumes, and modifying designs to flatter individual figures.

She holds workshops in Seattle to teach design and construction of cabaret costumes, and analysis of figure characteristics. She will also give private lessons, or resize or repair a secondhand costume. She's thus earned her Costume Goddess title.

The Costume Goddess Tells All Costuming Books

Dina has published six books of her own on belly dance costuming as well as writing nearly all the costuming section for The Belly Dance Book. For information on her series of books, The Costume Goddess Tells All, see her web site at www.costumegoddess.com. For reviews here on Shira.net of some of her books, see:

• Volume 1: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Advice on designing a belly dance costume that will look flattering for your figure type.
• Volume 2: Easy Costume for Bellydancers. Explains how to create easy-to-make costume items if you have very little sewing experience.
• Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Detailed instructions for making your own bra/belt set. Emphasis on the beaded/sequined look, but some coin information too.
• Volume 4: Arm Costume for Bellydancers. Creative ideas for sleeves, armbands, gauntlets, and drapes.
• Volume 5: Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers. Cholis, vests, and other tops suitable for U.S. Tribal costuming.
• Volume 6: Thrifty Chic for Bellydancers. Transforming thrift shop bargains into belly dance costume pieces.
• Volume 7: Headpieces for Bellydancers. Many simple, inexpensive ideas for costuming from the neck up.