Ask the Costume Goddess:

Making a Hip Drape

by Dina Lydia

The Question

Dear Costume Goddess:

Regarding your advice for the pear-shaped figure - Please describe how to make the little hip drape shown on the "do" figure. I find all of your advice columns very helpful. Thanks!

--Hippy Too!

The Costume Goddess Responds

Dear Ms. Hip,

Thank goodness, an easy question!

The "saddlebag disguise" drape I have illustrated is simply a rectangular scarf or veil about 2 1/2 to 3 yards long which is secured at the sides of belt by tucking in to the top of the belt, or pinning or sewing to the skirt itself as shown. This second method has the advantage of leaving the top of the belt free to tuck your other veil, the one you will pulling out to use for veil work.

Have a friend help you arrange the veil into the most flattering drape. The back should dip down low enough to show your fringe, as shown. Safety pin or sew it in place, or sew a loop of ribbon at each side of skirt casing and pull the veil through, which gives you the option of adding it or not.

This works well for a decorated veil which looks lovely draped over your skirt but is too heavy to use for veil work, or one that has an undecorated side which is less attractive.

Ironically it also is flattering on hips that are too narrow, because it adds more "flip" to the hip and the illusion of a curve.

--The Costume Goddess

Related Articles

Other articles on this web site related to costuming items on the hips include:

About the Costume Goddess

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.

Costume Goddess Photos

To view a photo gallery featuring pictures of Dina, costumes she has designed, and her friends, either click on the choices below or visit her web site:

• Part 1: Regular Costumes
• Part 2: Novelty Costumes

The contents of this page are copyrighted 2009 by Dina Lydia. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is forbidden.

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