Customer Reviews

Belly Dance Costume Making

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very disappointed in this publication -- "slim for the money" is something of an understatement in my opinion. A dozen saddle-stapled legal-size xeroxes doth not a trade paperback make, really, and much of the information can be had on the 'net for free. The sketches are amateurish at best, confusing at worst. I'd never EVER sent an order back to Amazon.com -- until now.

There're /much/ better texts on the subject available right here at Amazon.com; I'd advise saving your money for those rather than spending on this.

It's a pamphlet, really, and slim for the money, but considering the scarcity of belly dance material in mainstream bookstores, it contains enough worthwhile information for someone who's clueless about costume. Costura wrote it as a tutorial for her own students, so it covers basic instructions for belts, skirts, beledi dresses, folkloric dresses, headdresses, arm bands, harem pants, and more. While it doesn't go into extreme sewing detail, it's a great idea book, and it certainly expands on the repertoire of (mostly purchased) costumes I've seen.

The line drawings illustrate things clearly enough, and while I question the topology of her skirt layouts as printed, they're easily fixed. All in all, I willingly parted with my cash to pore over this book and dream.

GREAT PRACTICAL INFORMATION -- I bought this booklet several years ago while taking the author's folk/belly dance classes at college. (They were great and changed my life.) The information in the booklet has saved me from having to buy those expensive ready-made costumes to perform in. The fundamental directions are easy to follow for non-sewers, especially with no formal patterns. And it inspired me with other creative ideas. I still refer to this manual often. I would highly recommend it for anyone seeking instructions and inspirations for making costumes in simple terms regardless of their level of training. This is a "practical guide" you can make notes on -- not a coffee-table book.

I found this book to be most helpful for those who do not sew a whole lot. The sketches are pretty straight forward, and the instructions easy to understand.

This slim booklet will help a beginner dancer plan and construct her first dance costume. All the necessary costume considerations are included. Simple garment patterns are illustrated with line drawings and the sewing instructions are easy to follow. Embellishment techniques are briefly outlined to give the beginner an idea of how to decorate the base costume components. The book would really benefit from more professional illustrations or photographs of finished costumes but overall, it is an inexpensive starter book for anyone attempting to make their first belly dance costume.