Costuming from the Hip [Spiral-bound]

Dawn Devine Brown (Author), Barry Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967817005 | ISBN-13: 978-0967817002 | Publication Date: September 1, 1997

Costuming from the Hip is a comprehensive reference for anyone who works with Middle Eastern dancewear. Dancers, costume makers, designers, and historical re-enactors will like the many illustrations, historical patterns, construction techniques, and hundreds of hints and tips. This 120-page book will take you step-by-step through measuring your body, researching your costume, laying out the patterns, fitting it, and accessorizing your creation.

Topics covered include:
* Making your measurement chart
* Turkish coats, kaftans, and thobes
* Veils
* Jewelry
* Designing for every body type
* Coin, tassle, and cabaret belts
* Bras and cholis
* Shirts, vests, and blouses
* Men's wear
* Going professional.

The book includes a glossary, a list of suppliers specializing in Middle Eastern dancewear, and an extensive bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dawn Devine Brown is a costume historian and belly dancer living in California's Bay Area. She has been dancing for over fifteen years and has been designing historical costumes nearly all her life. She has degrees in both Art History and Fashion Design.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 120 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Devine Brown (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967817005
• ISBN-13: 978-0967817002
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,213,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!, September 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Costuming from the Hip (Spiral-bound)

This is a TERRIFIC book for bellydancers who are starting to explore the world of costume-making for their craft. Even if you can barely sew at all (like me) this book gives you enough information for you to build a multitude of costumes. The drawings show how several different pieces can be re-combined, and multiple variations on a theme.

The binding was purposefully chosen to permit the costumer to lay the book flat (I only wish more cookbooks used this idea!); mine has been laid flat, folded over, and abused in dozens of different ways and has never lost a single page. Bad bindings are easily replaced by the publisher if you send a faulty one back.

This is a PERFECT book for folks on a budget who are trying to achieve an expensive look without breaking their wallet as well; it's affordably priced and it covers inexpensive techniques that look like a fortune. I've frequently referred back to this book while creating new outfits.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Create a Costume that is Uniquely YOU, February 4, 2002

By 

Wendy A. B. Whipple (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Costuming from the Hip (Spiral-bound)

This is a very well-done book for costuming. From constructing a coin belt to making a Turkish coat and everything in between, you will be able to design the perfect costume for you. She even includes tips on what types of costumes look best on certain body types! No matter your "flaws," if you take the advice in this book, you will be a Goddess in your costume.

Brown's bibliography is extensive, and so is her resouce list. I cannot wait to get my copy of "From Turban to Toe Ring!"

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just starting off, June 4, 2002

By 

Lilac Frost (The world) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Costuming from the Hip (Spiral-bound)

I've been grabbing for any and all info in regards to the world of belly dancing. Though I do not sew (so far).. Going through this book was highly informative. It tells you how to pick the costume for your body type (something everyone should learn how to do!), as well as instructs on how to go about putting a costume together. I might donate this book to my sister, as she sews... maybe I can hire her to make a costume or two!
For anyone who does make their own costumes, or sews anything at all - I would definitely recommend this book.