Tribal Style belly dance Bits N Pieces

Tribal skirts: typically, but not necessarily, a Black tiered skirt, also known as a "10 Yard Skirt", with colorful trim on the bottom edge, or a full circle, or circle and a half skirt. (Both patterns with instructions available in DOC or HTML format)

Choli: Tribal Dance top. This can be any color, or colors you choose, and there are multiple patterns available. We (Meegan and Anysia) experimented with a Kwik Sew pattern for a dancers top using both stretch velour and panne (penne) velvet. With some slight alterations we came up with this step by step choli pattern. One of the other students had tried to make a FCBD one, saw ours as we were all getting ready for class, and asked to borrow our choli pattern from us and copied it. Then others students had us make one for them. They still use this pattern for their cholis. Or you can use the Fat Chance Belly Dance choli pattern, which is measured for an individuals' precise dimensions. If you are lucky, you can find an authentic vintage choli from India.We also offer a Nonstretch fabric pattern and instructions. We used plush leopard fabric, and it worked a treat!

Pantaloons: Also known as 'harem pants'. These are two meters (yards) per pant leg wide, to give them a nice blousy feeling. Any lightweight, breathable fabric can be used. I typically use cotton ribbing on the waist bands for comfort.

Coin Bra: Find a bra with very sturdy cups your size. Don't worry if it's the right size around, as the straps will be removed for tie on straps for the more secure halter style fit. You can and should line the inside of the cups with buckram or thick felt to reinforce the fabric, as the coins will add significant weight. Coins can be of local mint, or vintage pieces available from Tribal to the Max, or you can even use religious medals.

Tassel Belts and hip shawl: These can be as elaborate or as simple as suits you. There is no 'chiseled in stone' rules for either of these items. Toran door hangings make excellent belt bases, and with a piece of elastic sewn on the upper inside edge, and cotton ties, and tassels, it is probably the quickest way. You can get webmesh belts and add tassels, bells, beads and other personal items to decorate. Obi fabric (leftover kimono belt fabric) makes for an excellent belt base for the more experience sewer. The fabric is strong and sturdy, easy to work, and and comes in an amazing array of colors. Hip shawls: A triangular piece of panne (penne) velvet, about 1 meter from corner to corner on the longest edge, with cotton tape to reinforce the edge,and bias binding tape on the lower edges to prevent droop, makes for the perfect hipshawl. You can then add strands of whatever color yarn, embroidery thread, or other 'stringy' substance.

How to make/build a turban (300k animated gif) Some tribal dancers use several scarves to make a turban, to be decorated with many pieces of jewelry, (kuchi, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India) and some will fix their hair, ie braids, bun, and then decorate with headpieces, or other beaded or jeweled decorations. Here is an animated gif that will show you, step by step, how to tie on a basic turban. If you want more height, just add more scarves.