Junk Love With a Little Raqs Sharqi

...which is commonly known as, belly dancing!

This is what I do to release and it's good exercise for you!  I've grown up with the dance, as my mom and aunt belly danced back in the day.  The costumes are beautiful and you know I have to make my own.

I purchased this asian-inspired dress at my local thrift store.  Funny, my mom (who was visiting at the time) and another customer was admiring the dress and then asked what I was going to do with it?  I told them I was cutting it up to make a costume.  They both looked at me in disbelief, then mom said, "I'm glad I'm leaving so that I will not see when you cut this dress."

I believe the black stretch velvet piece and the flowers were added to the initial dress.  So, this might have been used for a costume previously.  Anyhow, I found a tutorial on Flickr by MishaKitty on covering a bra and she has other tutorials based on belly dance gear.

I cut the dress in half and used the two bottom pieces to make a 2-panel skirt with side ties, which I will wear over a yoga pant, a full tiered skirt, or the balloon-like pants (can't think of the name, right now).

I've cut the pieces to cover the bra and am starting to hand-stitch the fabric and will later adorn with thrift store costume jewelry and medallions!  I love the color purple and this was perfect for me!

These cute decorative fabric pieces were on the dress as closures at the top.  I'll find use for them in either this project or another.

Well, I sent pics to mom and she loved it!  I'll be sure to show the finished ensemble when I'm done!

Oh, and by the way my stage/dance name is Layan, which was given to me by my dear friend Malak!  Layan means good and wealthy life!

Thanks for visiting!  Peace and Junk Love!