Silver Bedlah Trial Run

I really love this picture by Mom. Although the missing right hand is a bit creepy. Go Greece!

So I squeezed out just enough work to make the silver bedlah wearable. It admittedly still looks like a regular bra with sequins tacked to it, (which it is). I plan on adding to it over time but it worked just fine for the bar/restaurant setting. My next costuming tasks include the alterations to my gold set and starting my metallic pink costume. I found some DD bras at Gordmans, 2 for $10, through a tip from Ananya. At $5 a pop I'll have no trouble cutting them up and making them into real costume bras.

More from March's Greek Night.

Another one for the "mouth-wide-open" archives, by Sa'dia's mom.

These little ladies danced with Sa'dia and helped pick up the money.

Watch out Sa'dia! That hand with money is like a shark lurking in water.

Next Greek Night - May 22, 2010

~N

now watching: Ah, My Goddess

mood: a week off

Betty in Silver

She's got Betty Davis eyes.

Here is the latest shot of my silver bra modeled by Betty. I grunted out, "Come on Betty," while trying to move my dress form. So Betty it is. Someday, I will mold Betty a duct tape form that looks more like my figure.

Side strap of bra.

The sides of the bra are 95% done as well. I haven't decided how I want to cover the shoulder straps. I have also dismantled the belt in order to add some darts for a better fit. The inside of the belt is lined with a weird interfacing that reminds me of the pre-made paper mache strips you can buy at the craft store. It left white crusty flakes everywhere went I cut into it.

Lining removed, sequins removed, dart cut into interfacing and top fabric.

Crunchy interfacing material with dart added.

The sequins taped down so they don't fall off before I can re-bead over the dart.

I left my camera in someone else's pants during Visioncon. I should be getting it back this weekend. I haven't been real proactive about it because we've been doing a major overhaul on the house. Imagine the apocalypse and then imagine 10yrs going by. That has been the state of my house. I won't begin to describe how messy and dirty it has become or I will gross you out. We also had a family friend pass away last week. But now I'm getting back to working on my costumes again and planning my next big dance project. Hazzah!

~N

Now watching: Trigun
mood: sharp cheddar and popcorn

Silver bedlah update

I'm actually a little further along with the bead work than in this pic. I've finished the cups and have begun beading the side straps. I've added 3 strands of gold fringe to each silver chunk on the belt to tie it together. I am seriously thinking about completely redoing the fan-shaped belt clasp. I originally made it to match the fan-shaped bra detail but since the incident of beading the right cup upsidedown it doesn't tie into the belt at all now. I'd like to make 2 new appliques, one for the belt clasp and one for the bra center.

~N
Now watching: Paranoia Agent
mood: cheesecake

Bedlah Update

The Angry Owl

I realize my blog has been a little lacking in the bellydance department lately so I figured I would post a pic of how my bedlah is coming. I finished beading the front closure but have not attached it yet. I just laid it on top of the belt for the pic. I've also made some slow progress on the bra. I haven't been working on beading much especially since it has gotten hot. My hands sometime start sweating profusely while beading and I'd like to wait until dancing in it before profuse-ing all over it.

For the time being, it looks like an angry owl with a lazy eye.

~N

Now listening: iamx
mood: pineapple whip

Silver with Gold Bedlah

After much study of my Neckelmann's bedlah and the discovery of a bra almost identical to the Neckelmann's, I decided to suck it up and bead my own version in silver with gold accents. I've been telling myself for a long time I need a silver set, especially with as much wear and tear as I have put on my gold set. Not to mention the convenient 50% bead sale at Hobby Lobby this past week. And really, beading isn't hard. It is just RIDICULOUSLY tedious. (The pic above is about 6+ hours of work)

I should also mention, I am not really interested in a "professional" grade beaded costume. I just need a good work horse if you know what I mean. So my lack of beading experience can be overlooked as long as my mistakes are well hidden by the sparkle of all those sequins.


For the belt, I have an old silver belt with a side closure and straight cut front that I never wear because it looks like poo on my short-waisted torso. It also has no matching bra. I've been sitting on it for about 4 years. So, why do I have a belt I never wear? Because I got it for $17 on ebay, that's why.

I was bolstered by Ozma's blog showing how she makes old crap into awesome and I have taken the plunge converting the belt from crappy-to-happy and making it into a V-front with a front medallion closure.


I seam ripped the bead work out where I want to cut the belt.


AHHH, I did it! I cut all the way through the middle of the belt.


I used masking tape on the raw edges to keep the current bead work in place while I man-handle the belt for fitting purposes.


Next, I lined up the edges of the old side closure flat and whip stitched them together.


The new side seam with some missing sequins yet to be replaced.


Then I cut a fan shape out of felt for a front closure medallion to pull the bra design down to the belt. I know you can't see it well in the picture above but the gold areas on the bra are fan shaped. BTW, those weird silver squares on the medallion are buttons I found on a shirt in my fabric box. FTW!

~N

Now watching: Hellsing
mood: fried chicken and/or grapes