I created this costume for a belly dance event I was to be dancing at. It is one of several costumes I have put together to wear over the years.

I started with a paper pattern for the Turkish vest which I have used for several of the other costumes as well. I like to repurpose fabric so the fabric for this one came from a lightweight business jacket that no longer fit me.

The vest is embellished with silver coins which come already on a fabric tape so you can stitch them onto the garment. I also added small silver chains draped for interest. The front closure is a corded ‘Chinese’ style knot and closure (not sure of the actual term). The piece beneath the Turkish vest is a sport bra with coins stitched along the neckline to match the vest.

The top skirt is one of those gauzy skirts modified. I cut the front elastic and added hook & eyes for closure, then I made cuts to partition the skirt into quarters which I tied at center of each length with black yarn to create openings through which to see the underskirt.

The under skirt (black) is just a plain circle skirt (no pattern required, just a quick cut & stitch).

For final touches to the bottom half, I added an interesting leather belt and some red yarn braided tassels which flair out with the overskirt when I spin around.

My friend Nadeau made me the flower hairpieces I am wearing in the picture. They interchange with several of my other costumes as well.