Turn a T-shirt into a Dance Practice Outfit

Whether you are on a budget or interested in some new fun dance duds, this project is appealing and produces quick, satisfying results. It takes up to an hour to do (depending on how fancy you choose to get), and you don't need many materials to get it done. Not only is it wonderful to make something, but there are great benefits to having a practice outfit. Having a set of clothing ready to wear and specially for you will help get you feel ready and in the right space to be focused on dance. Just grab your outfit, put on some music, and dance.

The matching two piece look is a standard in bellydance bedlah costuming. It helps to accentuate two main areas of the body that are often isolated during dancing: the chest/ribcage, and the hips. Visually blocking out these areas will help you to see your movements better. Even if you don't want a bare midriff, you can still wear this pair over a more covering shirt to get that visual effect.  The cropped tops are sometimes called cholis, bra covers. The hip wraps can be called sometimes called a hip scarf, hip belt, or hip accent. Whatever you call them, they are comfortable and a great addition to your dance experience.
CROP TOP:

      1) Pick a t-shirt. It should be comfortable and something you feel attractive in. An interesting design, pattern, or logo is a nice choice, and you also can't go wrong with classic solid colors. Alternately, take a t-shirt that you like but doesn't fit all that well, and turn it into something that does work well for you.
      2) Put on the shirt and look in the mirror. Decide where you want the shirt length to be and mark that spot.
      3) Cut it two to three inches longer than that spot. There are two reasons to do this. Just by having less fabric on the bottom the newly cropped shirt will seem to pop up a bit more, and you don't want it to end up being too short. You will need the extra inch at the bottom to fold up into a hem/casing.
      4) Sew a casing along that newly cut bottom edge leaving a 1/2" open space/hole somewhere along it. I like to put it somewhere near a side seam so I can find it easily later without searching along the whole length for it.
      5) Cut a length of 1/4" wide elastic that is the length around your ribcage where the shirt's bottom will rest. Thread the elastic through the casing being careful not to lose the end as you pull it through. I like to use a loop threader or bodkin, although many people prefer the tried and true method of a safety pin. Tie the ends of the elastic together.
      6) Try on your creation and marvel at how neat-o it is.


HIP WRAP:

      1) Take the piece you cut off the bottom of your shirt. It's already nicely hemmed/finished along one edge, and already sewn together up the sides; most of the work is already done.
      2) Put that tube-like bit down around your hips and see how it fits. Look at it from several sides and angles and move around a little bit to see if it stays where it's supposed to. It shouldn't gap, sag, fall off, or bunch up. It should wear like a snug and well fitted tshirt -- not too tight, and not too loose.
      3a) If it looks good, then simply roll the unfinished edge over, sew it down, and finish it off.
      3b) If it's too large, start by sewing the seams smaller/tighter just a little bit at a time and retry it to see if it's better. For the curvier beauties among us, you might also need to put in a dart or two to make it lie properly. Roll the unfinished edge over, sew it down, and finish it off.
      3c) If it's too small, you can piece some matching or coordinating fabric into the sides to give it enough length to go around your hips comfortably. You can also choose to split it in the center and attach matching ties on the front or side/s. Roll the unfinished edge over, sew it down, and finish it off.


Additional options/ideas:

      If you have a bit of extra fabric left over, turn it into a matching headband or wrist bracelets/gauntlets.
      Make the raw top edge of the hip wrap feel more solid with bias tape.
      Don't have a matching fabric to make fabric ties for the hip wrap? Use a piece of wide matching ribbon.
      Add some fringe or dangly bits to the hip wrap for visual movement. Decorate it with beads, paint, trim, or whatever strikes your fancy.

On a budget, for the creative joy of it, or to upcycle and make something new again, this is a really fun and fast project for beginning to advanced sewing skills. You will have made yourself a matching top and hip wrap combination that is not only stylish, but comfortable as well. Now go be the beautiful creature you are! and look great practicing on your own, and you'll dazzle your classmates and troupe members with your sewing talent and creativity. Enjoy, and have fun with the possibilities!