Egyptian bras - how they make them???

janaki · 06-28-2007, 02:32 AM

I have few egyptian costume sets. The bras are constructed so differently. They give such an amazing lift ( you know what I mean). They are very hard. I am just wondering what is inside the bra??? Where can I buy them (not decorated ones). I make and sell costumes, I use normal padded push up bras and they don't look and feel the same. Are there any suppliers that sell the bras or bra cups?? Any ideas and suggestions guys???

Hugs
Janaki

Azeeza · 06-28-2007, 07:08 AM

Hi Janaki:

I have pictures of two sets (out of three) of cups that I took apart that were Egyptian made.

All three were quite different. One set was from a pink quilted underwire bra and another was white and also underwired, but not quilted. And the last one I took apart had something in it that resembled an American football, but white with little bumps on it. I think it was made from rubber.

Let me see if I still have the pictures. If I do, I'll post them here. I do have them, but they are the white and pink ones, but not the bumpy football ones. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the insides of them. I don't have these any more.

Azeeza

janaki · 06-28-2007, 07:56 AM

Hi Azeeza, Tks for the pics. I do find the shape of these cups are different from normal bras we buy in the shops. Don't you think??? Any info on wehre to buy will ve greatful thanks.

Amulya · 06-28-2007, 08:59 AM

Hi Janaki, I had exactly the same question a few years back. I also used to make them with padded bras until I made a tribal bra and ended up with a huge problem: the coins flattening the bra!
People suggested me to line the cups with buckram and fabric stiffener. I tried this and it works perfectly. You might be able to do just with buckram, but you can always put in the fabric stiffener as well. Make sure you put some soft lining in the cups, because these materials won't make them comfortable!

janaki · 06-28-2007, 11:01 AM

Hey Amulya,

Tks for the grear advise. I shall try that tomorrow. With the normal bra, once I cover them and add beading, they kinda leave the cups flat!!!!

Hugs
Janaki

Azeeza · 06-28-2007, 02:24 PM

Janaki:

I have no idea where to buy the cups from in Egypt, but they sure looked like they came from old bras. The pink one looks like it came from the 1950's and the white one looked like it came from the 1980's.

When I take another bra apart, I'll post here to see if you would like to have the cups. They are pretty stiff, but I don't recall there being much on the inside of the bra to keep them from getting mushy. The football ones were pretty stiff, but they didn't come from a bra like the other two did.

Since I replaced the cups with larger ones, the cups I've purchased haven't been super stiff either. I've used a stiff pelon material, cut in the shape of a curve to cover the top and the bottom and stitched that inside the bra for support.

Let me see if I have a picture of it. If I do, I'll post it here. Yes, I found one. I hope it helps.

Azeeza

janaki · 06-28-2007, 02:33 PM

It is already agreat help you guy!!! Thanks so much. I'll try it out tomorrow and keep you posted.

Hugs to you both.

Shanazel · 06-29-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azeeza

One set was from a pink quilted underwire bra and another was white and also underwired, but not quilted.
Azeeza

I have quilted the base of hip bands before for strength, but never though of doing it for bras. I like the way hip bands look with a softer base- they mold to my body without looking stiff or like they could stand on their own, yet they can still carry the weight of heavy beading. I dislike the way some bras stand away from the breasts, making it look like the dancer's poor boobs are captured in an unyielding cave in which they bounce off walls. Makes me think of Brunhilde's metal breast plate. Of course, then we have Dina who has a cut away version of Brunhilde's garment... That is high on my list of the most uncomfortable-looking costumes ever invented.

belly_dancer · 06-29-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amulya

Hi Janaki, I had exactly the same question a few years back. I also used to make them with padded bras until I made a tribal bra and ended up with a huge problem: the coins flattening the bra!
People suggested me to line the cups with buckram and fabric stiffener. I tried this and it works perfectly. You might be able to do just with buckram, but you can always put in the fabric stiffener as well. Make sure you put some soft lining in the cups, because these materials won't make them comfortable!

ASS-U-ME-ing the fabric stiffener is WATER proof??? (or maybe you do not sweat as much as I do

)
but remember ladies..... (& gents) sweat is our enemy.... (for bras much more so than belts..... where the under skirts take the brunt of it!!!)...
so when making costuming, make sure it won't 'MELT'.... from stage lights.... or the heat with-in!!!!!

Shanazel · 07-02-2007, 02:11 AM

Oh, my dear- do you actually sweat in your costumes????

Sometimes I think dance costumes are designed by the same person who designs those swimsuits you can't swim in because they become transparent or sag out of shape.

06-28-2007, 02:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	Egyptian bras - how they make them??? I have few egyptian costume sets. The bras are constructed so differently. They give such an amazing lift ( you know what I mean). They are very hard. I am just wondering what is inside the bra??? Where can I buy them (not decorated ones). I make and sell costumes, I use normal padded push up bras and they don't look and feel the same. Are there any suppliers that sell the bras or bra cups?? Any ideas and suggestions guys??? Hugs Janaki

06-28-2007, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Azeeza Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 831	Hi Janaki: I have pictures of two sets (out of three) of cups that I took apart that were Egyptian made. All three were quite different. One set was from a pink quilted underwire bra and another was white and also underwired, but not quilted. And the last one I took apart had something in it that resembled an American football, but white with little bumps on it. I think it was made from rubber. Let me see if I still have the pictures. If I do, I'll post them here. I do have them, but they are the white and pink ones, but not the bumpy football ones. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the insides of them. I don't have these any more. Azeeza Attached Thumbnails

06-28-2007, 08:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Amulya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 922	Hi Janaki, I had exactly the same question a few years back. I also used to make them with padded bras until I made a tribal bra and ended up with a huge problem: the coins flattening the bra! People suggested me to line the cups with buckram and fabric stiffener. I tried this and it works perfectly. You might be able to do just with buckram, but you can always put in the fabric stiffener as well. Make sure you put some soft lining in the cups, because these materials won't make them comfortable! __________________ Blog: What Were They Thinking?

06-28-2007, 02:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Azeeza Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 831	Janaki: I have no idea where to buy the cups from in Egypt, but they sure looked like they came from old bras. The pink one looks like it came from the 1950's and the white one looked like it came from the 1980's. When I take another bra apart, I'll post here to see if you would like to have the cups. They are pretty stiff, but I don't recall there being much on the inside of the bra to keep them from getting mushy. The football ones were pretty stiff, but they didn't come from a bra like the other two did. Since I replaced the cups with larger ones, the cups I've purchased haven't been super stiff either. I've used a stiff pelon material, cut in the shape of a curve to cover the top and the bottom and stitched that inside the bra for support. Let me see if I have a picture of it. If I do, I'll post it here. Yes, I found one. I hope it helps. Azeeza Attached Thumbnails

06-28-2007, 07:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	Hi Azeeza, Tks for the pics. I do find the shape of these cups are different from normal bras we buy in the shops. Don't you think??? Any info on wehre to buy will ve greatful thanks.

06-28-2007, 11:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	Hey Amulya, Tks for the grear advise. I shall try that tomorrow. With the normal bra, once I cover them and add beading, they kinda leave the cups flat!!!! Hugs Janaki

06-28-2007, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	It is already agreat help you guy!!! Thanks so much. I'll try it out tomorrow and keep you posted. Hugs to you both.

07-02-2007, 02:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,654	Oh, my dear- do you actually sweat in your costumes???? Sometimes I think dance costumes are designed by the same person who designs those swimsuits you can't swim in because they become transparent or sag out of shape.