Ansuya's multi-layered skirts - Page 3

Farasha Hanem · 10-25-2007, 05:01 AM

Ack! I forgot to ask my teacher about that pattern book last night; I got distracted by an upcoming announcement, and didn't remember about it until later that evening. However, I called her today and left a message. Hopefully she'll get back with me. I did try going on Hancock's website, but no luck. Even a trip to our local Hancock's yielded nothing; the lady who helped me had never heard of it. I'll keep trying, though.

Reen.Blom · 10-28-2007, 11:01 AM

I really love those skirts- very unusual....

kalila_raks · 10-30-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amulya

I had a skirt like this. But I closed all the gaps. The fabric was some kind of lycra, so it wasn't so nice as the chiffon ones.
Khalila, I don't understand how this pattern becomes a multilayered one, or do you mean you make more of these skirts over each other?

If you don't close the gaps, the panels overlap creating a multilayered effect.

Amulya · 10-30-2007, 02:49 AM

Thanks! I have been trying very hard to imagine why it would give that look LOL

PriscillaAdum · 11-01-2007, 04:35 PM

Oooooh I love this idea!....(skips happily away to locate those left over squares of silk from the last batch of veils).....

Regards
Priscilla

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalila_raks

Here is the easiest technique for creating a full, multilayered skirt that I've found so far. I can finish one of these in an hour.

Start with a piece of fabric that is two times as long as it is wide

Cut it in half so that you have two squares

Cut each square into quarters, so that you have a total of 8 squares

Cut one corner off each square. (I usually cut so that there is about a 6 in flat edge in one corner)

Do a narrow hem around the edges of your squares.

Make a casing on each of the cut off corners.

Thread elastic through each of the casings and sew the elastic into a circle.

What you will have is a very full multilayered overskirt. You will most likely want to wear another skirt or harem pants underneath because the squares are not sewn together, so they will fly open when you dance, but it creates a nice effect.

Reen.Blom · 11-01-2007, 06:09 PM

It could look stunning over a metallic coloured skirt a well.... *dreaming*

nitewindz · 11-06-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darbla

I love the multi-layered looking skirts that Ansuya wears, rather than the straighter or less frilly ones that a lot of other dancers use. They might be gaudy and overkill to some, but I love their femine frilliness.

Do any of you have any sewing tips for creating something like that? Most of the costuming sites I've visited only have instructions for very simple circle skirts. Thanks!

I love these skirts too, and have a couple of sets myself. The come with a matching veil (or sometimes a top). I first saw them back in the mid 80s. Audrena, Dahlal, Scherezade, etc. all carry them, or used to. Horus & Isis has them for about half the price of the others, but they are a wholesaler and require a minimum $$ purchase - a good excuse to buy a set in every color!

Artemis Imports carries an Atira pattern for a square skirt, just make 3 in different lengths. Or look through the commercial pattern books at Jo Anns or Hanncock for a skirt (any length) with the shape of hem you want.

The fancy hems - jig jags and scallops - are too time consuming for my taste, but if you want to try, here's how.Get some cheap cheap fabric (old sheets) and cut out several short half circles, the size of your upper tiers, for test panels. If you have a commercial pattern for a skirt with a shaped hem, just lay that pattern on top of the test panel, lowest point of the pattern touching the hem of the test panel, trace, and cut.

To make your own pattern : For a jaggedy hem, cut triangular wedges out of the hem, try different widths and depths. For a scallop hem, cut circle patterns (at least 2 of each size). Pin them along the hem of the test skirt, so that the bottom of the circles rest on the hem, and the edges of the circles touch. With a fabric marker, start at one side of one circle, trace around the bottom up and back up the other side where it touches the other circle, then down around the second circle and back up the side. Now move the circles over and continue until the whole hem is scalloped. Then cut along the drawn lines and hem. Again you might want to experiment with size and with shape, using ovals or diamonds instead of circles.

When the test tier looks right, use it as the pattern. Make a 3 layer 1.5 circle skirt, each layer a different length (above the knee, between knee & midcalf, ankle length). Then lay the test tier on the skirt, match the lowest point of the test tier hem to the circle skirt hem. Trace it. Go all the way around the skirt. Then cut along the trace lines and hem.

Keep in mind that 3 skirts takes almost 3 times and long to make and needs nearly 3 times as much fabric and trim, and a scalloped or jaggedy hem will need even more trim.

adiemus · 11-06-2007, 06:10 PM

... the voice of experience huh nitewindz!!!
I've hereby decided that I am not going to put trim on scallop-edged skirts.

Farasha Hanem · 11-07-2007, 02:51 AM

kalila_raks, thank you very much for the petal skirt pattern.

I finally remembered to ask my teacher tonight about that BDSS pattern book, and as it turns out, it doesn't include the pattern for Ansuya's skirt. However, it is available at Hancock's for about five dollars (not sure if Hancock's is an international chain, though). I couldn't find the pattern book at Hancock's website a few weeks ago, but maybe someone else here is better at looking up info than I am. Here is the link:

Hancock Fabrics Online Fabric Store

Amulya · 11-12-2007, 01:05 AM

if you know what the pattern is called, it's easier to look it up.

10-28-2007, 11:01 AM	#22 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Between Heaven and Earth Posts: 2,263	I really love those skirts- very unusual.... __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

10-30-2007, 02:49 AM	#24 (permalink)
Amulya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 922	Thanks! I have been trying very hard to imagine why it would give that look LOL __________________ Blog: What Were They Thinking?

11-01-2007, 06:09 PM	#26 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Between Heaven and Earth Posts: 2,263	It could look stunning over a metallic coloured skirt a well.... dreaming __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

11-06-2007, 06:10 PM	#28 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	... the voice of experience huh nitewindz!!! I've hereby decided that I am not going to put trim on scallop-edged skirts. __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

11-07-2007, 02:51 AM	#29 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 615	Thank you very much kalila_raks, thank you very much for the petal skirt pattern. I finally remembered to ask my teacher tonight about that BDSS pattern book, and as it turns out, it doesn't include the pattern for Ansuya's skirt. However, it is available at Hancock's for about five dollars (not sure if Hancock's is an international chain, though). I couldn't find the pattern book at Hancock's website a few weeks ago, but maybe someone else here is better at looking up info than I am. Here is the link: Hancock Fabrics Online Fabric Store

10-25-2007, 05:01 AM	#21 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 615	Ack! I forgot to ask my teacher about that pattern book last night; I got distracted by an upcoming announcement, and didn't remember about it until later that evening. However, I called her today and left a message. Hopefully she'll get back with me. I did try going on Hancock's website, but no luck. Even a trip to our local Hancock's yielded nothing; the lady who helped me had never heard of it. I'll keep trying, though.

11-12-2007, 01:05 AM	#30 (permalink)
Amulya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 922	if you know what the pattern is called, it's easier to look it up. __________________ Blog: What Were They Thinking?