PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

For a beginner of any age, a midriff top in a stretchy form-fitting style as I've illustrated, or a loose peasant blouse style is perfectly charming, teamed with a skirt and/or pantaloons.

The close-ups below show how to make a simple midriff top more Arabic-looking with a few simple adjustments and choice of edge ornaments. If even this seems too bare, you can decorate a leotard or dress in the same fashion.

If altering the sleeve as I've shown is beyond your sewing ability, choose a top without sleeves.

Use any long skirt you like. I've shown a handkerchief skirt, which is one of the easiest to make: just a square, the full width of fabric, with a circular hole in the middle slightly larger than your hips. Use two squares for a layered skirt. Sew a casing with elastic to this edge.

Wear a purchased coin belt, or make one with a strip of decorative trim and ornaments. To get the angled look in center front, sew a seam right sides together at a 45-degree angle. If the trim is not stretchy, don't forget to make a opening at side or back.

A midriff blouse like this provides a more covered look for a beginning dancer who would rather not wear a beaded bra to perform.

Click on the drawing to the right to see it in more detail.

• Should Young Girls Belly Dance? Both sides of the debate over this hot topic.
• Ask The Costume Goddess: Large Tummy
• Ask The Costume Goddess: A Baladi Dress. Describes this basic garment of a belly dancer's wardrobe.
• Ask The Costume Goddess: An Apple-Shaped Figure. Costume tips for a large midriff and how to cover it.

• Dear Shira: What About My Scars? What to do about scars when making costume decisions.
• Belly Dance Costume Patterns. Identifies sources of belly dance costume patterns.

Dina has been sewing for more than twenty-five years (yes, she started as a toddler!)

She's also an artist (Maryland Institute of Art) and perfected her sewing techniques apprenticed to various designers, freelancing for small theaters, restyling vintage garments, and altering wedding gowns.

Dina fell in love with belly dancing costumes upon her very first lesson. Now the pleasure of wearing her own designs, and seeing others wear them, offers as much pleasure as dancing. She's become expert as well in altering those troublesome ready-made Egyptian costumes, and modifying designs to flatter individual figures.

She holds workshops in Seattle to teach design and construction of cabaret costumes, and analysis of figure characteristics. She will also give private lessons, or resize or repair a secondhand costume. She's thus earned her Costume Goddess title.

The Costume Goddess Tells All Costuming Books

Dina has published six books of her own on belly dance costuming as well as writing nearly all the costuming section for The Belly Dance Book. For information on her series of books, The Costume Goddess Tells All, see her web site at www.costumegoddess.com. For reviews here on Shira.net of some of her books, see:

• Volume 1: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Advice on designing a belly dance costume that will look flattering for your figure type.
• Volume 2: Easy Costume for Bellydancers. Explains how to create easy-to-make costume items if you have very little sewing experience.
• Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Detailed instructions for making your own bra/belt set. Emphasis on the beaded/sequined look, but some coin information too.
• Volume 4: Arm Costume for Bellydancers. Creative ideas for sleeves, armbands, gauntlets, and drapes.
• Volume 5: Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers. Cholis, vests, and other tops suitable for U.S. Tribal costuming.
• Volume 6: Thrifty Chic for Bellydancers. Transforming thrift shop bargains into belly dance costume pieces.
• Volume 7: Headpieces for Bellydancers. Many simple, inexpensive ideas for costuming from the neck up.