In
Praise of the Lowly Rectangle Hip Sash
As Written by "Jenee - Designs by Janie"
A
while back I was reading a post by a dancer who was reviewing a local workshop,
her words struck a tone in my brain. She said, “All the venders were
selling the same cheesy hip sashes.” Her words shocked me, does this person
not know the wonderfulness of the basic hip sash. Sure everyone (or it
seems so) has a hip sash for class, because it helps you see and hear your
movements. There are also times when it seems that every vender sells hip
sashes. I have sold them in the past and still have a few in inventory.
Some hip sashes being sold are cheesy and poorly made, but most are a
good quality. It is always true, "you get what you pay
for". Ex: you pay $5 bucks on eBay,
you get a $5 hip sash. Could she possibly mean that you don't need to own
more than one? Shocking!!
How
many hip sashes does a Belly Dancer need? One more than she has.
How
could anyone own just one? A hip sash is the perfect beginner costume belt.
It is always the right fit, while your body is adjusting in size to all
this new exercise. It works great, just as it is, for Folkloric costumes,
as well as on Beledi dresses. The hips sash is perfect for that first
performance too. But don’t stop there …. Oh no!
1)
Make a quick Tribal style tassel belt by sewing tassels to the bottom side
of the sash.
2)
You can make it look even more like a Coin Tassel Belt by sewing tucks in
the sash in between the rows of coins, so the coins look continuous. The appearance is solid coins.
3)
Two matching hip sashes can easily become a quick costume. Wrap and
tie the first sash around your hips as you normally would. Wrap the second
one around your bust area for a top. Wrap from back to front, cross over
at center front and tie at the back of your neck. Arrange the rows of
coins decoratively. Can be wrapped over a strapless bra or not as you
choose. A pin worn at the crossover will give more security.
4)
Three matching hip sashes can become another quick costume with just a little
sewing. Once again one hip sash will be tied around the hips as you normally
do. Sew the other two hip sashes together leaving a hole for the neck on
one side and a larger hole on the other for the body. Leave the ends
open. You have a top. Put it on over a pretty bra if the hip sash
fabric is sheer.
5)
You can even cover a bra and belt form with two matching rectangle hip sashes
to make a more classic Coin Bedlah. Once again use the “tucking method”
described above for the belt. Sew tucks between the coin rows so the
coins lay more solid. Baste the tucks in the second sash and cover the
bra. The use of basting stitches allows you to arrange the rows decoratively.
Basting stitches also allow you to take out the stitches where needed, to
cover larger cupped bras. The rest of the sash can be tied over the back
bra fastening if you wish. You can also cut the rest of the sash to cover
the straps and sides and sew them into place, just as you would cover any
costume bra.
You
see there really is no limit to what you can do with the basic rectangle hip
sash. You need lots of them in your belly dance closet you just never
know when and where you might want to use them. Also if you teach, having
a few extras in your dance bag will help your students feel more like Belly Dancers.
Same old hip sashes INDEED.
Janie
is the Author of "Costuming on a Budget" and "Building a Belly
Dance Wardrobe
Part 1" (which was reviewed here on iShimmy). She is teaching workshops:
"Boobology 101" (costume bra) at the last Wiggles of the West Belly
Dance Competition in Vegas in July and "Costuming on a Budget" at Yaa
Halla, Y'all in Dallas in August.
