Book Recommendations
Here you will find a few belly dance related books in case you would like to read more on the history or want some extra help with costuming.
Costuming
Beading on Fabric: Encyclopedia of Bead Stitch Techniques by Larkin Jean Van Horn - this book explains the basic beading stitches and includes many helpful diagrams. Plus it is spiral bound, which means it lays flat while you are trying the stitches out for yourself.
Bead Embroidery by Yukiko Ogura - this book has instructions for more detailed beading patterns such as leaves, flowers, etc.
Dawn Devine Costuming Books cover everything from pants and skirts to bedlah construction. She has a variety of books available which are usually very well illustrated.
Costume Goddess books are another great group of belly dance costuming books. Her instructions of covering the bra are the ones I follow and seem to be simpler than the ones by Dawn Devine.
History
Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World is a wonderful book on the history of belly dance and includes many beautiful illistrations.
Costuming
Beading on Fabric: Encyclopedia of Bead Stitch Techniques by Larkin Jean Van Horn - this book explains the basic beading stitches and includes many helpful diagrams. Plus it is spiral bound, which means it lays flat while you are trying the stitches out for yourself.
Bead Embroidery by Yukiko Ogura - this book has instructions for more detailed beading patterns such as leaves, flowers, etc.
Dawn Devine Costuming Books cover everything from pants and skirts to bedlah construction. She has a variety of books available which are usually very well illustrated.
Costume Goddess books are another great group of belly dance costuming books. Her instructions of covering the bra are the ones I follow and seem to be simpler than the ones by Dawn Devine.
History
Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World is a wonderful book on the history of belly dance and includes many beautiful illistrations.