Interview with Iana for the “Belly Dance Life Podcast”
I was thrilled to be invited to participate on the longest-running belly dance podcast, “Iana’s Belly Dance Life.” I’ve been subscribed for many years, and it was so exciting to get an invitation to participate in her programming.
The Podcast
Back in May, Iana reached out to me and invited me to come and chat about my career in dance and costuming. During the conversation, I laid it all out there chronologically. I was happy to share insights I’ve learned along the way.
Before the scheduled meeting time, I went over to Iana’s podcast page and listened to a dozen or so podcasts. I listened to one or two a day while walking and doing house chores for about a week.
Pre-listening to a podcaster, helped me to learn Iana’s cadence and timing so that we could have a great flow. While most podcasts are edited, I always try to be provide clean smooth content.
I particularly enjoyed listening to colleagues in the field of dance history and research:
Dr George Sawa – Digging Deep into the History of Egyptian Music.
Dr. Audrey Cottet – REsearching Finger Cymbal Playing in the Roman Empire
I enjoyed my conversation with Iana and highly recommend listening to her podcast on your favorite player. You never know who she will reach out and contact for her next interview.
It’s June 1 as I type this intro to what is my latest video on YouTube. I realized last week that my channel has started growing, and I wanted to introduce myself to folks who are new to my channel.
June is a month of drawing and illustration. I’m continuing the graphic design work on the update for “Costuming From the Hip.”
Throughout my books, I’ve used my illustrations to present different styles, shapes, and wardrobe pieces that are part of the greater belly dance wardrobe.
In the next expanded edition, I’m including full-length illustrations, ensemble flat-lays, and individual garments.
In addition to illustrations, I’m flipping through my entire archive of photographs. More than 25 years of pictures! I’m systematically exploring nearly 10 terabytes of digital files to find gems to use in the next book.
In addition to fashion illustrations and photographs, we’re including new diagrams. From pattern layouts to step-by-step specialty techniques.
This edition is shaping up to be the best work I’ve done throughout my entire career as a belly dance costume designer and author of DIY books.
Thank you for your patience as I slowly work through this massive project.
It’s May, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with the uber glamorous Basinah and her mum to craft a multi-piece assiut capsule wardrobe. Our mission is to use a couple of assiut shawls and a dress to build as many wardrobe pieces as possible using a mix-and-match format.
Basinah
Basinah, and her mum Jiniko, have been part of our team since we worked on The Cloth of Egypt c. 2014. For the next edition of Costuming from the Hip, we are working together to create a small collection of ensembles that showcase different design and construction techniques.
Basinah appeared in “Cloth of Egypt,” “Becoming a Belly Dancer,” on stage at the “Fall Festival,” and goofing off with Jiniko. All photos by Alisha Westerfeld. Click through to see more photos of Basinah on Instagram.
The first ensemble is made from three purple assiut shawls and a dress. We’re building a coordinating bra and belt set, a two-panel assiut skirt, and a dress. Jiniko is executing the sewing for this design collaboration. We’re transforming the traditional dance dress in several ways:
Redesign Neckline
Remove Sleeves
Embellish with Rhinestones
Transform Sleeves
The official “Before” photo of the assiut robe, and a few informal in-progress snapshots. The next edition of “Costuming from the Hip” includes content from my booklet series as well as photographs and and new illustrations. The current edition dates to the rewrite of 2010.
“Costuming from the Hip” update
I’m very happy that the text of the book is basically finished. During May, I’m editing the bibliography and other end matter content.
My goal is to create a bibliography that will serve as useful tool for future researchers. We’re sticking to published books, and organizing them into logical groups for locating publications thematically.
In addition, #CFTH30 includes a new research guide for using archives. I’m including my best tips, tricks and methodologies for finding information in newspapers, magazines, and journals.
A sample spread from the bibliography in “The Cloth of Egypt.” I’m expanding the “reading list” for Costuming from the Hip based on the positive feedback from my colleagues in belly dance history and costume design. Photos by Alisha Westerfeld.
Sewing Resumes here at Studio Davina
Some folks might have heard over on Patreon or in my Studio Davina group on Facebook, that I’ve been having some issues with my right thumb. Over the past two months, I’ve worked on some rehabilitation and I’m happy to announce that I’m once again able to pull a needle. Hurrah!
Time to head back into the studio to resume work on the appliques for the “Blue Mermaid.” Photos to follow in the next post!
Happy Dance and Costuming, Dawn Devine ~ Davina May, 2025
I’m frequently asked about my favorite tools in emails, at events, and during interviews. As a pro seamstress with 30 years of experience, my favorite tool is a box lid.
Michael’s carry a product called “Photo Memory Box” and they area cardboard available in plain colors, craft, patterned, and now even made of wood!
Why is this lid Magical?
How do I love thee, oh box lid, let me count the ways:
Just the Right Size: These box lids are long enough to hold my sewing shears, and wide enough to hold a large receptacle for pins and a container for hand tools.
Shallow Depth: Because it’s so shallow, nothing can really “fall to the bottom.” And while I might have to sort a bit to get the perfect thimble, my tools are visible.
Ease of Travel: Two plastic boxes fit perfectly within this tray. I just cover the pin box and the tool box and drop them in my kit and off I go.
Affordable: If I spill a coffee or tea, I can replace the box for less than the cost of going and getting another coffee. (Fortunately, my Michaels is close to a Duncan Donuts.)
Craft Containment: This lid holds my essentials. It prevents the seam ripper from rolling and snips from becoming buried under sewing projects. This box lid sitting beside my sewing machine becomes a great target for catching all the tools and implements required for machine sewing.
Personal Tradition: And it just feels darn good to carry on this habit, that is now tradition. It just makes me happy and secure knowing where I can find that thread snipper!
But what about the rest of the box?
I’m an avid journalling fan. so I use the “box bottom” to hold my notebooks, journals and planners. Although the bottom of this box lid is long gone, I use the the box bottoms for containing my A5 or smaller journals.
If I need to grab a journal for on the go, to become a new commonplace journal, or to work on a specific project, I just take one out of the box.
This notebook box serves as a limit to my blank journal hoarding. Right now, it’s pleasantly full. But if I wind up filling the entire container, I stop purchasing until I’ve used some of the notebooks up.Photo boxes are also recyclable. Since I’ve closed my custom costume side of business, I am use fewer and fewer plastic boxes in my life. As my current bins fatigue and crack, I’m recycling them. Then, moving forward, I’m choosing cardboard and textile options for my storage needs.
Happy Dance and Costuming, Dawn Devine ~ Davina April 2025
Hello Hello,
Today, I’m taking a break from working on the new manuscript for “Costuming from the Hip.” To share a method for sharing digital research using presentation software.
Today, I’m sharing a method for efficiently storing your reference materials. You can use this system locally on your computer or in cloud-based methods – many of which are free.
Whether you’re a student working on a research paper or a historian working on a full book, you might find this method is quick to master and easy to use.
Above: Using presentation software to save research information. The chapter “Midway Plaisance” is saved on this slide with the title page of the book “The Graphic History of the Fair” with the link saved in the presenter’s notes.”
Presentation Software for Historical Research Storage
There are many ways to save your research content. From building your own storage filing system on your computer, to using note-taking software in the cloud, there’s many approaches to choose from.
One method that I teach my students uses presentation software. Your computer might have an application included in its operating system. I’m a “Mac Girl” so I use Keynote on my computer. Many of my students use PowerPoint on their PC’s.
You can also find free, cloud-based software available such as Google Slides, and Canva. This is especially nice if you’re low on storage space.
Choose “view – lecture notes.” A box appears below the slide. In the note area, add titles, links, and notes to give context to the visuals of the slide.
Presentation Software: Google Slides
Most presentation software is easy to learn. YouTube creators have been making simple demos and tutorials to introduce you to the basics of using any software. If you don’t know where to begin, I always suggest Google Slides. There are many demos like this one:
Presentation Software: Canva
If you’ve already using Canva to make flyers, web, and social media graphics, you might want to choose this familiar place to explore making a history reference slide deck. There are two tiers to Canva, and the free version has ample tools to create your research notes slide deck. Here’s a demo if you want to try Canva:
Presentation Software In Action
Once you have your notes stored thematically into a slide-deck there are many things you can do with this information.
Plan a social media campaign: Use your “research slide deck” to create a series of posts to your favorite platform and make sure you nail the details. If anyone asks you “where did you get that info?” You are amply prepared to look up that information at a moment’s notice.
Develop Evergreen Web Content: The beauty of historical posts, short and long form video is that it never becomes dated. If you’re interested in sharing in this way, you can organize your research decks to quickly re-find your source material.
Cite Your Sources: If you’re interested in taking the role of a thought leader, the research slide deck allows you a place to store primary source materials. Easily create in-text citations, foot notes, or a reading list. In my work, I create a reading list on the final slide(s) of my research note slide deck.
For loads more ideas on how to build your research system, I published a three-part series last year. Watch video 3 of 3 to learn more. To catch videos 1 & 2 – visit my Patreon and access the back catalog of history talks.
Today, more than ever before there are places to locate primary source material so you can engage with history in a direct and fundamental way. No matter what your goals are, if you find yourself looking something up, be sure to save that data. It might be useful to you, or one of your friends, fans, and followers in dance.
And now off to draw! ~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina April, 2025.
Throughout my books, I’ve used my illustrations to present different styles, shapes, and wardrobe pieces that are part of the greater belly dance wardrobe.
