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
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.
