Author: Davina

Belly Dance Mini-Magazine:
Taking the Newsletter in New Directions

This summer, we’ve decided to spend some quality time working on the Belly Dance Mini-Magazine. In the spring, I polled the Studio Davina Facebook group.  Almost unanimously, the group voted for “Themed Issues,” but there was also a large number of folks who voted for “Regular Departments.”

For me, this felt like a mandate from the community for more quality content organized in an efficient and better way.  This is the result.

“Focus on …”

We’ve chosen to create a collection of mini-articles and links to related content and call it “Focus on…”   The first in this series is about legendary Mata Hari, notorious spy, courtesan, and dancer.  Her career spanned the decade between 1905 – 1914, pausing at the start of WWI.

“Focus On…”
Curated Video, Articles, Publications

For this first “Focus On…” piece, I intentionally chose to share a variety of different information types for different newsletter readers.  Included in this section are links to primary source materials, biographical videos, informative and well researched articles, historic and modern book recommendations.

Upcoming “Focus On…” subjects include particular dates, styles, props, and, like Mata Hari, focus on specific dancers. My main mission is to share quality information. This new segment allows me to share from the wide variety of images and links from my historical research.

Subscribe to the bi-monthly, “Belly Dance Mini-Magazine” and recieve a link to download a printable coloring book, “Belly Dance Costumes to Color.”

Regular Monthly Topics

In addition to the monthly special feature, I’m honing in on a series of regular monthly topics. Much like a fashion magazine that includes columns on beauty, fashion, and travel, my goal is to create a regular list based on subscribers’ tastes.

During the second month of the year, I’m experimenting and brainstorming with my Facebook Group to dial in a good set of 8-10 topics to share each month. It’s going to be a fun project that will make the newsletter more entertaining and informative.

If you haven’t signed up for the “Belly Dance Mini-Magazine” yet, use the link below.  Keep scrolling and click through the image below to read the entire July 2025 newsletter.

Thanks for joining me for this adventure in belly dance costume and history!

~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina
July 2025

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.

~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina
June 1, 2025

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.

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

“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.

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