{"id":10470,"date":"2024-12-04T11:39:05","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T19:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/?p=10470"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:39:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T19:39:05","slug":"belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2024\/12\/belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid\/","title":{"rendered":"Belly Dance Costume &#8220;Blue Mermaid&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shalimar&#039;s &quot;Blue Mermaid&quot; Belly Dance Costume\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rbj3kATvOEs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4>Belly Dance Mermaid Costume Redux<\/h4>\n<p>2024 was the year I closed my sewing business.\u00a0 As my hands have aged, I&#8217;ve had to acknowledge my capacity to hold and pull a needle is greatly reduced. I&#8217;ve become unreliable and as such, have stepped back from big projects.<\/p>\n<p>When my good friend Shalimar arrived for the Fabulous Fall Festival, she brought a costume she purchased from a friend.\u00a0 She loves the color, the flow of the skirt, and the belly dance mermaid vibe.<\/p>\n<p>However, the bra was a bit too small for comfortable support and coverage. In the two days leading up to the show, I made the necessary fitting adjustments and repairs and the costume made it onto stage.<\/p>\n<h4>Shalimar&#8217;s Belly Dance Wardrobe<\/h4>\n<p>Shalimar have collaborated on building a strong and versatile working wardrobe for her professional belly dance business in South Carolina. For a decade, she lived and worked near Silicon Valley, and long-time readers will recognize her from many past projects.<\/p>\n<p>If this color looks familiar, I made a costume which we call <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2020\/05\/back-to-making-costumes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Blue Stripes.&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0 You can read this article here.\u00a0 Fortunately, when we made that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2020\/06\/skirt-transformation-from-straight-to-spin-worthy\/\">blue skirt<\/a>, we saved all the fabric scraps and now I&#8217;m using them in this new ensemble.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m also shopping my stash for rhinestone and chain.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve got some bits and pieces left after making her the pink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2017\/11\/belly-dance-sleeves\/\">&#8220;Line and Dot&#8221;<\/a> style ensemble with matching sleeves.\u00a0 Remember Shalimar&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2019\/08\/shalimar-performs-pink-floral\/\">&#8220;Pink Floral&#8221;<\/a> costume?<\/p>\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"10471\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2024\/12\/belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid\/shalimar-bluemermaid-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=720%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,540\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1732717961&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.96&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=580%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10471\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?resize=580%2C435&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro-Quality Bra &#8211; House-Made Belt<\/h4>\n<p>But the most striking problem was the mix between the old bra and the new belt. The pairing was a bit of a strange marriage. With a major design disconnect between the the bedlah pieces.<\/p>\n<p>The color was reasonably harmonious. However there was very little embellishment added. From stage, the belt looked a bit home-made compared to the heavily rhinestoned and pearled professional quality bra.\u00a0 As you can see from the video clip, and photo the belt looked quite pale and plain.<\/p>\n<p>Over the next three months, I&#8217;m going to bring the bra and belt of this &#8220;Blue Mermaid&#8221; to a more balanced level of design and embellishment for the coming 2025 spring season.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s going to be a slow project to accommodate my new sewing pace and schedule limitations.\u00a0 I&#8217;m looking forward to sharing this process!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dawn Devine ~ Davina<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>December 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>PS &#8211; Check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/StudioDavina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook Group<\/a> for full project documentation, to ask questions, and join the conversation.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"10472\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2024\/12\/belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid\/shalimar-davina-bluemermaid\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?fit=864%2C939&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"864,939\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.9&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1731776910&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;2.69&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?fit=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?fit=580%2C630&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10472\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?resize=580%2C630&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?w=864&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?resize=138%2C150&amp;ssl=1 138w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-Davina-BlueMermaid.jpg?resize=768%2C835&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2024\/12\/belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid\/\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"113\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft tfe wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" data-attachment-id=\"10471\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/2024\/12\/belly-dance-costume-blue-mermaid\/shalimar-bluemermaid-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=720%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,540\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 15&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1732717961&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.96&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=580%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" \/><\/a><p>Belly Dance Mermaid Costume Redux 2024 was the year I closed my sewing business.\u00a0 As my hands have aged, I&#8217;ve had to acknowledge my capacity to hold and pull a needle is greatly reduced. I&#8217;ve become unreliable and as such, have stepped back from big projects. When my good friend Shalimar arrived for the Fabulous [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Shalimar-BlueMermaid-1.jpg?fit=720%2C540&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2YZtR-2IS","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10470"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10473,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10470\/revisions\/10473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.davina.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}