Middle Eastern Dance Costuming:
Fabrics, Patterns, Trim

Local - Arizona USA

Cloth World
2986 W. Ina Rd. 520-297-5177
3692 S. 16 Ave. 520-882-3913
7525 E. Broadway Blvd. 520-298-3361
3906 N. Oracle Rd. 520-888-0996
Tucson, AZ USA

Couture Fabrics
7129 E. 1 Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ USA

Hancock Fabrics
6325 E. 22, 520-747-9201
2904 N. 1 Ave., 520-624-6541
525 W. Valencia Rd., 520-744-6635
Tucson, AZ USA

One of the better, if not the best, general fabric stores in Tucson. The 22 St. store has the biggest selection, though the other stores each carry a few items not found in any of the other Hancock stores.

House of Fabrics
6230 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ USA
520-748-7665

Kwik-Sew Patterns
5933 E. 22 St.
Tucson, AZ USA
520-747-3466

SAS Fabrics By the Pound
5320 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ USA
520-326-7252

Discount lace, trims, zippers, buttons, fabrics.

National (USA)

Babs Woods Sewing/Bra and Underwire FAQ
Web site

For those interested in making their own dance bras, see the Things Babs likes to do or talk about page which includes links to her Bra and Underwire FAQ's. She maintains the FAQ's for the former alt.sewing, now the rec.crafts.textiles.sewing, etc. groups; the FAQ's include mail-order bra suppliers.

Elan Pattern Co.
534 Sandalwood
El Cajon, CA 92021 USA

For those costumers who prefer to make their own bras, Elan Patterns sells underwire bra patterns up to size 48 FF. They also sell "the kits (fabric, elastic, etc.) to make our patterns, and they are available in white, red, sapphire, teal, purple, champagne, navy, hot pink and chestnut brown. Our brochure is $1.50 (with discount coupon) and color swatches are $1.00. We accept Visa and Mastercard."

Green Duck Designs Web site

They sell books, patterns, costumes and more for "the Medieval Enthusiast". They also specifically sell belly dance patterns by Atira and a few middle eastern dance costuming books.

Jehlor Fantasy Fabrics
730 Andover Park West
Seattle WA 98188 USA
phone: 206-575-8250
fax: 206-575-8281

(Medance list) "Originated the patterns sold to Atira (see Suppliers page)...also suggested spraying Varathane to keep beading from breaking or bleeding." Catalog $5, many color pics.

Kwik-Sew Pattern Co., Inc.
3000 Washington Ave. N
Minneapolis, MN 55411 USA

For those costumers who prefer to make their own bras, Kwik-Sew sells a couple of bra patterns: the smaller sizes have an underwire pattern, larger size patterns exist but don't include underwire. Their underwire style gives instructions for using either preformed bra wires or a casing for that plastic boning you see in fabric stores. They also sell patterns for other kinds of underwear, conventional clothing; all in multi sizes as well as books on different subjects e.g. making lingerie. $5 for the catalog ($3.50 plus $1.50 postage). (Courtesy of medance list.)

Renaissance Faire Costuming FAQ
Web Site

Renaissance Faire FAQ - Costuming Suppliers; includes nationwide info on patterns and fabric suppliers, as well as sections on books, pamphlets and catalogs dealing with costuming. A quick glance showed a listing for "Atira's Fashions" in Seattle (listed above, this page too), which sells middle eastern costume patterns for belly dancers; listings for relevant fabric outlets; and a history of costuming from ancient egypt til now.

Sheikhani Middle Eastern Dance Troupe
PO Box 3065
Colorado Springs, CO 80934 USA
Website: http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/tokepcal

Performers. They also have basic costume patterns at their site. "We worked hard on them and want them to get to as many people as could use them - - (there are no charges attached or solicited for the patterns)."

Last Modified: 12 Aug 1997