I often hear from dancers,

“I’d love to be able to sew, but I can’t.”

And for some, that’s the end of their story.

But for others, that’s the beginning of a new dancer career – they start to learn how to sew and create beautiful costumes!

Let’s face it – it’s impossible for dancers to NOT encounter costuming problems.

• Your size may change over time.
• Need a quick costuming option for a troupe piece.
• Beads and stones may fall off your favorite costume.
• Stitches come undone.
• Want to change the lining of the costume so it feels nice and fresh again….

The list goes on and on.

If you were to ask a seamstress to fix your costuming problem each time, that would require advanced planning, your time, the seamstress’ time, and probably hundreds of dollars over the years.

But simple sewing techniques can fix most of your costuming problems and wishes!

So if you’re a dancer – hobbist or professional – I think there’s no good reason for why you shouldn’t learn to sew 🙂

But I know it’s hard to learn how, especially by yourself.

You can google how, but there’s waaay too much information out there nowadays. So where do you start?

Well, I have discovered a lovely solution 🙂

Have you heard of “sewcial”?

Last year I’ve stumbled upon this great word and concept – sewcial.

Basically, a sewcial is a gathering of friends with a common goal and purpose to do sewing project together 🙂

There’s really no rule for sewcials – just get together with your dancer/costumer friends, work on the same or different sewing projects. You can help or teach each other, share fabric and sewing machines. Have drinks and snack, nice music in the background, and enjoy catching up as you work through your own projects 🙂

Sounds fun, right? 😀

Well, it IS fun.

In fact, several months ago, I invited a whole bunch of dancers and dance teachers who were interested in hosting sewcials in their communities. I wanted to see how sewcials can work for belly dancers.

And for their sewing projects, they tried the DIY Applique Kits from my shop 🙂

I asked them to share some photos of their sewcials, and here’s what I received.

Sparkly Sewcial Gallery

Inara and Kanina and members of the Beledi Dance Company (US)

“The appliqués are really beautiful and we had a wide range of abilities at the party from never having sewn before to old pros with stitching and it was something we all had fun doing!” – Inara

Sandra and members of Inner Light Dancers (Canada)

“We had a great time at our Sewcial. We will enjoy these appliques for many years to come. They are such a great way change up troupe costumes. Plus they are easy and satisfying to make, thanks to your well thought out kits. I see more of these in our future. “ – Sandra

Hsing Ni and members of Texas Coastal Bend Bellydance Association (US)

“Each lady has a different level of experience of sewing/beading, from experienced to “never even have sewn a button on”. …And you know what? Every lady has created a beautiful, handmade beaded applique they can proudly use on a future belly dance costume.” – Hsing Ni

Christine, Mielle, Lucenda, Cheryl, Kathie (Canada)

“[W]hen I am not together with my dance sisters for an extended period of time I notice myself falling into depression. …Dancing and being around your dance sisters is definitely a type of therapy for most of us.

It was a really enjoyable experience for all of us. A time to work together while chatting about our daily struggles and joys of life. We had lots of fun along the way and plenty of laughs. Some of the pictures I have included will definitely convey that!” – Christine

Aiyanna and members of Belly Dance Essex (Canada)

“The ladies and I definitely enjoyed the opportunity to get together and chat as we don’t really have time for that on a regular basis so yes everyone had a good time. I would definitely want to do it again.” – Aiyanna

Jessikah and her friends at Jassikah Bellydance (US)

What do you think? I don’t know about you, but these photos made me want to join each one of these sewcials!! 🙂

I think Hsing Ni (above) summarized the sewcial experience really well:

“These little ‘Sewcials’ on Sunday afternoons have been a wonderful experience of slowing down, destressing, and learning something new and fun. However, the best part of it is the companionship and conversation, real conversation, face to face.“

The best part about having sewcials is the precious bonding opportunity with your dancer friends.

We live such busy lives, and we sometimes see our friends only in lessons… and some of them only on Facebook.

But a sewcial will give you an opportunity to get together with your teachers and classmates as friends, get to know each other, while working on the next costumes you are going to wear in upcoming shows for this year.

You probably know from experience – if you feel closer with your troupe mates, eye contact and smiles come more naturally and beautifully when you dance on stage!

Whether you know how to sew is not important. If you don’t know how to sew, you can learn from others!

What if no one in your group knows how to sew? Then how about work on a beginner-friendly project together from Sparkly Belly like these:

…OR applique kits that come with step-by-step instructions like everyone did above 🙂

January is a slow month for many people, so why not open up your home, invite your friends and troupe mates and do a nice sewcial? 🙂

And if you’re ready to start sewing projects, I have a whole bunch of tutorials planned for the next few weeks. If you’re interested, sign up for my newsletter below and I’ll send new tutorials in your inbox!

Click here to sign up for my newsletter (+ get free access to my email course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101!)

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!

P.S. If you ALREADY enjoy sewing, why not share your creation in the Applique Design Contest? Your design could be featured in the DIY Applique Kit shop!

Learn more and join the contest on Facebook or Instagram!

P.P.S. Pin this image on your party idea board!

Like what you read? Want to make more costuming bits yourself?

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