THE JOY OF VEILS
Making or buying veils is a big part
of the dance experience. Each veil has it's own personality. Here are some types
of veils to give you ideas.
1. Rectangular veils.
Literally a long
rectangle straight off the bolt, anywhere from 45" to 60" wide, with the
edges hemmed. (If you are short, stick to 45" wide at first). Pick a floaty
fabric like chiffon, or silk for indoor shows. For outdoor shows, you can make the
edges heavier by adding trim. Or choose a slightly thicker fabric. Avoid anything
stiff, or you will have to fight with it as you dance. For a woman of average height
2 1/2 yards is fine. If you are tall, go with 3 yards. I recommend getting 3 yards,
dancing with the veil once you get it home, and then cutting off the length in 6"
increments until it is just right. Remember, once you cut it off, it's hard to stick
it back on. So, go easy on the trimming. Save the scraps to repair costumes, cover
the bra cups of a new costume, or to make a coordinating headband. Most of my students
find that with a little more experience, they can handle a longer veil.
If possible,
save yourself some headaches by choosing a wrinkle free fabric to begin with. Some
fabrics almost never wrinkle. Others wrinkle the moment you turn your back on them.
*DO NOT PUT FRAGILE VEILS IN A CLOTHES DRYER*
2. Circular Veils
These
vary, but I prefer a half circle. Since it's rather tricky to draft the pattern,
once I made a circular veil I liked, I copied it to make a pattern, and now all my
veils match. (Handy for double veil dancing, because the size matches). Circular
veils are a lot of fun and fly completely different. There are some moves you can
only do with a circular veil and vice versa. Plus the circular veil can be placed
over your skirts and tucked in at the hips, making you look more opulent because
you have more layers on, until you pull it off to dance with it.
3. Capes
If
you make one of these out of filmy fabric, you can put it on, grab the edges, and
do many veil-type movements with it.
4. Scarves/hankerchiefs
They
can be held in each hand for a flirty little dance. Or use them to wrap your head,
make hip sashes, or fabric necklaces.
SAFETY TIPS:
When dancing with
a veil, watch out for overhead fans, candle flames, campfires, bbq's and wandering
cigarettes in the hands of customers. Never set your veil on the floor. Someone (maybe
even you) could slide on it and trip. If you see someone drop a veil on the floor
by accident, and you can pick it up without being too distracting, she'll appreciate
it.
RECYCLING VEILS:
1. Sometimes you can save the good parts from
a few different veils and piece them together. Seams can be covered with trim. It
helps to have a serger. The most beautiful veil I ever saw was a circular one with
pie-shaped segments of black lace, copper lame', and other exotic fabrics pieced
together.
2. Old veils can be put in your teaching bin for new students
to practice with.
3. Cut into strips and sew onto a skirt as a ruffle.
Discard greasy or torn parts. Or use the good part of the veil as a skirt panel.
4.
Use as an instant table cloth.
5. Hang as swags, draperies, lamp covers,
tie backs. etc. Or use as temporary walls for your pavilion or craft booth.
6.
Trace as a pattern
7. If only the edges are worn, cut off the frayed part,
add new trim, or cut down in size to make a veil for a child or short lady.
8.
Use the fabric to cover hat forms, make silk roses, chokers, and headwraps. Three
strips can be braided together to make headbands, belts, or ties. I am fond of lace
veils. Because lace does not ravel, once the veil is too old to use you can still
cut out the good motifs and use them for applique.
9. If it's really too
far gone, cut it into pieces to stuff into your shoes/boots to help keep their shape.
10.
Before you throw it away, save a piece for your belly dance scrapbook.
INDEX
VEIL DANCING TIPS
PRACTICE:
Since every veil has it's own personality, you must practice with each
and every new veil. Make sure you try it with all the jewelry and costume pieces
you plan to wear together. Be particularly careful with lace and dangling earrings.
ENVIRONMENT:
Be aware of the type of surface you'll be dancing on.
Your $100 dollar chiffon veil might be great for a cocktail party show, but can be
a disaster if you try to wear it on a muddy day, in a high wind, or near a campfire.
It's always good to have a few cheapie veils for dirty venues.
AFTER
THE SHOW:
Don't get so excited you leave your veil on stage or wrapped around
a customer after a show. They may think it's a souvenir and walk off with it.
DUET:
If doing a duet, swap veils with your partner before you start if they are different
colors. You have an instant color reversal. Swap veils while dancing halfway through
the show. Fun! Just practice it first. If you are 4'11" and she is 6', this
might not work.
This entire website is COPYRIGHT
by Fayme Harper,
Gypsy Produtions and/or the creators of the graphics, 1999-2002
