This article originally appeared in the September 2006 Tribal issue of
Jareeda
magazine.
This is an oldie, but a goodie. A trick I have been doing for all
the 30 plus years I have been in Belly Dance. You make a neat pair of
gauntlets using a pair of Knee High Socks. I went to the panty hose
section of my Grocery Store Super Store and bought a pair of black fishnet
knee highs. The cost was about $5.00.
I cut off most of the toe section. Then turned it back the remainder
and sewed a seam with a basic zigzag stitch. A zigzag stitch will give you
a surprising amount of stretch. This results in a tube open at both
ends. And presto I have a pair of really cool Tribal or Tribal Fusion
style gauntlets.
The wide leg band section easily holds up the gauntlet on your bicep.
What was the toe section goes on your wrist. If you have very narrow
wrists, you can make the toe seam wider to form a casing and insert either
elastic cord or narrow flat elastic, to hold it in place.
These can be decorated with light weight coins, bells, or tassels.
Remember the weight of any embellishment will effect their ability to stay
up. Stretchable fabric paint can also be dabbed on to give it some
sparkle, giving the gauntlets a more Fusion or even a Cabaret look.
This is just part of the neat stuff from Janie Midgley’s “Costuming
on a Budget” workshop. And will be part of her forthcoming book, “Costuming
on a Budget”.
