It is the beginning of December. I'm starting to make preparations for Christmas and am finishing up the last of my orders for this year. I make a lot of my Christmas presents and so I need to schedule a block of time to do that and also some down time to spend with family.

This red/green costume is available now in my Etsy store.



Brown and natural bun wrap was made for one of my friend's daughters. It is made with ni'au, coconut fiber, lauhala. The center of the flower has a cultured black pearl. The flower was very time consuming to make.

Choosing the proper costume for a Tahitian Dance competiton- Pareo

The competition season is starting. Do you have your complete costume?

Depending on the competition that you are participating in, you will have different costume needs. Make sure you read the rules and regulations for the competition that you will be entering. It is usually included with the entry form.

Most solo competitions require a pareo to be worn. They will specify what the fiber contents should be. Usually, Rayon is allowed. I have seen some that require cotton only.

My shop now carries solid color pareos, in 100% Rayon. The fringe has been removed and the edges have been neatly re sewn. I also remove the maker label.

Please visit my shop
islandcostumes.etsy.com

This is the back side of the braid













I use a hook to hold it tight while I braid

Tahitian Dance costume tutorial. How to make a haku braid costume.

Supplies

a good sized handfull of raffia (or 6 long 1 inch strips of fabric)
a large amount of ti leaves, fern, silk foliage, raffia, more' cut into 10-12 stips
patience




I used 3 yellow strips of fabric so it easier to see in the photos






1. Tie a knot in the top of your raffia(fabric)









2. braid for about 12 inches or so. This will be your tie to tie around your hips.














3. have 2 pieces of the braid in your right hand and 1 piece in your left hand.
Add a clump of leaves. I use 3.





















4. cross over the upper piece in your left
hand






















5. cross over the piece in your right hand
pull it tight


















6. Flip up the back end of the clump




















at the same time- lay your next clump




















Cross



over with the upper left










cross over with the right

and keep going until it is as long as you would like


you will need to make a 12 inch braid at the other end for your other tie and then tie it off

Today was not a good day to photograph

It was coudy and rainy today. I couldn't photograph outside. This photo was taken under the florescent light on my shop table. These tops are for a pre-teen girl. They are so tiny it was hard to sew them. Also, for some reason I broke at least 5 needles in the underwires. It is very frustrating. Especially when it involeves a trip to the store to buy more needles.

The red top will have a white flower on it.

New Tassel hipbelt

THIS TASSEL BELT HAS OVER 40 TASSELS.

ti leaf with ni'au

A special order for a customer as a gift for her daughter. Isn't that what every girl wants!!