3 reviews for Fat Chance Belly Dance The Choli Pattern
Rated 3 out of 5
Rachel Gibbs –
I have been sewing since I was 8 and 22 years later am baffled as to why I can’t get this pattern right. In the directions it says you’ll have to do some tweaking and if you keep working at it, eventually you’ll have the pattern that fits you perfectly. Unfortunately I seem to be getting worse with each further permutation of this pattern (I have made 6 now in a variety of different fabrics) it fits even more horribly than it did to begin with. I am a larger-ish busted woman (40C) and can’t for the life of me figure out why the pattern lacks a band of cloth underneath the bust; how could this possibly work on anyone? The structural physics just don’t add up.
The pattern claims to be authentic in that there are no curved lines anywhere because in Rajastan or Afganistan women wove their cloth on looms in square or rectangular shapes. That’s great that the historical/anthropological/whatever information is provided but I don’t live in Rajastan (and I’m pretty sure anyone else using this pattern doesn’t either), I didn’t weave my own cloth, I am in full posession of a pair of scissors, sewing machine, etc. so I guess I don’t understand the purpose of the pattern not using curved lines. Because it doesn’t work and I suspect the lack of curved lines (our bodies are curved!!) may have something to do with that. Perhaps Fat Chance & Folkwear have recieved a lot of complaints; they no longer appear to offer this pattern on their websites, instead they have created a “Tribal Bellydancer” suite of patterns, with the choli having specific sizes. I’ll not be twice burned.
Rated 3 out of 5
Teresa Sorba –
I made the c cup variation. I found the directions for measurements too vague to follow properly and had to guess on a lot of it. The resulting garment didn’t fit at all and was a waste of fabric. This might work a whole lot better with someone to help with the first stage of fitting. I also ended up putting belt loops in the sides to control the lay of the wrap around ties. Not happy with this pattern.
Rated 4 out of 5
Kathleen Crowley –
I am a bellydancer/costume designer and have been making the FatChanceBellyDance choli pattern for at least 10 years now. This is a dance garment fashioned after the Indian choli that has been worn for centuries. It is designed for ease of movement and the aesthetic for American Tribal Style Bellydance. Also beautiful with many other Tribal/dance styles, this pattern can be modified to suit your needs. It can be used in many other ways – say with jeans or a skirt. The pattern consists of triangles, squares, and rectangles – just as they are still worn in other countries. The square shape is a gusset that goes under the arm so that the arms are able to conduct the required movements and posture of ATS bellydance. (arms and elbows up) This pattern looks like it would be simple, but can require trial and error fittings before one gets it right. For instance: I have had to lengthen the shoulders by an inch for myself. I sometimes have to give the supportive band some extra width for the larger ladies. I have changed the sleeve shape in numerous ways. You can eliminate the middle bust seam altogether if making this in knit fabric for a smaller busted woman. A larger busted woman will need the triangular cup piece for fullnes. If fitted and constructed properly with fabrics that are appropriate for what you intend to use it for, your choli will be comfortable and beautiful for years.
The Folkwear version of this choli, #144 (Tribal Style Belly Dancer) is updated in partnership with FatChanceBellyDance and provides sizes small through 2XL in B,C, and D cups. This is probably a better choice for those who need specific sizing right off. You will still need to do fittings to get it right, just as you would for most fitted garments.
Rachel Gibbs –
I have been sewing since I was 8 and 22 years later am baffled as to why I can’t get this pattern right. In the directions it says you’ll have to do some tweaking and if you keep working at it, eventually you’ll have the pattern that fits you perfectly. Unfortunately I seem to be getting worse with each further permutation of this pattern (I have made 6 now in a variety of different fabrics) it fits even more horribly than it did to begin with. I am a larger-ish busted woman (40C) and can’t for the life of me figure out why the pattern lacks a band of cloth underneath the bust; how could this possibly work on anyone? The structural physics just don’t add up.
The pattern claims to be authentic in that there are no curved lines anywhere because in Rajastan or Afganistan women wove their cloth on looms in square or rectangular shapes. That’s great that the historical/anthropological/whatever information is provided but I don’t live in Rajastan (and I’m pretty sure anyone else using this pattern doesn’t either), I didn’t weave my own cloth, I am in full posession of a pair of scissors, sewing machine, etc. so I guess I don’t understand the purpose of the pattern not using curved lines. Because it doesn’t work and I suspect the lack of curved lines (our bodies are curved!!) may have something to do with that. Perhaps Fat Chance & Folkwear have recieved a lot of complaints; they no longer appear to offer this pattern on their websites, instead they have created a “Tribal Bellydancer” suite of patterns, with the choli having specific sizes. I’ll not be twice burned.
Teresa Sorba –
I made the c cup variation. I found the directions for measurements too vague to follow properly and had to guess on a lot of it. The resulting garment didn’t fit at all and was a waste of fabric. This might work a whole lot better with someone to help with the first stage of fitting. I also ended up putting belt loops in the sides to control the lay of the wrap around ties. Not happy with this pattern.
Kathleen Crowley –
I am a bellydancer/costume designer and have been making the FatChanceBellyDance choli pattern for at least 10 years now. This is a dance garment fashioned after the Indian choli that has been worn for centuries. It is designed for ease of movement and the aesthetic for American Tribal Style Bellydance. Also beautiful with many other Tribal/dance styles, this pattern can be modified to suit your needs. It can be used in many other ways – say with jeans or a skirt. The pattern consists of triangles, squares, and rectangles – just as they are still worn in other countries. The square shape is a gusset that goes under the arm so that the arms are able to conduct the required movements and posture of ATS bellydance. (arms and elbows up) This pattern looks like it would be simple, but can require trial and error fittings before one gets it right. For instance: I have had to lengthen the shoulders by an inch for myself. I sometimes have to give the supportive band some extra width for the larger ladies. I have changed the sleeve shape in numerous ways. You can eliminate the middle bust seam altogether if making this in knit fabric for a smaller busted woman. A larger busted woman will need the triangular cup piece for fullnes. If fitted and constructed properly with fabrics that are appropriate for what you intend to use it for, your choli will be comfortable and beautiful for years.
The Folkwear version of this choli, #144 (Tribal Style Belly Dancer) is updated in partnership with FatChanceBellyDance and provides sizes small through 2XL in B,C, and D cups. This is probably a better choice for those who need specific sizing right off. You will still need to do fittings to get it right, just as you would for most fitted garments.