Hi there, and thanks for the vote of confidence @doubleminaz :-)

I'm assuming you want to make a coin bra or basic cabaret style bra? If so, here are some general instructions based on my personal recipes for creating them...

1) It's super important to start with a good bra base--a sturdy, foam-cupped underwire bra is essential. It's best to choose one that has no lace or other external decoration on it.

2) Cut off the upper straps. I like to make new straps out of extra-wide quilt binding for tribal bras--extremely durable, you can cover it with decorative fabric if you wish. If you plan on a halter -style bra you just need to attach these where the original brastraps were, above the cups, angling in slightly. (Cut the ties longer if you want to have halter-style ties) . If not making halter style upper closure, sew the straps at the same trajectory as the original straps--you'll be affixing the other end to the base later in the process. Sew on your straps VERY securely.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~ramsden/tribal/gifs/tapepoint.jpg

3) Leave the sidestraps on while you're decorating...this will allow you to try the bra on periodically while you're working. (Sometimes you won't even need to remove these if you've chosen a bra with good, simple opaque straps and no decoration that screams "I'm lingerie!" Also, no need to remove these if you'll be wearing the bra under a ghawazee vest or bolero).

4)Take some time to plan your decorations, moving them around the bra to see what arrangement you like. I often use fabric strips from Banjara mirror textiles or Kuchi belts, Turkoman buttons, and rows of fancy beaded trims or feathers (see my website pics in the source list for examples) to create a strong upper edge. It's good to try on the bra after you've pinned up your initial idea, to make sure the design is creating an appealing symmetry on your body.

5) Remove the pinned on decorations, set them aside, and cover the cups with a decorative fabric. This is perhaps the trickiest thing to master at first ... you need to lay the fabric over the bra and form it to fit, moving the excess fabric towards the lower side edge to create a dart. You'll find some links below that give more info with helpful pictures on how to do this. There's also an alternative method using two pieces of fabric (a wide upper strip and a lower football-shaped pieces) ... I use this for some projects, and you'll find a nice discussion of how it works in the bhuz message board link on my source list. Regardless of what method you choose, you want to be careful that you aren't stretching the fabric so tight that it is pulling, and causing the bra cups to constrict or flatten! This is especially a concern if you're using a stretch fabric to cover the bra.

Do not try to use a sewing machine to tack fabric or trims to your bra. Everything needs to be hand-stitched for best results . I find the overcast stitching method works best....I use it for adding all fabric and trims to my bras. Here's what that stitch looks like:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~ramsden/tribal/gifs/oversew.gif

6) Add your pre-planned trim decorations to the bra, again resisting temptation to do any of this on a machine. :-) Overstitch each line on individually, and remember that more juxtapositions of textures will make for a richer, more professional design. Also, try and add at least one decorative element that will move...something to jangle and/or catch the light.

7) If making a coin bra or decorating with any hanging ornamentation that will be covering a large area, you'll want to use the technique known as "fish-scaling." Basically, you're attaching a lower row and them building above and around it, adding each piece in a manner that results in a pattern like scales on a fish. See the tribe.com link on my sources list below for more discussion on this. Here's what fishscaled coining looks like on a finished bra.

http://www.stephaniebarto.com/images/BeadedKuchiCoinBraB.jpg

When attaching coins, makes sure to loop through and then individually knot after each one (tie knots on the interior of the cups) for more durability. Also, make sure you don't affix each piece so tightly that it can't move...you want to ornaments to be secure, but still have freedom to move when you dance.

8) I've never attempted to do a fully beaded cabaret bra ... you could probably take on a project like this if you have some basic familiarity with the beading process and LOTS of time! For a cabaret look that is less difficult and time consuming, you might want to shop for some pre-beaded trim stips and appliques ... with prom season underway, it's a great time to find these items in stores right now. You can also find beautiful sparkly and beaded pieces on clothes at thrift stores ... find an elegant beaded or sequin-decorated dress, cut the decorative detail from it, and artfully apply to your bra and belt.

9) Finally, it's time to deal with the side straps. For a tribal costume or any outfit where another garment will cover the sides and back of the bra, you can get away with leaving on the existing side straps if they are sturdy and completely opaque. Otherwise, you'll need to create new sidestraps. You should use a doublelayer of heavy cotton duckcloth for straps that will carry a bra with heavy coined or beaded decoration.

10) The last step is lining a bra---cotton or velvet is best for this. Just tack the fabric on the inside, again using the technique of moving excess towards the lower corner area and darting.

With making bellydance bras, the fun is in the decorating and the greater challenge and not-so-fun work is all about the base construction aspects. Here's a page that goes into good detail on this (including some alternative options I didn't mention above) and also some helpful pics: http://members.iinet.net.au/~ramsden/tribal/coinbra2.html

I wrote this without knowing what type of design you had in mind...if you follow up with more detail, I'll try to assist with more specific recommendations. I've also added lots of links in my source list below that offer good illustrations of different methods for making and decorating a bellydance bra ... there's not single "right way" to do it.

Good luck with your project! :-)

http://www.stephaniebarto.com/images/0408BanjaraBraWithArmbands2.jpg
http://www.stephaniebarto.com/images/metalfringedrapebra.jpg
http://www.stephaniebarto.com/images/brablackassuitmetalfringe2.jpg

Welcome to Mahalo, bdd! I wouldn't have a clue, but it just so happens that one of our leading community members is an expert on that very subject!!! I will make sure that @balinesecat knows about your Q, and I'm sure she'll be in touch!!!