Egyptian Dance Costume Pleating

by Dana MacDermott

To get Egyptian pleats for dance, do the "broomstick" method.

Use silk or rayon or cotton (depending on your budget).
Silk and rayon will have the best movement, but a light cotton will work.
Wet the fabric and tie it tightly around something like a broomstick or a piece of PVC pipe.
Dry.

I am told some outfits of that sort have been in use successfully at San Jose State University's Theatre department for over 15 years. You can twist and tie the garments for storage.

As I am now recalling, it is entirely possible that this method may have been actually used, with the regular pleats in art work being one of the Egyptian stylizations.

If you have any further information to share about this topic, please e-mail Carole Parker for inclusion.