Thread: Updating a Pharonics set

Ok ladies....

I'm setting out to do some tidying up on a pre-owned Pharonics set...Dahlal's name for this is Venus.

I'm going to re-bead the long fringe with glass beads...That's the easy part!

Hard part is I want to replace some of the plastic beads with crystals on the belt...I pulled out the lining, trouble is, not a lot of visible stitching...I have no idea how the sequined base is sewn...Anyone ever try cracking a plastic bead to remove it, but leave the thread?

If I snip a bead off of the base, can I be sure I won't lose any of the surrounding sequins? Same for the replacement of the sequins....I'd like to replace a section or two but am afraid of unraveling...

Any other tips to revamp some faded sequins?

Thanks!

I was thinking about doing this too. I was thinking about getting some "wire cutters" and trying to cut the bead or a dremel to "saw" the big plastic beads in half in order to leave the threading.

i don't have a venus, but I can say that I've seen the costume that you're talking about and I think if you cut the bottom of the thread and remove all beads, you'll still have enough thread left from the fringe piece to tie of and add more fringe. does this make sense?

This may be a silly question, but might Fray-check work if you have to snip a thread?

I once accidentally snipped a thread on a bra and used hot glue to seal the area off. I don't think it'd work for a lycra skirt, but it definitely worked on a hard cup bra! You can't even tell.

hey
can you post some pics of the stitching? it may just be sequined appliques...and in that case you wouldn't have to worry about anything falling apart. though I don't remember pharonics ever using appliques.

No applique....All crazy sequins...though the fray check might work....

I may end up just resequining parts...work it though :o)

When I get going I'll take photos...I'm gonna try to crack one of the beads on the back part of the bra...doing a couple of test runs on other beads....

This could be fun or crazy...Percussive Maintenance...if at first you don't succeed, find a hammer....

When i am sewing a beaded fabric, I use a hammer to crush the beads on the seam to get rid of them without damaging the thread. You might be able to use a hammer and drift (small cylinder like a nail punch on each bead) or a strong set of pliers to crush them.

I use gem glue to seal down beads and sequins after the thread breaks. It goes on white and dries clear, and doesn't lose the shine of the beads. Having said that, I once used it to glue sequins on to a chiffon skirt, and the back side of the chiffon is tacky to this day...but on a heavy lycra or belt base it should work fine.

Good luck - I think you've gotta be brave to attack beading on a costume!

This is what I do for glass beads, especially jagged ones in fringe that you need to remove so they don't cut the thread - put a stick pin in the hole to hold it steady, line up the tip of some needle-nose pliers on the individual bead, look away, then squeeze the pliers to break the bead. (I read this tip somewhere the first time I made a costume with fringe - can't remember the source.)

Haven't tried this with plastic beads, though.

Originally Posted by BernieV

Ok ladies....

Anyone ever try cracking a plastic bead to remove it, but leave the thread?

Thanks for all of the tips! What worked for me was needle nose jewelry pliers with the ridged edge...just snipped away at the beads and gone!!!

Now to find the beads to sew back on!!

Any tips for faded sequins?