Thread: swarovski fringe

Okay so I'm working on this stunning costume that I'm dubbing the Zsa Zsa. The whole thing is being done in swarovski crystals. Now I'm coming down to the fringe and I was wondering how dumb would it be to make the fringe out of the crystals. How easy is it to cut yourself on the crystals? Also would they chip and break easily?

Hi Khaleela

I recently made a dance bra and I sewed a kind of mini fringe on it that included quite a few swarovski crystals. I found them to be very well-behaved and easy to sew with.

I also work part time for someone who designs and makes beaded jewelery and she seems to find that swarovski crystals are quite easy to use in all sorts of contexts.

Neither of us have ever hurt ourselves on or broken a crystal (small glass beads are another matter) but this is just the experience of two people.

I have often wondered this, but didn't want to go through the expense and find it didn't work. I reakon it is a good way to really bling up a costume! Maybe if they were the really small crystals. Definitely post some piccies when ur done!

Maybe if they were the really small crystals.

Yes, the small ones are really quite sturdy and still add that wow factor. I'd go for either 4 or 6 mm.

Cool. I think I'm gonna give it a try. I will definitely post pics of my progress I just have to find time to work on it.

Maybe you already thought about it and decided it wouldn't work for your plan, but there are tons of swarovski crystal beads in different shapes that would work for fringe

Swarovski® Crystal Shop by Cut - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Originally Posted by Safiyah

Maybe you already thought about it and decided it wouldn't work for your plan, but there are tons of swarovski crystal beads in different shapes that would work for fringe

Swarovski® Crystal Shop by Cut - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Oh my! I had to close that window, it was too full of pretty things I want!

i think the biggest drawback is it would be HEAVY!

i'm thinking of the bling factor.......WOW! let's see pics!

Originally Posted by Khaleela

Cool. I think I'm gonna give it a try. I will definitely post pics of my progress I just have to find time to work on it.

Khaleela, you're AWESOME!!! Can't wait to see how Zsa Zsa looks!!!
You do realize, of course, that if this is a great success--which I'm sure we all anticipate this to be!--you may be getting a windfall of new sideline business commissioned project requests from the tech-n-tailor-challenged such as myself?!..g.:

oh man! I really like artbeads.com too they give you free shipping and massive discounts when you buy in bulk...

on a side note...the only thing I would be worried about hurting myself if they fell off and you step on them, but it is the same problem with glass beads....so why not?

You guys are getting super motivated to finish this. Now I can't wait for the crystals to arrive.w.:

I was thinking about the fringe falling off so I was trying to find something that would be strong enough yet pliable enough for movement. I know I can't use any kind of normal threading,

Any suggestions?

This is really timely -- I need to add some spot fringe to a dress and was thinking that crystals would be very cool. What type of thread would you use to string them?

I really like the look of the two-tone Czech glass, too -- hadn't seen that before. Nice colors!
Bead, Czech fire-polished glass, two-tone, crystal/dark blue AB, 3mm faceted round. Sold per 16-inch strand. - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

If the hole in your beads are big enough.... use carpet/button thread

if not- I would recommend using at least 2-3 strands of quilting thread in a good brand (its really strong) def. I like gutterman or coats and clark but there are other good brands out there too.

NEVER ever use rayone thread. a good test is to pull on the thread as hard as you can....if you can break it- don't use it!

That was quick. Thanks, Jen!

If your really worried about thread strength then I'd recommend either using beader's silk (its super strong despite appearances) or leather thread.

My experience of swarovski crystals is that they tend to have a fairly generous and consistent bore so you should get away with a chunkier thread.

leather thread? never used it, but would it move nicely? I guess I imagine leather thread as stiff.... but could be wrong.

No, its not stiff at all, its very tough and slightly waxy for sewing through leather. I don't know any brand names I'm afraid but I'd recommend it for anyone's sewing kit - its great in all sorts of situations where you just want something tough.

I think it comes in a fairly restricted color palette - black, brown, that sort of thing

ahh, okay, its like jeans thread...or button thread... I was imagining the thread made out of leather...not made to sew through leather!
haha, I'm a little out of it this morning!

Princess Madiha makes all her costumes now out of crystals. It is very expensive.

Originally Posted by Zana

This is really timely -- I need to add some spot fringe to a dress and was thinking that crystals would be very cool. What type of thread would you use to string them?

I really like the look of the two-tone Czech glass, too -- hadn't seen that before. Nice colors!
Bead, Czech fire-polished glass, two-tone, crystal/dark blue AB, 3mm faceted round. Sold per 16-inch strand. - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Glad to see you are making moves on your project. Can't wait to see it!

Hey, sweets. You caught me -- I just can't part with it after all. Think that color (at the link) would work to bling up the hipline?

Khaleela, I hope you do post pics. Sounds gorgeous!

oh man, the thought of swarvoski fringe nearly made me start drooling....

Originally Posted by norma

Princess Madiha makes all her costumes now out of crystals. It is very expensive.

Yeah I told my husband that this will be my million dollar costume but I want people to have to wear sunglasses to watch me. ..l;,

I made my daughter's latest costume out of solid rhinestones/rhinestone trim plus swarovski cystal beads in the fringe. It was magnificent!

Of course, I was buying at retail and I think the various trims and crystals cost me over $300 . . .

Happy beading!

Deborah

It sounds fabulous, please post pictures of the fringe! I was wondering wether it would be really expensive to bead swarovski fringe, I guess that deborah already answered that question!

Khaleela where did you buy your crystals at??

I just have to add here that I read this thread title as "swarovski fridge" and had this image of a jewelled refrigerator.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I just have to add here that I read this thread title as "swarovski fridge" and had this image of a jewelled refrigerator.

Ha, ha, ha! Sparkly magnets included! What about a matching stove?

I've checked out the Fire Mountain website before and just drooled the whole time . . . it's pretty overwhelming, actually.

When I checked it out again upon reading this thread, I discovered that their swarovski prices are really good, as compared to the regular retail stores in my area.

Re: the cost to make my kid's costume: I have to admit that I was paying $70+ a yard for an absolutely magnificent rhinestone & clear bead trim. I used the aurora borealis swarovski beads (bi-cones) in the fringe that had more clear aurora borealis seed beads and very inexpensive oblong silver-coated beads than it did anything else.

But, I think if I were to get my swarovskis from a place like Fire Mountain (et al), I could have afforded to string many more of those fab beads than I did and not gone completely broke doing it.

The upshot? In my book, go for it, Khaleela!

Deborah
the "sparklies" lover