Thread: I'm doing it girls; I'm going to MAKE a costume!

Okay, so I've made two before, but they weren't very fancy and they were my first two cossies ever. This time, I'd like to make one I can actually wear for my gigs and I'm giving myself 6 months to do it.

I've been inspired by Suhaila's assuit/coin cossie and want to mix it with some major bling to blend tribal and cabaret:


I've already bought assuit fabric that is on it's way and found a gorgeous metal center piece for the belt. So where do you find good sturdy bras? Do you get them from Ross/Marshall's/Goodwill? What size should I be looking for if I normally wear a 34B?

Next question, where can I find real coins with a double loop (one on top and one on bottom)? I need to string them together so they hang and dangle.

I buy my bras everywhere, by touching to feel how sturdy the cups are, funny shopping grabing all the bras
I only use the cups, cut the straps and replace them with none stretch material.

forgot; I buy my street size and see mainly if the cups fit nice, and if the cover/show enough depending on the future costume.

I usually buy my cup size. If you are going to pad, I recommend bringing your padding with you (if you have a certain type of insert or whatever) so that you can try on cups that way.

I get formed cups that have good coverage. I swear every bra covers different parts of my breast, so I have to try them on to make sure my nipples don't show.

As for coins, I haven't done this myself, but I hear ebay is the way to go. JoAnn's used to sell them and they closed them out and I bought as many packets as I could

costless has real coins but you will need to drill the holes. I've never found "double looped" coins, I don't think they are out there, plus they will not hang if connected top and bottom. You will need coins that are hole drilled and you will also need the chain and "jump rings" to connect the coins to the chain. I also recommend soldering the jump rings or you will constantly be fixing the gaps in the rings so the coins don't fall off. natures-gems.com

Go, Maliam, go GO!

The only advice I have to offer is that I made a costume with coins once, and I used a lot of chain. I doubled the chain, made it hang in nice double loops, and attached coins to the center of each loop using jumprings. Where each set of loops was stitched along the bottom of the costume, I strung short beaded fringe and tipped each bit with a coin. It went so FAST, and I was so happy with the results, that I'm getting ready to do it again to embellish a fringeless costume. So consider chain and jumprings...

Hmm...I don't have the tool to drill the holes myself. I'm looking for the coins like the one on the pink bella I just sold: (post #19)
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ever-seen.html

If you look closely, the coins have a loop attached on the top and the bottom. I've seen this with just one loop, but not both. I'm really hoping they pop up somewhere!

Good advice about the soldering too. I'd hate to lose anything during a performance.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Go, Maliam, go GO!

The only advice I have to offer is that I made a costume with coins once, and I used a lot of chain. I doubled the chain, made it hang in nice double loops, and attached coins to the center of each loop using jumprings. Where each set of loops was stitched along the bottom of the costume, I strung short beaded fringe and tipped each bit with a coin. It went so FAST, and I was so happy with the results, that I'm getting ready to do it again to embellish a fringeless costume. So consider chain and jumprings...

Do you have any pics to share?

Oh, now I see what you're talking about regarding the coin loops. You can do this with jumprings too. I would contact a vendor who gets tribal jewelry from Turkey. Maybe they can look for this type of coin for you. The lady in Bothel who owns that dance studio/Turkish store is someone who can possibly help you. She goes to Turkey (married to a Turkish man) once or twice a year. I can't remember the store name, Ottoman Trading co.? If she can find those coins, please, please let me know!

Originally Posted by maliam

Do you have any pics to share?

Hmmm... well, sort of. This was the first costume I ever made, so ignore everything except the coin edging. And it's not a very good pic, but I don't have the costume any more to take a new one.

Along the bottom edge, you can see the coin loops interspersed with bits of fringe. When I do this again, I'll make the beaded strands shorter so they don't get tangled in the chain loops. It took no time at all to create an edging with the chain loops, and a belly drape was easy this way, too.

Originally Posted by jasani

Oh, now I see what you're talking about regarding the coin loops. You can do this with jumprings too. I would contact a vendor who gets tribal jewelry from Turkey. Maybe they can look for this type of coin for you. The lady in Bothel who owns that dance studio/Turkish store is someone who can possibly help you. She goes to Turkey (married to a Turkish man) once or twice a year. I can't remember the store name, Ottoman Trading co.? If she can find those coins, please, please let me know!

Dena! I teach at her studio (you're correct with the name). I've asked her about some coins and will talk to her on Thursday before class some more. I know she has the single loop, but not sure about double. They're very difficult to find.

If she does have them and I place an order, is there a specific amount you'd be interested in?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Hmmm... well, sort of. This was the first costume I ever made, so ignore everything except the coin edging. And it's not a very good pic, but I don't have the costume any more to take a new one.

Along the bottom edge, you can see the coin loops interspersed with bits of fringe. When I do this again, I'll make the beaded strands shorter so they don't get tangled in the chain loops. It took no time at all to create an edging with the chain loops, and a belly drape was easy this way, too.

I see what you mean. I really like the fringe on this and may have to steal that idea! ..g.:

YAY!

WRT to bras - you will be spoiled for choice at your size - I would also say go for a formed cup *and* stiffen it. You will want this bra as hard as you can get it because of coins etc. Fabric stiffener is fun and makes quite a difference. I advise using a brush.

sweet, your looping is really pretty!

if you want real coins you can go to Tribal Bazaar Tribal Bazaar Their stuff is awesome, communication is great, i've had nothing but positive experiences and feedback.

as for coins if you can't find any with 2 holes, i believe i've read about girls drilling coins themselves. it's a pain if you have 500 coins to drill, but if you only have 20 or so you could probably do it easily.
now, i don't know if they actually drill through with a drill or with any other method (hammer a nail through?)

wooo go malia! i too want to make my own costume good enough to wear for gigs but that will be down the road seeing as to how i have no time until after christmas :(
sorry to thread hijack, but what bra brand i guess has nice hard cups? would you ladies recommend a hard cup even tho i myself wouldn't be adding coins (just beading) ?

You will be...one of us!

Gooble gobble!!!

Originally Posted by ozma

You will be...one of us!

..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by zfejzic

wooo go malia! i too want to make my own costume good enough to wear for gigs but that will be down the road seeing as to how i have no time until after christmas :(
sorry to thread hijack, but what bra brand i guess has nice hard cups? would you ladies recommend a hard cup even tho i myself wouldn't be adding coins (just beading) ?

You totally should make one! Post it here too and we can keep each other on track

BTW, your cossie is shipping tomorrow!

Also, regarding the stiff bras (for anyone) I used buckram for my previous bras. Is there something better? I did like that it gave my bra a firm shape and retained shape, but it's difficult to get a needle through. After seeing the inside of a bella, I think she may use this too. But I could be wrong...