Thread: Closing cover-ups

I have two coat-style coverups with many, many, many of these little knot-style buttons and fabrics loops down the front. Fiddling with every single of these little buttons every time I need to open and close the cover-up is not something I am made for ;-) So, I am looking for an alternative method, and snaps seem very desirable, I have found a place that sells colored sz. 16 snaps - Standard Snap Color Chart and Quick Order . Any experiences and advice pro/con?

Use snap tape or large snaps. I used snap tape on mine, but I find the small snaps open too easily, so my next cover up will probably have a few large snaps on it rather than a lot of little ones

My daughter owner Bedlah Peels (she makes belly dance cover ups for dancers), she uses large vintage buttons or frogs, both easy open.
I guess the concern with snaps would be the kind of fabric it is used on. If the fabric is heavy and more durable those would be good. If it were lighter or maybe silk I think it would need to be reinforced with a backing, even grossgrain ribbon so as not to, over time, put to much stress on the fabric with opening and closing and causing a tear.

Originally Posted by faaria

My daughter owner Bedlah Peels (she makes belly dance cover ups for dancers), she uses large vintage buttons or frogs, both easy open.
I guess the concern with snaps would be the kind of fabric it is used on. If the fabric is heavy and more durable those would be good. If it were lighter or maybe silk I think it would need to be reinforced with a backing, even grossgrain ribbon so as not to, over time, put to much stress on the fabric with opening and closing and causing a tear.

That's true, different materials will have different needs.

My cover up is a rayon abaya, very sturdy.

Light weight coat zipper. Whip stitch it in under the buttons to maintain the look, but have the ease of having a zipper. . .

{{{{HUGS}}}

I like the idea of snaps purely for the ability they might give you to rip the cover apart, Chippendale style. VOILA!

I replaced mine with a heavy-duty zipper that goes all the way down to the knees. LUV it!

You could also use hooks and eyes; most Highland dancers use them to close their waistcoats or jackets and they work great on a garment that does some moving around. The heavier-duty ones are nicer than the little ones you're used to seeing on pants and skirts and will hold up better. Just sew them so they're well to the inside, so they're not visible from the outside.

I added velcro tape to one of mine, works well for me. I added a strip of ribbon to one side so the velcro isn't visible. When I rip the velcro open it sounds like I'm causing an expensive repair. I am careful when wearing LRose items, other velvets or anything with a nap but it's fast, easy and inexpensive.