Thread: Adding beading to a Bella Costume

Ok Gals-
Im needing abit of advice. I have a couple of new Bellas that I got off someof you lovely ladies last year and I am wanting to add a bit more fringing and loops to one or 2 of them. Tell me, am I about to commit a mortal sin?.w.:
Bella already does a fantastic job on avery costume I have seen, do you think It is offensive to add to them at all????? Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks ladies!

offensive? you bought it, you paid for it, it's yours... do with it as you like :-)
just dont ruin it :-)

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

offensive? you bought it, you paid for it, it's yours... do with it as you like :-)
just dont ruin it :-)

Certainly not planning on ruining it LOL! One thing I am planning on doing is that on the Red Bella I got from Alimah- I love the beaded arm gauntlets sooooo much that I am going to do something similar to the Purple one that is on Marias website. The pruple on has the top cuff and ther wrist cuff-all that is missing is the elbow cuff (middle part). I am going to use the headband for this part and bead in between. Next task is to find matching beads!!! I will only be using top quality glass beads!! My first real costume project I suppose..l;,

I think it's a good idea, Nicolene! why it did not come to my mind?:) I'm too lazy to do the beading though...

post pictures when you finished with your project! I'm curious:)

Originally Posted by maria_s

I think it's a good idea, Nicolene! why it did not come to my mind?:) I'm too lazy to do the beading though...

post pictures when you finished with your project! I'm curious:)

OHHHH Im glad you saw this Maria I was going to take pics and put them up in the "what are you working on" thread. The challenge is going to be finding the right beads!

Hey Nic-
I make accessories, add to, or tweak costumes all of the time.

I would take great care in precisely matching the beads and style of beading. So if you are partially deconstructing a costume pay very close attention to how it is made and with what materials and use the same to make new parts/pieces. Also if you are adding fringe take care to use the same type and weight of thread for the new fringe so that it drapes and swings the same as the original fringe.

Originally Posted by auraevans

Hey Nic-
I make accessories, add to, or tweak costumes all of the time.

I would take great care in precisely matching the beads and style of beading. So if you are partially deconstructing a costume pay very close attention to how it is made and with what materials and use the same to make new parts/pieces. Also if you are adding fringe take care to use the same type and weight of thread for the new fringe so that it drapes and swings the same as the original fringe.

Thanks for that advice! Good to know! I am taking very special care to match exactly what has already been done on them, especially if I ever re-sell them Id want to take extra care!

Take pictures of everything so you can refer back to them if needed! Good luck!

Originally Posted by monsoondancer

Ok Tell me, am I about to commit a mortal sin?.w.:

Was going to ask this very same question!!!!
I have a teal Bella from Rania that I adore in every way - EXCEPT the arm pieces. It had upper arm bands and wristlets - attached by 3 long beaded strips that dangle below the elbow. I would be so much happier taking off the strips and replacing them with arm drapes (made from the matching chiffon veil).

Is this sacrilegious?
(ducking bolts of lightening .w.:)

Originally Posted by caasious

It had upper arm bands and wristlets - attached by 3 long beaded strips that dangle below the elbow. I would be so much happier taking off the strips and replacing them with arm drapes (made from the matching chiffon veil).

Is this sacrilegious?
(ducking bolts of lightening .w.:)

I always take off the long beaded strips that attach the upper arm and wristlettes. I seriously dislike them! I don't even replace them with beaded or chiffon pieces. Then I can wear just the upper arms if I choose, or just the wristlettes, or both together.

I think it is similar to altering a costume to make it fit you, except instead of physically fitting you, you are altering it to mentally fit you.
I am not an arm drape person, so I quickly removed the chiffon drapes from the Bella I got last summer.
Also, I think the color of the chiffon skirt is off, so in my copious spare time I plan on making a new skirt, too.

i think as long as you remove it just by removing the stitching, not actually cutting into anything, so it's reversible in case you change your mind or sell it, i don't see why you shouldn't make it fit your tastes...

Thanks for all the advice ladies :) I totally agree about making the costume fit me mentally! I adore the beading on my red so I want to do the same on my purple. Cant wait to get started!

Good for you!
Gives me incentive too... ;-)