Thread: Beaded Dress = Bedlah?

Has anyone ever converted a beaded dress into a bedlah? My mom recently gave me a red dress with a wonderful beaded neckline/top that she thought would make a great bedlah.

She's right. It would. And though I've stood, poised over the garment with shears in hand, I haven't the heart to make the first snip. Would I simply cover a bra like I would with any other fabric?

Is there some other trick? I'd love some advice/tips from someone who has tried it before.

I dont have any advice yet because I just started a project like this myself. Would love some to hear the experience of ladies who have done this before!

With pictures you could get a lot of great advice! :)

What I would do would be to start by loosely sewing the bra you intend to cover into the dress. Put it on and take a digital photo. Then mark with tailor's chalk where you would want to cut. That way you won't be cutting too much and end up short. You can also trim and tuck excess but it is harder to put it back on.

You can also take a digital photo of yourself in the dress and then play with the photo in photoshop to see how it would look as a two piece.

search this forum. There are some great older threads about this somewheres.

Here's a linky to Ozma's blog entry about turning a beaded thrift store find into a bedlah: Buggirl's Increasingly Strange Tokyo Tales... - How a dress became the law (because I RULE!)

I have done this. I wish I would have taken photos along the way! This was the result (I have sold it):

Can I say how many times Ozma has made me laugh out loud.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I have done this. I wish I would have taken photos along the way! This was the result (I have sold it):

Oh good, this was the one I was thinking of. It's great!

The advice part - it depends on the dress. The one I used had fully beaded short sleeves (which became the bra cups) and beading on the upper bodice, front and back, which covered the belt. I used lots of Fray Check to seal off the beading before I cut. The dress itself had a lining material since the beaded part was on transparent silk chiffon. Otherwise the whole process was very similar to other sets I've made.

Kiyaana, that is really nice! Beautiful.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I have done this. I wish I would have taken photos along the way! This was the result (I have sold it):

STUNNING.

Also, fray check is a great idea.... goodness I wish they sold that in bulk.

Thanks! I loved it. I sold it on Bhuz to a dancer in Nevada. Hope it's getting some shimmy action.

Yeah, I stock up on Fray Check when JoAnn has the 50% off notions sale going on.

Originally Posted by _Sarai_

STUNNING.

Also, fray check is a great idea.... goodness I wish they sold that in bulk.

Here are some photos of a costume I made this way. I just sewed a bra in, cut it in half, hemmed it, added appliques and fringe and made a spiraling silk circle skirt on the bottom to make it like a mermaid skirt. I kept the original neckline of the dress, but looking back on it, I could have probably made the neckline more flattering. I did use a lot of fray check when I was cutting the dress apart. I did really like the costume overall when it was finished.

Originally Posted by beki

Here's a linky to Ozma's blog entry about turning a beaded thrift store find into a bedlah: Buggirl's Increasingly Strange Tokyo Tales... - How a dress became the law (because I RULE!)

I was scrolling down and opening a second tab so I could find that link...thanks!

Originally Posted by jetgirl

Can I say how many times Ozma has made me laugh out loud.

Thank you so much.
If you ever get a live journal account I can hook you up with the even less edited Ozma!

I will be doing another one and documenting it (dress thanks to Ezma here on Bhuz) but first I need to finish my peacock costume, make two "cave girl" bedlah and find a hole in time.

Originally Posted by shems

Here are some photos of a costume I made this way. I just sewed a bra in, cut it in half, hemmed it, added appliques and fringe and made a spiraling silk circle skirt on the bottom to make it like a mermaid skirt. I kept the original neckline of the dress, but looking back on it, I could have probably made the neckline more flattering. I did use a lot of fray check when I was cutting the dress apart. I did really like the costume overall when it was finished.

Nice, Shems! Love the pix!

Originally Posted by ozma

Thank you so much.
If you ever get a live journal account I can hook you up with the even less edited Ozma!

Hahaha, I friended you.

Originally Posted by _Sarai_

Hahaha, I friended you.

Me too! What a great post.

I have done this... I painted fabric stiffener on the backs of the beaded parts and cut them out, pretty much rearranged them on the bra and belt that was covered in fabric. I also used one to cover a bra and belt. With that one I cut out parts that worked for the bra and belt and sewed them on.