Thread: Costume Material

Aside from velvet (which I cant find in the color I need), what other various fabrics have ya'll used to make a costume that requires heavy beading? Would cotton be okay to use? I know it will be difficult since it's not stretchy but it's a chance Im willing to take.

I hear tell that thicker good-quality lycra is good, too (but I'm no seamstress by any stretch of the imagination:))

Interesting my beads are silver so I MIGHT could find some gray lycra like material :)

Just from my own horrible experience, stay away from lame. It's not worth the headache. I have seen some really nice silvery velvet recently. It wasn't at Jo Ann's. Maybe Fabric Depot?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm Hancocks and Joann's here, ALTHOUGH we do have a specialty store for mardi gras. I know they have tons of satins but i dunno bout velvets...

Is this going to be backed with something or will you sew directly onto this fabric with nothing underneath (like for a fitted skirt)?

Im attempting to do just silver beaded a bra and belt.

I cant find one that I absolutely love online (mainly because I like the vintage look) so since I got lots of spare time on my hands and no deadline in the horizon, I would just do it myself. Big undertaking I know...

If you are going to cover the entire surface with beads and sequins, then you only need some neutral colored heavy cotton to cover the base before embellishing. If you want the fabric to show through, then you could cover the base with heavy cotton and then add any decorative fabric like a silver brocade or a metallic or holographic lycra.

Good online sources are Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric and Welcome to Spandex House Inc. Spandex House, One of the Largest Spandex Collection of The World.. They have velvets, laces, spandex, lames.

Souzan

Originally Posted by goodintentions82

Im attempting to do just silver beaded a bra and belt.

I cant find one that I absolutely love online (mainly because I like the vintage look) so since I got lots of spare time on my hands and no deadline in the horizon, I would just do it myself. Big undertaking I know...

It's easier to use stretch fabrics, particularly on the bra, but it isn't required. I second Adeylah's suggestion to stay away from Lame. It is a pain in the butt. Otherwise, let your imagination run wild. You can layer a sheer on top of a solid, or a lace on top of a solid. It's a little more difficult to work with two fabrics than one, but if you take your time and pin everything in place first, you'll be fine.

I third the lame warning and add that brocades (and any fabrics that have a pattern in the weave) are a pain to bead bc little threads keep pulling out). Similarly, lycras that have a foil/plastic motif stamped or ironed on can be difficult (though not impossible) to deal with, due to the needle sticking to the plastic. It is doable but you don't have a lot of error margin.

Satin might work, however don't waste money on heavy satin if you're going to bead it all. Get the cheap stuff and use ultra fine needles to bead.

Velvet is by far the most forgiving fabric, but since you can't find it in your color here's what I would do bc I hate beading satin:

-cover the bra in cotton.

-Use a crochet and some silver yarns and crochet some silver "acrage" directly on the bra.
-bead it like crazy

The space between the beads would be full on metallic due to the yarn, the bead-ability wouldn't be compromised and the crochet add texture.

I love these websites!!! Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by kemintiri

-cover the bra in cotton.

-Use a crochet and some silver yarns and crochet some silver "acrage" directly on the bra.
-bead it like crazy

The space between the beads would be full on metallic due to the yarn, the bead-ability wouldn't be compromised and the crochet add texture.

This sounds so interesting. Do you have a pic to share?