Thread: sweatproof belt base

Hello,

Does anyone actually do anything to sweatproof their belts? I've read on some sites that some costumiers put beeswax inside the belt to protect the front layer from sweat. This got me thinking bc: 1- sweat does affect some fabrics, 2-I hate the smell of beeswax.

I was thinking a thin layer of glue, the kind that stays supple when dry and that isn't water soluble, then I thought about the silicone spray used to waterproof tents. Once dry it has no discernable odor, it is waterproof and it stay supple. So if one was to spray the middle layer of a belt base with this, the front layer would be protected and if the lining is "detachable", it can simply be tossed in the wash (pre-shrunk fabric of course) and reattached with minimal handsewing.

Does this theory hold water? (if you'll pardon the pun) Or am I overthinking this?

Any input welcome. Thanks,

Kem

Hi Kem, I haven't had a problem with this, though maybe I'm not dancing hard enough, heh, heh, heh. Wearing underclothes made from natural fibers could help and a trick I've used is applying antiperspirant strategically if there is a part of the costume that is a concern. Your idea of a detachable lining is good and there is the good old 50/50 vodka and water solution, sprayed on the costume after wear (and air dried very well, of course) that other dancers here swear by. If I were you I wouldn't put any kind of waterproofing spray or beeswax on a costume---the sprays could weaken the fabric or thread and cause major problems down the line and beeswax would be impossible to remove. Good luck!

I baste a lining layer of felt the same color as the bra & belt onto the back of the belt pieces and into the cups of the bra. The felt absorbs the perspiration. Once it becomes soiled, I remove it and replace it with fresh felt.

Is felt comfy to wear close to your body like that? Seems like it would be itchy and weird...

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Is felt comfy to wear close to your body like that? Seems like it would be itchy and weird...

I find it very comfortable. I've never found it itchy.

I do the same as Shira- It also helps to keep the belt in place.

Hmm... I'll have to experiment. I like the idea of felt but it makes me itch. (Wool makes me itch too, maybe that's why... )

what is felt made of? i'm trying to figure out what it is in chinese.
thanks x

Craft felt is 100% polyester, but wool felt can be found. For dance costumes polyester felt is more common.

Maybe I'll line in velvet for a truly luxurious feel ..g.:

Originally Posted by Moyrah

Craft felt is 100% polyester, but wool felt can be found. For dance costumes polyester felt is more common.

thank you Moyrah... although i still don't know what that is.. .

Velvet is a great idea. I love my topkapki velvet costumes because they do not skimp on velvet and the bras are lined in high quaility velvet.

Originally Posted by wingaki

thank you Moyrah... although i still don't know what that is.. .

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt]Felt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

It's commonly a synthetic made "fiber" with no grain to speak of. It's just pressed together fibers. Felt in the olden days was predominately wool.

Craft Felt Fabric

"Durable, versatile and easy to work with, few other materials are as popular as felt fabric. Felt fabrics are one of a group of non-woven products that are produced by matting and pressing wool or synthetic fibers. Felt material is produced in scores of colors, and since it's widely used as a craft fabric, a base fabric and a backing fabric, you're likely to find black felt, green felt -if not hot pink felt fabric(!) in almost every home.
As with other fabrics, felt fabric is made in different grades, with everything from expensive handmades produced from fine natural wool to cheap, gray market goods that aren't worth placing on a cutting mat ."

A tip I got (a long time ago) was to use a [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Flannel-Waterproof-Crib-Sheet/dp/B002RSY2SO"]flannelized waterproof baby sheet [/ame] as the fabric for the belt form. I did that with one belt; it was quite stiff, but sews easily. I want to third the felt lining idea -- it is not itchy and is easy and cheap to change when necessary.

you fuse felt to your belt base and then cover it with your lining.