Thread: need costume design help

I am working on my coin costume again..and am trying to decide on what type of center piece to use on the bra. I have a couple more craft stores I am heading out to..but today couldnt find much..so I ended up w/ a pearl necklace from Target and a shell necklace from World market...I (think) I want some chain draping and attach some more coins and do some pearl danglies w/ a couple gold beads, ect..and mix them in....does this sound weird? I can't really picture it.

the necklace came with a focal point originally I thought I could put in the bra center..but I am not sure it will look right.

originally I was going to use a kuchi pendant..but I dont like the silver ones I have and I thought gold/brass would look better w/ this fabric...

any advice?

I prefer the shell necklace for the centrepiece. I think its size in more in proportion with the rest of the bra than the pearl alternative, and the shell, to my mind, suits the rich, earthy aesthetic of the brocade and coins better than do the pearls.

Both the pearl pieces look a little odd with the coins. The coins look like real coins so kinda earthy. It doesn't really come together.

The flower shaped piece looks the better of the two. Personally I'd keep looking for something else more earthy/tribally.

Originally Posted by catwomyn

Both the pearl pieces look a little odd with the coins. The coins look like real coins so kinda earthy. It doesn't really come together.

The flower shaped piece looks the better of the two. Personally I'd keep looking for something else more earthy/tribally.

Same here.

i also like the shells, so long as the coins won't knock into the shells and chip/break them

I agree with the others. Something seems incongruous about using real coins with pearls. I sort of feel like pearls might go with bright, shiny, new coins better than older-looking coins with a patina. Or perhaps the older-looking coins would go better with a natural material that was more ethnic and casual, such as cowrie shells. (Most craft stores sell bags of shells.)

Of the two pieces you show, the second flower piece strikes me as a better match. Even though it is a less formal piece than the first one, it still looks like it is slumming with all those old coins. I know you said you didn't want to use a kuchi piece--where else have you tried looking for a different metal center accent? Sometimes boutiques that sell funky, ethnic jewelry have large metal pendants. Another less conventional option might be to visit the hardware store and see if you could turn up something unexpected there. If you can find a piece you like but it isn't the right color, you can always spray paint, antique, or otherwise distress the finish to make it match better. I know it sounds crazy, but a backplate for a drawer pull or even an arrangement of washers might work. If you have enough coins, you could always wire a group of them into a rosette and use that for a centerpiece on the bra.

If you want to stay with the pearls+coins look, I think it would look better if the two elements were integrated more thoroughly. (For example, edge the coin "zones" with pearls.) Regardless of what you decide, you don't want it to look like a coin bra with a random piece of jewelry stuck on the front.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Regardless of what you decide, you don't want it to look like a coin bra with a random piece of jewelry stuck on the front.

Thanks everyone. I definitely don't want it to look like that! LOL

I was going for a more vintagy look...I would prefer some other metal or filligree type thing...I just haven't found anything yet. I will keep looking.

I didn't plan to use all the pearls....but was just going to use some to accent . A friend suggested adding them directly between the chainlinks...

maybe different smaller, pearls would be better, button or rice ones...

I will keep thinking..

I am not a tribal dancer and am trying to do something a bit different.

**I appreciate everyone's input!!

For a filigree-type-thing, this will sound weird, but check your local craft store in the Memory Book section. Vintage is in right now, and they have thin brass rosettes and Victorian lockplates, and bits and baubly things to apply to your album or pages. You'd be surprised what you can find, then attach a few bead dangles to to finish it off.

Also, look for those ornate (but not pricey) slide bracelets in the clearance section in Department stores. And metal belts. You can take them apart and use the components to build new ones.

I am going to go to a better bead store tomorrow and try and find something...I found two pics of kind of what I envisioned....maybe I am just nuts...but I think coins would look cute on this first one

**maybe I should just stick to gold coins....and not mix them

Originally Posted by clovis

For a filigree-type-thing, this will sound weird, but check your local craft store in the Memory Book section. Vintage is in right now, and they have thin brass rosettes and Victorian lockplates, and bits and baubly things to apply to your album or pages. You'd be surprised what you can find, then attach a few bead dangles to to finish it off.

Also, look for those ornate (but not pricey) slide bracelets in the clearance section in Department stores. And metal belts. You can take them apart and use the components to build new ones.

I didnt think to look by the memory books...thanks!

I'd see about checking out Clovis's etsy and seeing if there is something you like or would like modified in a special order as a center decoration...you'd get the coin feel but it would be unique.

You can't see it, but I'm blushing, Ozma. Where the camel camel-moticons at?

I just today finished up my new website, too--it's flash, so the gallery can be slow, but there's a sampling of both Tribal and classic in there. Mods, if this is inappropriate here, I'll be happy to remove it:

Here are two past custom pieces that are less tribal and might give you an idea for assembling something. Those are the hamsa pennies in a bellydrape centerpiece, just cut out.

You could try mixing some "mother of pearl" type shell bead in with the coins. I think that would look nice. Shell Beads and Components - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads





You might also want to try the Flea Market at the Fairgrounds. Check out the places that sell vintage jewelry. There is a ton of awesome stuff there. Take the kids and make a day of it.

Originally Posted by clovis

You can't see it, but I'm blushing, Ozma. Where the camel camel-moticons at?

I just today finished up my new website, too--it's flash, so the gallery can be slow, but there's a sampling of both Tribal and classic in there. Mods, if this is inappropriate here, I'll be happy to remove it:

Here are two past custom pieces that are less tribal and might give you an idea for assembling something. Those are the hamsa pennies in a bellydrape centerpiece, just cut out.

No problem. I think a Hand of Fatima with either chain loops or dangles...or something with a greenish patina, would look killer in the center. (and then maybe as a matching center on the back of the belt, or smaller as hip accents)

And I keep you in mind because someday I'll need something from you, Clovis. I just don't have the right project yet.

The pearls with coins can be done. The secret is to "blend" all of the elements!

You must mix the metal chain with the pearl and add coins to that.

Also, add pearl elements to the bra/belt base.

Also, I do not think that you need to just stick with gold coins. Mixed is good.

I like the last centerpiece and the idea of adding some mother of pearl elements in similar colours is a good one too. It looks like a long lost under the sea treasure.

I hope you keep them mixed, too, shimmygoddess--I like the gold and silver on that brocade together. Way over on the left (our left) of the photo, you have a coin that's both gold and silver---do you have a couple more of those? They'd make a perfect centerpiece that mixed everything together....

And thanks, Bellissima--that Hamsa star was part of a belly-drape that turned out to be one of the pieces I'm proudest of.

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

I love this one! I'm going to go against the grain here and say I like the pearl medallion with the coins, especially if you are going for a vintage look. The pearls are a nice touch of class. I'm not particularly fond of the shell flower. Can't quite put my finger on why but something just seems "fake" or "cheap" about it. Reminds me of a child's jewelry piece.

I can't wait to see the finished product.

thanks everyone!!

Clovis, yes..I have a bunch more of those mixed coins. I met Audra at the bead store today...and she gave me a bunch of ideas. I ended up buying some filligree pieces and will layer some..(never thought of that)...

thanks for all the tips...I am going to end up returning both those necklaces..and just buying a couple strands of pearls...

Andalee..the MOther of pearl is really pretty too...

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

thanks everyone!!

Clovis, yes..I have a bunch more of those mixed coins. I met Audra at the bead store today...and she gave me a bunch of ideas. I ended up buying some filligree pieces and will layer some..(never thought of that)...

thanks for all the tips...I am going to end up returning both those necklaces..and just buying a couple strands of pearls...

Andalee..the MOther of pearl is really pretty too...

Which store did you go to? If I ever get around to finishing my pearl costume, I'll have loads of extra pearls!

"Clovis, yes..I have a bunch more of those mixed coins."

Ooooh, yay. Those will be perfect to tie the whole thing together. I can't wait to see what you do.

Dont forget the mirrors!

Come over on Friday and we can have sewing day. I will work on my copper coin or the turkish style dark orange.

Originally Posted by auraevans

Dont forget the mirrors!

Come over on Friday and we can have sewing day. I will work on my copper coin or the turkish style dark orange.

I will stop at the craft store tomorrow for the mirrors....when I layed all the stuff out....was wondering if I need to do the filagree design on the back of the belt too?? I think I will get some more of the biggest one they had...and do a couple on the belt..it looked to empty w/ only one..

I am going to order the pearls online..

Friday sounds like fun!!

okay..so I ended up returning those necklaces..and am buying some stuff from fire mountain..just waiting for it...in the meantime I started sewing some coins on the bra..and back of the belt...
so keep in mind this is my "first" costume....anyway..i had some concerns I *ucked up the belt ..but thought it would be okay....now that there are coins on it..it is heavy(there are about 50 on the back so far)..that it seems to droop in the back...therefore exposing the skirt....so I am looking at it, and I think I cut the back piece on too much of a curve on the top...the front piece is a bit straighter..and the back is more of an arc on the top...and is a bit longer....so it looks a bit wonky now....here is a pic..I know it is hard to tell....the left side is the front piece..

help! should I start over?



**this picture was taken a couple weeks ago....those coins are not sewed on...I just put them on top to see what it would look like

here is the link for the bra so far
electric shimmy: Coin costume update....

it would be good to see the costume on you to see the fit or where it droops, but keep in mind real coin belts are seriously heavy. Is it hooked tight enough around your hips?

I think the colors (fabric and mixed metal coins look really beautiful) by the way!

You might have to take a few coins off to fix the fitting issue. Depending on how much of a problem you are having, you could try adding darts to change the shape of the belt or sewing a wire onto the top edge so you can "mold" the belt to your body. If the issue is that the fabric is not stable enough to hold the weight of the coins, you can add more body to it by sewing in some buckram or heavy interfacing. If the problem is too serious to fix with those methods, and you have enough materials, another option would be to split the belt into two pieces, salvaging the front and making a new back. A lot of dancers prefer two-piece belts because they are more flexible for sizing anyway.

i haven't sewn the hooks on yet...but I can try to pin it later and take a pic....it feels pretty sturdy...and has buckram inside already with a canvas type layer....

I've always preferred a belt that has dartage across the back, even for designs with much lighter weight "trim". A darted back portion of the belt conforms to one's backside giving a much better fit and appearance, and helps to keep the belt from slipping down (for most people) or drooping. I've found that having four darts along the back (two on each side spaced out from center starting just outside the dimples-of-venus) tends to create that curved look to the back of the belt even on an originally strait design.