Thread: how do you hold up your arm bands?

What is your favorite technique for tightening up/securing the upper arm bands of your costumes? You know the ones, the un-stretchy, single hook and eye accessories that come with many full sets. I usually just sew a band of elastic in but I am interested in how you do it.

Toupee tape - just a square on the inside of my arm and one on the outside. I use it on gaunlets too to keep them from sliding down.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Toupee tape - just a square on the inside of my arm and one on the outside. I use it on gaunlets too to keep them from sliding down.

Yup. It's magical stuff. :)

Hmmm... i have used that to keep dresses in place. Hadn't thought of it! Thanks ladies, great idea.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Toupee tape - just a square on the inside of my arm and one on the outside. I use it on gaunlets too to keep them from sliding down.

Oooh, brilliant! Where do you find it?

I've tried using hollywood tape to keep skirts up, but it didn't work - is toupee tape stronger?

I typically do the elastic thing, but is it just me or does anyone else magically shrink once they get onstage? I can practice in stuff at home and be fine, but once I'm onstage, belts and skirts creep down and arm bands love to fall off.

I use this stuff, and it is extremely strong WigWarehouse.com: TopStick by Vapon Hair Tape! If I need a smaller piece I just trim with scissors.

It hurts a little when you have to rip it off at the end of the night, but ti's worth it. It seems totally sweat-proof too!

Sally's carries a couple versions - I believe they have the same type that Galatea linked (it's $6-$7 a box at my local store). You can get it as a roll, too, like other tape. The strips are handy, though.

I have used the Hollywood strips that JoAnn sells (in the notions section) and the toupee tape is stronger. I have used it for keeping various bras, belts, skirts, and armbands in place. Very useful for a slight gapping problem that didn't reveal itself until 5 min. before performance time!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Oooh, brilliant! Where do you find it?

I've tried using hollywood tape to keep skirts up, but it didn't work - is toupee tape stronger?

I just sewed some hair elastics inside my arm bands. Ill let you know how that goes after tonight. Feels really secure in my living room but we all know how that is. So true, 5 minutes before show time my body morphs into a totally different shape than my living room body. Mysterious.

Originally Posted by samiramirage

I just sewed some hair elastics inside my arm bands. Ill let you know how that goes after tonight. Feels really secure in my living room but we all know how that is. So true, 5 minutes before show time my body morphs into a totally different shape than my living room body. Mysterious.

SO true.
I've found dancing around in a costume at home after first adjustments - not a full show, but a good two songs or so- helps me get the arms, bra and belt better. I almost always have to make the back tighter on the bra, and often the skirt elastic as well.
For arm bands, I don't usually have a problem with them staying up. I make them quite snug. Not snug enough for "muffin top" equivalent, but maybe almost. I wear them quite high- where I think there is a spot where my arm is a tiny bit smaller (above the bicep "bulge").

Originally Posted by samiramirage

I just sewed some hair elastics inside my arm bands. Ill let you know how that goes after tonight. Feels really secure in my living room but we all know how that is. So true, 5 minutes before show time my body morphs into a totally different shape than my living room body. Mysterious.

I think this'll be good. I've used toupe tape (I get it from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply: Wardrobe Supplies - Film, TV, Theater in little pre-cut pieces, like bandaids). But plain old rubber bands work well, too.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Sally's carries a couple versions - I believe they have the same type that Galatea linked (it's $6-$7 a box at my local store).

Yep, I get mine at Sally Beauty and with my discount card it's about $5.50 a box. A box lasts me a good two or three months at least.

Hey Lauren, do you just stitch the rubber bands in? I encased mine like criss crossy Bella Elastic...if that makes sense. I seldom wear arm bands but my new pretty that you saw last night demands them.

I use a wide-ish piece of elastic sewn in a loop that fits pretty darn snugly on my arm. if I'm lazy I tack it in two places inside the armband; to do it the right way do the bella-style herringbone stitch. my armbands never slip!

Ah, thank you, I have very small arms and wrists!

I sew in elastic to fit much tighter than is comfortable. I think once you wear it for a bit and especially after you start dancing the heat from your body allows the elastic to stretch more than normal. It have to say the toupe tape sounds like an easier and less circulation-inhibiting solution.

Thanks ladies. I've been saftey pinning mine.

Originally Posted by samiramirage

Hey Lauren, do you just stitch the rubber bands in? I encased mine like criss crossy Bella Elastic...if that makes sense. I seldom wear arm bands but my new pretty that you saw last night demands them.

Oh, for THAT costume I'd sew them to my arms if necessary!!!

Yeah, I find rubber bands that fit securely around my upper arms and just tack them down at two or four spots around. It's not a durable or comfortable fix, but it works (and who said beauty doesn't hurt?)

There's something sticky about rubber bands... like that goo they put on strapless bras and the bottom of little slips to keep things from sliding around? Hey, there's an idea... caulking!!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Oh, for THAT costume I'd sew them to my arms if necessary!!!

Yeah, I find rubber bands that fit securely around my upper arms and just tack them down at two or four spots around. It's not a durable or comfortable fix, but it works (and who said beauty doesn't hurt?)

There's something sticky about rubber bands... like that goo they put on strapless bras and the bottom of little slips to keep things from sliding around? Hey, there's an idea... caulking!!

I have known people to use silicone caulk in the tops of embellished skirts to help keep them up.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I have known people to use silicone caulk in the tops of embellished skirts to help keep them up.

I've done it! It works great. You gave me an idea ladies. I might experiment with caulk and arm bands. Much easier and faster than sewing. My short attention span admires people who can sit and sew carefully and neatly for hours.

The hair rubber bands worked great last night too.

Originally Posted by petitefifidance

Ah, thank you, I have very small arms and wrists!

I had very small arms and wrists at one time . . .

Wrists are still very small, but those arms! It's like they just suddenly appeared one day; sorta like the houseguests from he**, they never have left . . .

Deborah

Originally Posted by samiramirage

I've done it! It works great. You gave me an idea ladies. I might experiment with caulk and arm bands. Much easier and faster than sewing. My short attention span admires people who can sit and sew carefully and neatly for hours.

The hair rubber bands worked great last night too.

LOL, you mean you admire anal retentiveness? I'll post pics of the straps I made for my in-progress costume with the blind stitching then.

ooooh, yes. I admire anal retentiveness! Post the pics!

My nice use to use this roll on glue stuff to keep her Irish dance socks up while she competed. I should find out what it was.

With my powerful, muscular biceps!

Oh, wait.

I'm making my first pair, and I'll let you know. In the past, elastic has held up stretch gauntlets...

My nice use to use this roll on glue stuff to keep her Irish dance socks up while she competed. I should find out what it was.

It is literally called sock glue. It works wonders. You should be able to find it on any irish dance site. Mine always came from antonio pacelli:

Sock Glue - Irish Dance Socks

It Stays is the name of the glue someone here tried out (also found in an Irish step store). It's wonderful stuff and washes off in warm water (body) and so far it's washed off every fabric I washed n the gentle cycle (haven't tried a hand wash fabric yet though).

I use a rubber band and a stretch vintage rhinestone bracelet to cover it: Put the stretch bracelet on first, high up on the arm, then the rubber then the glove. Pull the rubber band up over very top edge of the glove (from the top edge so the band and bracelet don't have a chance to catch on the beadwork, if there is any). Then pull the bracelet over the rubber band to cover it. Looks like a three or four row rhinestone embellishment at the top of edge of each glove.

How about those skinny rubberbands that come on newspapers for emergencies? I use them when my knee-highs fall down. Not suggesting this to be used if you have time to sew in elastic or use toupee tape.

Just my two cents worth (slow day at work today).