Thread: Old Appliques That Get Droopy

I have a couple of costumes that have appliques that come up over the bra and due to age they have gotten a bit floppy/droopy. Any suggestions for making them come back to life and stand up?

I am not sure if Aleene's Stiff Stuff or Stiffy would work or the iron on base. Thought I would try here first.

i've read that the whip-stitching of floral wire method helps keep shaping issues in check... it's discussed on the what are you working on, september thread if you want to check it out.

maybe it'll work well for appliques, too!

Wow...appliques, sounds so much better than boobs.

Seriously, I would carefully remove them and use some upholstry thread to reinforce the saging beads that compise the major pattern and then paint stiff stuff on the back with a paint brush. May be more than once.

Originally Posted by anala

Wow...appliques, sounds so much better than boobs.

BWAHAHAHAHA that's exactly what I first thought when I saw the thread title. Great minds think alike....I think ,r:;..l;,

Now I am laughing at the title.

Thanks, guys!

Originally Posted by anala

Wow...appliques, sounds so much better than boobs.

Anala, one day soon I'll be headed back to New Mexico, and we're gonna hang out.

You could also try ironing interfacing onto the back of the appliques, if heat wouldn't damage them.

If you're going ot use the Stiif Stuff, make sure it hardens into a shape you like *G*

You could also use fabric glue, it stays flexible, but be warned that it strongly smells like vinegar while it dries.

What about that plastic grid stuff sewn to the back? I find that appliques with wire can bend in unflattering shapes at times, especially at the hipline. Buchram works well, as I've used that to stiffen a naughty belt medallion that kept bending and pointing outward. Buchram is easy to cut and sew through.

Plastic canvas, NOW I remember (foreheadsmack)!

Personally, I steam them loose, then glue them back on with "hard as nails" glue.

Hi, If the Apps are sewn on to the cossie my best advice is to loosen them a bit where they attach to the bra, find some thin felt the same or similar color, use Alene's "ok to wash it". Paint the glue onto the appliques then press the felt (you may have to cut it to fit an arch, but just cut it to fit) onto the glued area and let dry overnite. next day go back and CAREFULLY cut the felt away from the edges and re-sew where you loosened it. Then whip stitch the edges so nothing comes loose. The appliques will never droop again.
for those of you hand making costumes w/ appliques or adding them to cossies follow the same instruction but you will have the apps that are not attached and can stabblized the entire thing BEFORE you put them on a cossie. ALL of the cossies I made w/ appliques had this treatment done to them, They will out live the costume.
I hope this helps
Andrea

PS NEVER IRON APPLIQUES EVER!!!! Nail glue or "crazy glue" will fog the beads, sequins, and rhinestones making them dull and lifeless, If you MUST glue stones on to anything try using E6000. Dries clear and stays flexible and won't cloud the surface.
Andrea

Snip them off (if possible) and sew them to some stiff stuff, then line the back of them (for easy removal in the future) and sew back on. If you want a little extra help use the spray fixative to place the applique and then sew the edges to prevent any slippage or peeling.

hey Mahsima...it is green chili roasting time in New Mexico...ahh..the smell! 'Member?

Lots of advice. Now to work! Thanks!