Thread: Bra & belt base for Ancient Reflections

I bought one of those coin/mirror/medallion sets like Ancient Reflections on Dahlal and I want to put it on a base. What should I use? Since it's a heavy set I want to make sure that the base can handle it.

The Costless costume I bought was done with heavy satin over denim. The one which I bought - Middle East Manufacturers - I used heavy upholstery fabric. It has a great strip to it and looks awesome!

The bra I am using is just a solid hard cup bra. I did replace the straps.

{{{HUGS}}}

I also have a costless set, and I used several layers of canvas stitched together (3 or 4 I believe) and covered with stretch velvet and backed with a soft cotton knit. I also used a hard cup bra (from Walmart) and replaced the straps.

Walmart bra in one size too big for street wear as they tend to loose a bit of size as you sew the cover on to them if the covering fabric is non stretch. I covered mine with an antiqued gold silk upholstery fabric from Joann's.

what about the cups from sugar petals?

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

what about the cups from sugar petals?

Are those very hard, almost plastic like? I'm looking for hard cups to incorporate into a bra for this very same reason. Sarah Skinner had that same 'Ancient Reflections' set from Dahlal for a few dollars cheaper, and I've had my eye on it for awhile now.

My Ancient Reflections like set is lighter than my real coin set. I mounted the belt on webbed strapping, the stuff that's used for handles on duffel and tote bags. Right now, the bra cover is on a choli with a bra sewn underneath. In other words, the choli is sandwiched in between the cover and an ordinary, sturdy bra.

My real coin bra cover is about 25 years old and on the second bra base. I don't remember what I used for the first bra base, but I was a much smaller cup size then. Now it's on an ordinary bra reinforced with denim and wire.

I plan to re mount it on a bra reinforced with plastic needlepoint canvass. I heard a trick I want to try - putting the plastic canvas on the outside of the cups, then covering them with denim then covering that with fabric. It sounds like a lot of steps but I hope it will provide the structure I need without shrinking the cups.

I'm also interested in those Sugar Petals cups -- if they are the hard, almost plastic like cups I'll try them instead.

When making the belt base from denim, webbing, or whatever, doesn't it need to be curved to conform to our roundness? I don't want to have it gapping at the top. That's what worries me, that I need to cut the fabric in weird ways and that I'll screw it up. If I get the coin set, I may just post asking if any of you will make and sell me one. Or is there some place that already makes plain belt bases?

Originally Posted by Darbla

When making the belt base from denim, webbing, or whatever, doesn't it need to be curved to conform to our roundness? I don't want to have it gapping at the top. That's what worries me, that I need to cut the fabric in weird ways and that I'll screw it up. If I get the coin set, I may just post asking if any of you will make and sell me one. Or is there some place that already makes plain belt bases?

I made mine narrow and to only go under the main set of medallions. I also made it in two pieces so that it could be angled. No need for curve!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I made mine narrow and to only go under the main set of medallions. I also made it in two pieces so that it could be angled. No need for curve!

{{{HUGS}}}

Good idea on making it narrow. I'm not quite getting the angling though. ..c::

Thank you so much, because that might be exactly what I need. I was already concerned it was going to cover up a lot of my skirt, but going narrow would solve that.

have you ever seen / worn a Turkish style 2 piece belt? When you set the hooks, you angle the back piece over your hips so that when attached at the closed side, it forms a curve? Same idea. You do have to take the coin belt apart at the sides and then reassemble, but this is neither hard or time consuming!

If you need some photos, LMK. It may take a day or so, but I can put basic instructions together for you.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I made mine narrow and to only go under the main set of medallions. I also made it in two pieces so that it could be angled. No need for curve!

{{{HUGS}}}

Yeah the webbing is only about 2" wide. It's narrow enough to fit around my hips without gaping.

my issue is more with the bra base than the belt. If I hold the metal bra over a bra I don't know how it will cover a bra's cups. what if there isn't enough metal bra to cover the costume bra? How do I attach it? Glue it, then sew it? where do you sew it on? the chains? how do you keep it still while working with it? which is why I asked if it needs a hard cup.

I have actually never mounted a bra cover, only bought one pre mounted. But, from what I have observed, and heard from other who have done so, there are a few things to keep in mind when mounting the bra: 1) use safety pins to get started, 2) do not be afraid to take the bra cover apart and adjust, and 3) use heavy thread or dental floss to take into place.

The other thing which I highly suggest is remember that this is the base of a costume. So if the bra cover doesn't fit right, what can you add to it so that, while keeping the integrity of the design, you make it individual while also covering the bra well? On the bra which matches my knock off belt, I am planning on using some of the coins I have added to the belt (I had a couple of hands full of Saroyan coins which I added) a big Kuchi pendent to the center as a belly drape, and a handful of crystals to go with the crystals which I added to the belt.

Now, part of this is also because I mounted the belt and have covered the bra with a stripped brocade upholstery fabric. So it has that triberet kinda feeling to start with.

Hope this helps.

{{{HUGS}}}

how do you keep it still while working with it?

Stuff your knees into the cups while seated! Start at the top to secure things, work to the outside edge of the cups under your pits, the begin to attach the interior stuff. Wall mart strapless ... definetly Wall mart.

Originally Posted by anala

how do you keep it still while working with it?

Or get a tailors ham: Pressing Techniques and Tools

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Darbla

Are those very hard, almost plastic like?

No, felt and nylon based.

Originally Posted by anala

Walmart bra in one size too big for street wear as they tend to loose a bit of size as you sew the cover on to them if the covering fabric is non stretch. I covered mine with an antiqued gold silk upholstery fabric from Joann's.

Anala, do you cut off the side straps and make those yourself? What kind of fabric do you use for the base?

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

my issue is more with the bra base than the belt. If I hold the metal bra over a bra I don't know how it will cover a bra's cups. what if there isn't enough metal bra to cover the costume bra? How do I attach it? Glue it, then sew it? where do you sew it on? the chains? how do you keep it still while working with it? which is why I asked if it needs a hard cup.

I sewed my bra cover right to the bra. I stitched through the small holes in the large mirror medallions that line the neck and smaller ones at the side. The chains just drape across the front. But, you could sew through the chain links along the edges, and even sew the chains across the front in place to the bra, if you like.

I sat on the floor, put my knees in the cups and pinned it in place, starting at the top of the cup at the strap.

You will have to tinker with chains in the bra cover. I made some a bit longer, some a bit shorter. Others were a good length, but I moved the connection point. Use a small needle nosed pliers to open and close the chain links. Play with it until it looks the way you want it to look.

Mine worked ok with a soft, molded cup bra and the structured choli.

I covered my bra base in the usual manner for covering a dance bra; did the same with a narrow belt base in black velvet. Then I attached jewellery clasps (like what they use for necklace closures) along the top edges and where needed along the sides of the bra. That way, I can switch out my silver cover for my gold cover.

Originally Posted by Nebula

I covered my bra base in the usual manner for covering a dance bra; did the same with a narrow belt base in black velvet. Then I attached jewellery clasps (like what they use for necklace closures) along the top edges and where needed along the sides of the bra. That way, I can switch out my silver cover for my gold cover.

That's a pretty neat idea. The clasps hold the covers up fine without straining? Does it take a lot to hold them & are they very noticeable? What color clasps do you use if you switch between gold & silver?

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

That's a pretty neat idea. The clasps hold the covers up fine without straining? Does it take a lot to hold them & are they very noticeable? What color clasps do you use if you switch between gold & silver?

I don't think they are very noticeable. If they are, then someone is way to close to 'the girls' and I am not dancing very well. I had a tough time deciding between gold or silver clasps but ended up alternating them. I think I have 3 across the top, one at the base of the strap, 1 at the top edge underarm and 1 at the bottom edge underarm, then some along the back top edge. You would just have to play with the placement that works for you.

Originally Posted by nitewindz

I mounted the belt on webbed strapping, the stuff that's used for handles on duffel and tote bags

Another question: where can this webbing be found? Hardware stores, maybe?

I think I'm going to go ahead and get that coin set from Dahlal since they've got that 25% off sale right now. I can then make multiple colored base bras and webbing belts for different looks. I have been pining for a red costume I found in the swap but the seller has not got back to me, so I could start with red and get that out of my system.

The Sugar Petals cups aren’t hard like plastic. I like them, and they’re not too hard to cover because the cups are made from two pieces, so I can cut 2 pieces of fabric that are the same shapes as the original. Sugar Petals cups have a plastic-texture, and small stitches can rip through the cups if you’re not careful when sewing. I saw that Ozma covered her cups with interfacing before she began decorating, so I stole that idea for myself.

I like beginning with Sugar Petals instead of regular bra because I don’t have to waste time deconstructing. I can just start building.

Originally Posted by Darbla

Another question: where can this webbing be found? Hardware stores, maybe?

I got mine from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

I am currently working on sewing my ancient reflections onto a workhorse bedlah. The bedlah is royal blue with sequence all over. I was almost going to sell but decided to try it as a base. I took all of the fringe off and removed the lining that I will re-attach once I have finished attaching the ancient reflections.

Originally Posted by kamaracini

I am currently working on sewing my ancient reflections onto a workhorse bedlah. The bedlah is royal blue with sequence all over. I was almost going to sell but decided to try it as a base. I took all of the fringe off and removed the lining that I will re-attach once I have finished attaching the ancient reflections.

Ooo. great idea. Please post pics once you're done.

I will post pics when I complete it.

Well this is taking me more time than I though so here is the belt so far. Sorry if the pics are not the best.

more pics of my project