Thread: Tackling the coin set

I've read and re-read loads of threads here over the last few months about coin and mirror/bell sets and the maintenance, upkeep, and engineering feats required to mount them. I have sewing skills, pliers, supplies, and I'm not afraid to deconstruct a set or a bra. I think I'm ready to tackle this.

So my only real questions are:

When stiffening the bra cups, has anyone actually used needlepoint plastic with good results? How did you do it?

This may just be personal preference, but of the two, which are preferred, the Dahlal sets or the Mid East Mfg ones?

If you don't mount the entire belt, but just the large medalians at the top, do the dangling ones below snag skirts?

Seems like I had more questions but that's all I've got for now.

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

If you don't mount the entire belt, but just the large medalians at the top, do the dangling ones below snag skirts?

I love my coins, and have worn them mounted and unmounted, over many different skirts and scarves. I have never had any snagging on skirts. I would be a wee bit worried about thin chiffon, but silk, cotton and satin have been fine.

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

This may just be personal preference, but of the two, which are preferred, the Dahlal sets or the Mid East Mfg ones?

Unless I'm mistaken, the ones Dahlal sells as 'ancient reflections' are made by Mid East Mfg. Does that help?

I was thinking the same thing you were Lauren, that the sets come from the same place.

I have never had any problems with the belts snagging my skirts that I have noticed. If you are worried, you can always coat the jump rings (the most likely pieces to snag the skirt) with nail polish.

Of course, I tend to change out all the jump rings with split rings over time.

{{{HUGS}}}

you might want to solder the split rings closed to avoid shedding

I'm planning to replace all the jump rings with split rings from the start, to save myself time and headache later. A monumental task, but that seems to be the primary complaint with these sets. Good to know it's the same set just sold by two businesses. Dahlal's discount this month makes it all the more more attractive to buy from them.

Btw, Tahira, was it you who said shed glued rhinestones to her coin set? Curious what size was used and how it looks if you'd share a pic. I'm thinking of doing that or sewing crystals to the base between rows/coins/mirrors

Yes, I glued rhinestones on. I think I got the idea from Shira who suggested somewhere along the way to do it with mirrors. Size was about the size of a dime. I had a bag of glue on crystals laying around. Used those. Will have to check. A lot of my costume renovation work is based on a plan with room for serendipitous moments.

I'll take photos next time I am at my storage space.

{{{HUGS}}}

I wear my belts unmounted. I usually put a hip scarf underneath as somewhere there are sharp points that will snag the fabric.

I used Aleene's fabric stiffener for the bra cups.I know someone who used to make bras for coin costumes and he would use thick canvas. Not an endeavor I plan on undertaking anytime soon.

I've glued on mirrors. No problem with falling off, but I have gotten some cracks in the mirrors (b/c they are sitting kinda suspended on the medallions), nothing horrible, but worth mentioning. I used serious glue, if I were to do it again I would probably sweat the choice of glue a bit less and just go straight to E6000.

I've got canvas and heavy interfacing I'm planning to use on the bra. Got enough grosgrain ribbon today for sturdy sides, over the shoulder & neck straps.

I'd just seen the needlepoint plastic mentioned here & there in my reading and wondered if anyone had actually tried it yet.

I guess the only thing I really need to decide now is coin or mirror/bell ..l;, Already know I want gold, just not sure which style (I like both). ..g.:

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

I'm planning to replace all the jump rings with split rings from the start, to save myself time and headache later. A monumental task, but that seems to be the primary complaint with these sets. Good to know it's the same set just sold by two businesses. Dahlal's discount this month makes it all the more more attractive to buy from them.

Btw, Tahira, was it you who said shed glued rhinestones to her coin set? Curious what size was used and how it looks if you'd share a pic. I'm thinking of doing that or sewing crystals to the base between rows/coins/mirrors

How much do they sell theirs for and how much do they charge for shipping?

Originally Posted by lylagus

How much do they sell theirs for and how much do they charge for shipping?

Dahlal is reg. $284.25 - 25% customer appreciation discount + $19.95 shipping = $233.15. Which is less than MEM's before shipping ($300-something)

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

Dahlal is reg. $284.25 - 25% customer appreciation discount + $19.95 shipping = $233.15. Which is less than MEM's before shipping ($300-something)

are you going mirrors or just the brass?

Originally Posted by lylagus

are you going mirrors or just the brass?

Dunno. I like both, but trying to figure what Id be doing to each in terms of blinging up or adding to. I do know I'm going with brass/gold color. The mirror one would be shiny and I could add coins to it. The coin set I could glue AB stones to where mirrors would be and add coins. Already priced pre-drilled coins at costless.

Edit: guess I'm leaning toward mirror, if I'm going to make a coin set have sparkly/reflective bits like the mirror set might as well save a step (?)

I submitted my size so now I just have to wait and see if they have it in stock......I think i'm leaning towards the mirrored set : )

I finally have a Dahlal account......I didn't want to register without a reason.

I figure if I survive bra making without pulling out too much hair and the set wears well then I may consider a silver coin set also.

Have you found any antiqued silver sets? I can't do the bright silver but can wear the gray silver.....I LOVE silver and wish it loved me a bit more.

Initially I looked at the silver sets, but thought a gold colored one would 'look' more cab to the GP around here, so I switched.

If you like both you could mix coins or sprinkle brighter ones in with an antiqued set.

Edit: just ordered the gold mirror set, woohoo! Got the 40" belt so I can Take the extra medallians and use them elsewhere, lol. With discount and shipped mine was $233.59. Got a Walmart bra (Anala!) during lunch to start the construction process.

Mine is back ordered but hopefully it won't be an endless wait. Please post pictures so I can drool!!!!

Originally Posted by lylagus

Mine is back ordered but hopefully it won't be an endless wait. Please post pictures so I can drool!!!!

Will do. I'm going to try and photo the construction process since there are several threads asking "how to".

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

Initially I looked at the silver sets, but thought a gold colored one would 'look' more cab to the GP around here, so I switched.

If you like both you could mix coins or sprinkle brighter ones in with an antiqued set.

Edit: just ordered the gold mirror set, woohoo! Got the 40" belt so I can Take the extra medallians and use them elsewhere, lol. With discount and shipped mine was $233.59. Got a Walmart bra (Anala!) during lunch to start the construction process.

Trust me, you will get more. Coin costumes are addictive!

{{{HUG}}}

The wonderful customer response lady steered me towards the 36" belt because it would be more like a 38" which is what I need. Should I get the 40" I have a 38" upper hip...how flexible are these if you gain or lose weight?

Id say depends if your weight fluctuates a little or a lot. more than a little I personaly would go bigger and just remove a medallion if needed. But someone who actually has a set would be better to answer than me right now since I don't even have mine yet.

The other issue is that you can mount them in two pieces which gives you some flexibility.

I'll get mine from storage tomorrow and post photos. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I have never had any problems with the belts snagging my skirts that I have noticed. If you are worried, you can always coat the jump rings (the most likely pieces to snag the skirt) with nail polish.

Of course, I tend to change out all the jump rings with split rings over time.

{{{HUGS}}}

What gauge/size split rings do you recommend? Mine is coming next week sometime ..g.: and i wanted to find some sturdy split rings to use.

Raw brass split rings 12mm by Christmastree on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title
?

how many to buy?

RE: Split rings

Since I have a replace as needed attitude, I started with one bag which I think was somewhere between 30 and 50. I think Steffi actually sat down one night and replaced ALL of her rings, so she might have a better idea. I think I used either 10 or 12 MM rings, although I think 12 would be too big. My source was the garment district here in LA. I am lucky that way. I do know Michaels and Hobby Lobby also carry them.

Just a warning: expect to break a few nails.

{{{HUGS}}}

Hehe, no, I have split ring phobia ;-) I like heavy jump rings, the thickness used by CostLess is very reliable.

One advantage of the flimsy jump rings is that one can fix things without tools. At Rakkasah backstage, when I wore a recently purchased, non-updated coin set, somebody noticed a dangling piece <PANIC!!!> Pat of Pangia impressed me to no end with nimble and strong musician fingers: He reattached the coin swag and saved this damsel in distress by fixing my belt in no time!

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

When stiffening the bra cups, has anyone actually used needlepoint plastic with good results? How did you do it?

Yup. I made a paper pattern from the cups, cut the pieces out of needlepoint canvas. I stitched them to the inside of the cups.

I also use needlepoint canvas along the upper front edges to reinforce bras. I'll get some pics this weekend of the inside & out.

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

This may just be personal preference, but of the two, which are preferred, the Dahlal sets or the Mid East Mfg ones?

I got mine off Ebay. No clue who made it. I got the bright gold. It's several years old and in places the gold color is vanishing.

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

If you don't mount the entire belt, but just the large medalians at the top, do the dangling ones below snag skirts?

They can. Something like a soft chiffon or slinky satin will snag. You can always wrap a scarf around your hips, then put the belt on over that.