Thread: Making my own appliques

For my next project I want to do a star costume & I'd like to bead my own star appliques. I've never beaded appliques before so I'm kind of wondering how to do it. Or better yet what to bead onto. Would strong interfacing work. Or felt on interfacing then bead? Thinking of using a combo of seed beads, ones a little larger, bugle beads & sequins.

Ozma makes her own appliques.

Ozma's Costumes | Facebook

When I do appliques, I use either mid-weight iron on interfacing or felt covered with fabric that the base will be covered with. That way, if I miss a spot, it blends with the base.

I also like beading on buckram or is it buckrum?
You can layer it under a color fabric or felt.
It's a very stiff fabric.

I use a heavy weight interfacing and canvas, then apply my fashion fabric over that and bead.

~Kaylin

I've made many of my own appliques too. It's not hard, just takes a long time. I've used denim, felt, upholstery fabric in various combinations. It depends on how stiff you need it. If it's going on a bedlah (firm backing) it doesn't need to be too stiff but if it's expected to hold up on its own (say, on a head or arm band) then make it thicker. I always cover the base with pretty fabric and then sew on a backing or lining when I'm done making it.

This site is full of resources, click on "sequin applications" on the left.

Nadya's sewing hints for belly dance / oriental dance costumes;

Qamar

thanks everyone going to check out the links mentioned.

My most recent project I beaded onto felt, trimmed to size. It was very forgiving to work with, and easily available in the colour I needed, but I'm not sure how well it holds up when sewn to the costume. For a relatively light sequin applique it's fine, but if I was doing anything heavier I'd probably go buy some buckram.

these will go onto a bra & belt i'm thinking of using midweight interfacing, felt on top, covered with the fabric i'll use on the bra & belt. does that sound to thick? these will be all beads acyrlic gems, seed beads, bugel beads, etc.