Thread: DIY Great Loops

Has anyone here made a great loops type bra/belt set?

First and foremost
how many beads did you order/need and what size- I'm assuing small bugle beads or sead type beads 2 mm or smaller?

How many swags did you wind up using each set (3 sets) for the bra?

Is it worth the trouble or is the general opinon just buy one- good investment type thing?


thanks!

I haven't made a great loop per se but I have made several high end cabaret costumes, specifically very fringey or loopy bedlahs. I prefer to use silver-lined 3mm bugle beads from Japan (faceted if I can find but if not, regular still sparkles plenty). I find that Egyptian and Turkish beads just don't even compare in terms of sparkle. I would say that for 1 bra and belt set (I am a size 8, 36C bra, so you can tell, nothing crazy big or small in size), I use 1/4 kilo of beads. I don't buy on hanks... much cheaper ordering in bulk by the half-kilo. Just use good thread and beeswax... and don't forget to toss any broken beads! Good luck!

I have. Here's a pic of it. I used pre-made swag fringe. I used two meters of it to make this costume.

Originally Posted by Basha

I'm assuing small bugle beads or sead type beads 2 mm or smaller?

I wouldn't use bugle beads. The longer the bead, the more "point-to-point" the swags will look. Short hex beads or hex beads alternated with rounder rocailles should work, though.

Is it worth the trouble or is the general opinon just buy one- good investment type thing?

That depends on a lot of factors. How difficult is it to buy a set in the color and size you want? How much do you like to craft? How precious do you value your time? Do you get easily frustrated?

I've heard that the latest version of the costume is not as good as the earlier incarnations--the quality has gone down. There are dancers buying new sets who aren't disappointed with them, though.

Shahla, that is gorgeous! And the way you constructed that bra is superior and more flattering than the GL for some figures - I, for example, could never wear the Great Loop because its bra cups are too close-set in the center.

-Devora

Originally Posted by shahla

I have. Here's a pic of it. I used pre-made swag fringe. I used two meters of it to make this costume.

Nice i really like that- I'm not 100% sold on the massive chest swags- but i like the general idea of them- so I figured I'd inquire.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I wouldn't use bugle beads. The longer the bead, the more "point-to-point" the swags will look. Short hex beads or hex beads alternated with rounder rocailles should work, though.

okay- thats good- I was thinking I really REALLY didn't want bugles- but it kind of appeared that thats what they were made of- I found some the chezh fire polished ones at FireMountain I really am digging these days- some of them are bicones- was thinking I might try that shape- they are 4mm although I'm not convinced they would be cost effective- they ARE pretty.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

That depends on a lot of factors.
How difficult is it to buy a set in the color and size you want?

don't really know- I haven't been thrilled with the ones I have seen- but I'm pretty standard- 5'8" with a 36C-ish chest
in theory wouldn't be that difficult

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

How much do you like to craft?

very much so

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

How precious do you value your time?

LOL totally depends on the week and how much I work- but I love projects as long as I can get them done!

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Do you get easily frustrated?

yes- but beading straight swags is just time consuming... pretty sure its "Do-Able"

just wasn't sure the trade off time wise/moneywise is worth it compared to the already pre made ones at less thna 400ish a pop (if memory serves me correctly)

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I've heard that the latest version of the costume is not as good as the earlier incarnations--the quality has gone down. There are dancers buying new sets who aren't disappointed with them, though.

interesting- it seems they are kind of a staple in the wardrobe- lots of peope have one they reach for and have had for years... thats why I was kind of kicking around the idea of making one. Plus I'm sort of half employeed and looking for ways to kill time LOL!!!

Thanks for the input ladies- any more DIYers out there in regard to this- would love to see yours and hear your thoughts!

Originally Posted by shahla

I have. Here's a pic of it. I used pre-made swag fringe. I used two meters of it to make this costume.

This is lovely Shahla. Did you also sequin the bra and belt your self??

Originally Posted by gloworm25

This is lovely Shahla. Did you also sequin the bra and belt your self??

Thanks. I made the whole thing from scratch. The only thing I didn't do was make the swag fringe. I purchased that already strung.

Originally Posted by shahla

I have. Here's a pic of it. I used pre-made swag fringe. I used two meters of it to make this costume.

That is absolutely beautiful - love the colour - great work!!!!

I fourth that Shala! Beautiful work and such a unique color!

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Originally Posted by shahla

Thanks. I made the whole thing from scratch. The only thing I didn't do was make the swag fringe. I purchased that already strung.

Actually, I think that's even more impressive, because you matched the color so beautifully! Don't suppose you have a picture of it on a body? I would love to see how it drapes.

http://www.tanz-boutique-boppard.de/...44cef7e01c74b4

This is a site in Germany, they are not that expansive.
And there is a great picture to see for the technique.

Originally Posted by tigerb

Actually, I think that's even more impressive, because you matched the color so beautifully! Don't suppose you have a picture of it on a body? I would love to see how it drapes.

It was weird how the color came together. I bought the fringe here on Bhuz from Valeksah and then got the sequins/beads from Cartwrights and the fabric on Ebay and it all matched really well. Here are a couple of body pics.

Originally Posted by klazina

http://www.tanz-boutique-boppard.de/...44cef7e01c74b4

This is a site in Germany, they are not that expansive.
And there is a great picture to see for the technique.

Love the items on the link but can anyone advise how to access the site in English? I cannot determine if that is an option. I love the idea of purchased looped fringe. Of course shipping could prove to be an issue but I can only hope.

Shahla - This is my favorite cossie by you! I love the color and style of it so much.

Did you find the Cartwright seed beads and bugles to be uniform? I'm getting frustrated with the Joann Fabric bulk gold bugle beads because the holes/lengths all seem a little different and some are broken and unusable. The seed beads seem a little better. I've been searching online for a better source and Cartwrights seems the most economical for me right now.

Originally Posted by lylagus

Shahla - This is my favorite cossie by you! I love the color and style of it so much.

Did you find the Cartwright seed beads and bugles to be uniform? I'm getting frustrated with the Joann Fabric bulk gold bugle beads because the holes/lengths all seem a little different and some are broken and unusable. The seed beads seem a little better. I've been searching online for a better source and Cartwrights seems the most economical for me right now.

I would say they are better than what you can get at Joann's. The jewelry quality beads are best, but they're so expensive.

Originally Posted by lylagus

Shahla - This is my favorite cossie by you! I love the color and style of it so much.

Did you find the Cartwright seed beads and bugles to be uniform? I'm getting frustrated with the Joann Fabric bulk gold bugle beads because the holes/lengths all seem a little different and some are broken and unusable. The seed beads seem a little better. I've been searching online for a better source and Cartwrights seems the most economical for me right now.

have you tried firemountain or shipwreck?

I mostly use firemountain- I <3 their stuff LOL

Love that on you- it looks wonderful!

Originally Posted by showtime

Love the items on the link but can anyone advise how to access the site in English? I cannot determine if that is an option. I love the idea of purchased looped fringe. Of course shipping could prove to be an issue but I can only hope.

If you use the Google Chrome internet browser, it should automatically detect that it is a different language and there will be a box at the top of the screen that asks you if you want Google to translate the page for you. It works pretty well!

Originally Posted by shahla

It was weird how the color came together. I bought the fringe here on Bhuz from Valeksah and then got the sequins/beads from Cartwrights and the fabric on Ebay and it all matched really well. Here are a couple of body pics.

You look so beautiful. I love that costume and wish we were similar sizes. ;)

I'll check them out...Thanks

Originally Posted by Basha

have you tried firemountain or shipwreck?

I mostly use firemountain- I <3 their stuff LOL

Love that on you- it looks wonderful!

Got a 25$ gift card for fire mountain- and I ordered a half kilo of silver size 11's

... yeah me!!!!

can't wait for them to get here and I can sit and stare at them while I finish this one- thinking I"m going to go with my burgendy/silver accented fabric and make a GL type set up.

:D

Wowie Shahla,

It looks even better in the body pics. I'm green with envy.
Maybe you could do a tutorial

Originally Posted by Basha

Got a 25$ gift card for fire mountain- and I ordered a half kilo of silver size 11's

... yeah me!!!!

can't wait for them to get here and I can sit and stare at them while I finish this one- thinking I"m going to go with my burgendy/silver accented fabric and make a GL type set up.

:D

You look terrific, Shahla!

May I ask what fabric you used for the skirt?

Originally Posted by Ndi-mi

You look terrific, Shahla!

May I ask what fabric you used for the skirt?

Thank you. It's a two layer skirt. The bottom layer is satin and the top layer is chiffon.

That is just a gorgeous costume!!

Originally Posted by Devora

Shahla, that is gorgeous! And the way you constructed that bra is superior and more flattering than the GL for some figures - I, for example, could never wear the Great Loop because its bra cups are too close-set in the center.

-Devora

Yes, total knockout!

Originally Posted by jaded928

I haven't made a great loop per se but I have made several high end cabaret costumes, specifically very fringey or loopy bedlahs. I prefer to use silver-lined 3mm bugle beads from Japan (faceted if I can find but if not, regular still sparkles plenty). I find that Egyptian and Turkish beads just don't even compare in terms of sparkle. I would say that for 1 bra and belt set (I am a size 8, 36C bra, so you can tell, nothing crazy big or small in size), I use 1/4 kilo of beads. I don't buy on hanks... much cheaper ordering in bulk by the half-kilo. Just use good thread and beeswax... and don't forget to toss any broken beads! Good luck!

Jaded, where do you get 3mm Japanese beads in quantity?

Thanks!