Thread: beading question

I have a question on beading- for example this costume below, how would one do the beading? If by hand, how do you keep to the pattern?

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...hru-3-7-a.html

Originally Posted by BooBah

I have a question on beading- for example this costume below, how would one do the beading? If by hand, how do you keep to the pattern?

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...hru-3-7-a.html

As you can somewhat see from the fabric on the sides of the upper legs, there is a swirly pattern already on the fabric. They then beaded directly on top of the printed pattern with beads of the same colors.

so then does a person actually physical sew on each seed bead one by one? or is there a machine to assist in doing that

Yes, you sew it all by hand. That's why designer costumes look like they do. And cost what they do!

BooBah -

I see you are in LA. I am not sure we have met. But if you would like to see some hand made costumes - both by Egyptian and Turkish designers and by individual dancers - let me know. We can plan a meet up and I'll bring examples.

But yes, every bead and ever sequin is sewn on by hand. At least on the better quality ones.

{{{HUGS}}}

It gets faster with practice but it still takes time.

Originally Posted by BooBah

so then does a person actually physical sew on each seed bead one by one? or is there a machine to assist in doing that

There's no machine for beading, but each of your stitches could have several beads on them. Here's an explanation of how to do beading.

Shushanna Designs: Beading

Originally Posted by BooBah

so then does a person actually physical sew on each seed bead one by one? or is there a machine to assist in doing that

Haha... wow. the person who invented a beading machine would be set for life, and then some! Belly dancers everywhere would probably make that person a saint!

I know it sounds daunting. When I first started making costumes, I was like, WHHHHAAAAAAT? no way that every bead is put on by hand. But it really does go quickly when you do it in person and it's so fulfilling. Plus it makes you appreciate good workmanship in a costume. Nowadays there are so many I just refuse to buy cause of the shoddy workmanship. It's kinda like homemade cookies vs. Entenmans

I'm working on a costume with a similar kind of beading right now, except I'm not following a print, I'm covering the surface area entirely with monotone seed and short bugle beads. Does indeed take a lot of time (even if your speed increases with practice) but is indeed very rewarding. I love watching the beaded area grow, and as an added bonus, wearing something I put that much work into improves my posture by way of inflated pride.

Jing, that's really cool! Share pix when you're done :)

ok so here's what i don't get. how are the costumers able to mass produce so much inventory? on another thread someone said eman only has 4 tailors working for her....how is it they can stock such a variety of designs in bulk so fast?

Originally Posted by BooBah

ok so here's what i don't get. how are the costumers able to mass produce so much inventory? on another thread someone said eman only has 4 tailors working for her....how is it they can stock such a variety of designs in bulk so fast?

If you do anything enough you get really good at it. Also, take a close look at their designs - they're not covered in beads from edge to edge. The decorations are selective (edging here, beaded shape there), making the costumes take less time.

Originally Posted by BooBah

ok so here's what i don't get. how are the costumers able to mass produce so much inventory? on another thread someone said eman only has 4 tailors working for her....how is it they can stock such a variety of designs in bulk so fast?

A friend bought a costume from one of the famous designers and she said that each seamstress was in charge of working on a certain colour. Like a production line.

Another friend visited a designers shop and his work room consisted of a room, a bunch of women sitting on the floor with their laps full of beads sewing away.

The tailors do the design work- making the designer's concept into the basic costume. Then there are maybe hundreds of seamstresses and beaders doing the actual work, either in the atelier, or at home.

They are all well paid for the work they do, because it is skilled labour, and because none of the designers want to risk dissatisfied workers leaving them and going to work for another designer, partly because they would need to find other skilled workers to replace them, and partly because they would take their exclusive designs with them.

This is another reason why designer costumes are expensive.

Just to echo Bea - lots of women do beading in their homes for costumers like Eman Zaki or Hallah Mostafa, they'll send out fabric to beaders who will return the fabric completely covered in beads. Like Bea said, this is well paid work for women that enables them to work at home.

Larger costumers have lots of people working for them, tailors and seamstresses, beading, women who will fit you and do finishing touches. Smaller costumers, like some in the Khan, are small operations - it really is one tailor, and two women sitting on the floor beading. Usually the beading is less intricate or they sew on crystals instead.

Same with hipscarves - they are hand-crocheted, no machine makes them. (As far as I know! And I've seen women making hipscarves - talk about work!)

Originally Posted by beafarhana

The tailors do the design work- making the designer's concept into the basic costume. Then there are maybe hundreds of seamstresses and beaders doing the actual work, either in the atelier, or at home.

They are all well paid for the work they do, because it is skilled labour, and because none of the designers want to risk dissatisfied workers leaving them and going to work for another designer, partly because they would need to find other skilled workers to replace them, and partly because they would take their exclusive designs with them.

This is another reason why designer costumes are expensive.

oh that is really smart!