*New* 'What are you working on?' thread.

[firefly5]

i LOVE it! is that blue sequin around the edge>?? I like the color combos...

btw, how do you plan to attach the straps later?

Yes, blue holographic sequins, sewn on with iridescent blue and silver seed beads. The kuchi bits I have are mostly lapis, so they'll fit nicely with the colour scheme.
Here's a blurry close-up for ya!



I'll probably attach the shoulder straps on when I've almost finished it. I just plan to sew them on, one way or another I'll get that needle through!

[jenlindseys]

nice!
I have my green bra almost done, but I didn't attach the straps before I covered the bra and was kinda dreading figuring out how to do it. If you get a chance, I'd love to hear how you attach the straps after all of the rest of the bra is done...

[firefly5]

I've done it on some others, I just used neat small hand stitches, in the same colour thread, a few to hold the strap on lower, then a neat row right at the edge where the strap leaves the bra. If you've got sequins or beads on the bra it really doesn't show at all.

[jenlindseys]

ahhh, I'll see what I can come up with. I didn't attach the cups until after they were covered either, but I knew there would be sequin there...so it didn't matter. Maybe I'll just change the design a little to cover my stitches~!

[Linnyg]

Wow. Seeing all of these beauties, I am a little scared of the one I am doing. When I have something to show, I will. I think that I am going to need suggestions.

[jaziri]

Susanna-I made my own pattern awhile ago which was really simple (it is what I used on the orange but they ended up being adapted this weekend). After making about 12 different pairs of pants I realized there was a better way to do it. I made a really rough sketch in paint and can send you the picture....or anyone else interested.... just let me know if you want to see it!

Everyone is so helpful on here, I'd be happy to give advice on the one thing I have A LOT of experience messing around with. Haha.

Hi, I would really like to see this pattern also. I've been messing with making costumes for 25+ yrs and love seeing new things. Thanks. healthcareforpeace@gmail.com is my email, or pm here,either way, but thanks.

[Linnyg]

Okay, I am going to do something I wouldn't normally do and show you all what I am thinking of. Please keep in mind that this is a quick beading job. I have to actually do things before I know if I will like it or not (I am visual). All I have really done is sandwich the materials together and play with beading. It will be my first attempt at doing anything like this.

[ozma]

Okay, I am going to do something I wouldn't normally do and show you all what I am thinking of. Please keep in mind that this is a quick beading job. I have to actually do things before I know if I will like it or not (I am visual). All I have really done is sandwich the materials together and play with beading. It will be my first attempt at doing anything like this.

I'd suggest mixing some gold sequins into the flowers with beads instead of simply filling the outline with the same sized beads. It'll take less time and add depth.

[mekyria]

I'd also go for adding sequins with the beads. Flatbeading takes a lot of time and is less visible for people further then three feet away.

I'm working on a corset belt, I'm making black braids with white cowry shells to add to the o-rings. I'm addicted to Tim Burton movies and it seemed a nice idea to create a black/white striped fusion costume :)

[ozma]

Honestly, I am currently working on 4 costumes, and only one is for me. One is tribaret, one is a base costume for a coin set, one is cowries...and gold for myslef

Gold tribaret with off-center V for a local friend who will be wearing it to dance at another friend's wedding.

[azhaar]

WOW ... your costumes are great! I love them all but I especially like the diamond pattern on the black and red one. as well as the sheer panels on the sides of the skirt. Very nice.

I have so many costumes in the works.... One of these days I may actually finish ONE! LOL

[azhaar]

Honestly, I am currently working on 4 costumes, and only one is for me. One is tribaret, one is a base costume for a coin set, one is cowries...and gold for myslef

Gold tribaret with off-center V for a local friend who will be wearing it to dance at another friend's wedding.

GORGEOUS!!!!!!

[firefly5]

Ozma that is GORGEOUS! Reminds me very much of Tahiya's tribaret bedlahs.

[Surida]

Okay, I am going to do something I wouldn't normally do and show you all what I am thinking of. Please keep in mind that this is a quick beading job. I have to actually do things before I know if I will like it or not (I am visual). All I have really done is sandwich the materials together and play with beading. It will be my first attempt at doing anything like this.

Your beading is lovely - great ideas for a first time beader. I agree with the other girls that adding some sequins can add depth and texture and also speed up the process. However it will give it a different look - you need to decide on your personal look.

I like the solid gold shape between the flowers. It would be a great place to add a few swarovski crystals to power up the bling factor.

Good luck and keep us posted..g.:

[ozma]

Ozma that is GORGEOUS! Reminds me very much of Tahiya's tribaret bedlahs.

It was upon investigating my Tahiya that I got a solid grasp on how to use trims (and in my case make trims from Asian fabric available in this area) to construct bedlah that would not be TOOO time consuming for those folks who were pestering me to take commission work.

[shahla]

I made myself two new costumes. Here's the first. Skirt and gauntlets are courtesty of L Rose Designs. The bra, belt and headband are made by me.

[shahla]

Here's the second new costume. I purchased the chiffon skirt from Surida. The bra, belt, headband and arm bands were made by me.

[Monica]

Shahla, I like the shape of the bra in the black and gold! Did you construct off of cups, or use a premade bra? And if the latter, what brand? :)

Beautiful!

[shahla]

Shahla, I like the shape of the bra in the black and gold! Did you construct off of cups, or use a premade bra? And if the latter, what brand? :)

Beautiful!

Thanks Monica. I actually used a really cheap premade bra for this set. I bought it a discount chain called A J Wright. They always had great hard shelled bras for costumes. I can't remember what the name brand was. The store closed a year or so ago. When they went out of business, I bought about a dozen bras from them at about $2 each. They only had one of this kind. I wish now I had saved the tag and sought out some more elsewhere. It's a very flattering shape and very comfy.

[Linnyg]

I'd suggest mixing some gold sequins into the flowers with beads instead of simply filling the outline with the same sized beads. It'll take less time and add depth.

You mean the inside of the flowers? Like filling with sequence with a bead on top or layering the sequence to give texture? I did finish covering the bra this weekend. I had to hand sew most of it because I suck on a machine. I think it turned out okay for a first try!

[ozma]

You mean the inside of the flowers? Like filling with sequence with a bead on top or layering the sequence to give texture? I did finish covering the bra this weekend. I had to hand sew most of it because I suck on a machine. I think it turned out okay for a first try!

'
Yeah, inside the flowers. Both ways that you mention...play around a little bit.

[Azhia]

Here's the second new costume. I purchased the chiffon skirt from Surida. The bra, belt, headband and arm bands were made by me.

Shahla,
I love this colour combination! Beautiful job on it. Nice rack, too!
[the one behind you, I'm dying for some free weights!]

[ozma]

What's on my table right now:
First off, that yellow thing? I gots me a label maker! I am waaaaay too happy with my new cheap label maker. It wasn't an easy find (ABC's vs Japan). Now I just need a few more storage drawers from Muji for my costume workspace.

Gold costume comissioned: the belt is getting some metal rivet action to start with. She's just not the sequin type. Awaiting some tribal turkomen buttons...

Burgundy: Re-enforcing the cups and doing a little more fringing on one of my first homemade bedlahs. I wore it to the restaurant last
Friday. I swear, there is a love of my homemade bedlah and my Turkish Rom heavy music there that makes me think the owner is stuck a bit in the past and that that's the right place for an owner hiring me to be.

Cowrie: Eshe's long-awaited cowrie costume. I'm starting with the few little baggies she gave me at her last performance before moving to Korea and Mekyria's sending more! There's a lovely bit of white coral from my trip to Okinawa that will go between the cups.

Champagne and Coins: At her last performance before moving Eshe thrust a big-ass bag at me and said something about cowries. The thing weighed a TON. It was only when I got home that I realized I was lugging around another coin-cover set. Eshe bought it used before moving and shipping/storage/moving just didn't work out for her. It's going to stay in the Afet Collective family. I'm charging a fellow collective member (Japanraks) for my supplies and labor to make the base belt and bra and attach everything. When I am done we'll have no reason not to get off our bottoms and do a duet because we'll have matching-enough costumes now. Above those coins are my coins from my set. She and and I are roughly the same size so I'm using what I've already done to figure out the base pattern.

There are a few more works in progress and repair items not shown.

[acmcgraw]

Wow! Great work ladies!

I'm collecting and processing ideas. I need something to match the awesome skirt I bought from Satin Worshiper. I need to go fabric diving in my stash to see what I have that might work...

[Nazarah]

Oh. My. You all are amazing!!!!! I am in awe.

I, um, adjusted a *purchased* bedlah to fit me last week, which needs slight re-adjusting because the bra now cuts off circulation to my brain. I also passed along a circle skirt I made to a troupe member nice enough to finish for me, because my machine & I just could not handle the #^!* trim around the hem... I knew I was sewing in a sandbox with my very amateur attempts, but after seeing what you all have made, I am really feeling the sand in my diaper!

[Linnyg]

Oh. My. You all are amazing!!!!! I am in awe.

I, um, adjusted a *purchased* bedlah to fit me last week, which needs slight re-adjusting because the bra now cuts off circulation to my brain. I also passed along a circle skirt I made to a troupe member nice enough to finish for me, because my machine & I just could not handle the #^!* trim around the hem... I knew I was sewing in a sandbox with my very amateur attempts, but after seeing what you all have made, I am really feeling the sand in my diaper!

Don't worry....the machine and I do not get along. I mostly hand stich which killins the arthrtis but keeps me much more sane.

[Linnyg]

So I need to put straps on the bra I just covered. I bought some grosgrain(sp?) ribbon, will that work ok? And also...about how wide is a belt usually?

[jenlindseys]

awesome costumes shahla!
Man, IM in KY on travel and I spent about 4 hours of my drive down here working on a bra....but my SD card is being a pain and I can't get pictures uploaded. I'm pretty bummed....
but I will get it when I get home. electronics are a *****....even for engineers!

[Surida]

Shahla - love your costumes!! Nice to see the yellow skirt has found it's costume - it looks wonderful together!

[shahla]

Here's one more that I'm working on for a friend. Who says the bedlah is dead?!