Thread: Interfacing??

For making belts and giving other costume pieces firm foundations, is it interfacing? I remember someone telling me, but I can't quite remember the name. I'm a beginner to costume making.

I was checking out Joann's Fabrics Online store, and was thinking of getting the very first one. Is that it?

Interfacing for Sewing - Joann.com

Thanks!

I use heavy duty pellon covered in felt.

Never heard of pellon.

Like this?

Pellon Stabilizers 20''

Thanks!

I also use buckram (might be spelled buckrum).
Heaviest denim I can find.
Or like was previously suggested heavy pellon.
With felt on all the above.

The more intricate the belt (free standing cutouts in the design), the more layers I use.
I also use denim or sheeting for my outer facing, this helps keep the belt in place.
I once used satin, and it kept sliding around my body, because it was so slick!

I use several types of interfacing to get a sturdy base. Usual fusible interfacing fused to heavy denim fabric and one or two layers of felt. If you can't find extra strong denim, use two layers and sew them together.

For a belt base, I use a double layer of a kind of upholstery material (don't know what it's called) that has a short velvety nap on one side and a fused-on plasticized lining. I sew the layers together with the plastic-y stuff in the center, sewing both around the edges and running a few seams across the whole thing, so it becomes one very stable unit. This kind of material is likely to be found anywhere they sell upholstery remnants. This makes a belt form that's more flexible than buckram but has good body, will not stretch at all, and because of the fused-on backing, the cut edges don't fray.
Rosette

I personally HATE fusible interfacing, so I might not be the right person to answer...my friend Bahira (Bahira's Beautiful Bedlah) uses a medium weight interfacing and felt together; I like a heavy weight interfacing used alone for the base, and then line the finished belt with felt.

Sew-In Extra Heavyweight Interfacing 22'' W, 30 yds.

This might be the stuff; it is hard to tell online. Do you have a fabric store where you could feel the stuff? It needs to be stiff enough to hold the shape and flexible enough to conform to your body (after you put in darts).

Pellon is a brand name for a type of interfacing. I believe it comes in several "weights" or thicknesses/stiffnesses. Your best bet would be to find a place to feel the product and see if it will hold up to your ornamentation.

Sending good "find the right product" vibes -- m

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

Never heard of pellon.

Like this?

Pellon Stabilizers 20''

Thanks!

That's it, but I bought mine at WalMart They probably don't have it any more, though since they're doing away with the fabric departments.

Buckram is my choice. It's hard to find but it's the BEST.

Ouroboros, how do you deal with ravelling? Scratchiness? (Obviously, it is lined, but I've had it poke through the fabric...) Inquiring minds want to know...

maia, thabks for posting the link to Bahira's Beautiful bedlah! I love browsing the gallery with the costumes that she made.

I use fusible buckram too, it is sold as stuff for making curtain pelmets, in various widths. I iron it to a layer of felt, and on the back a layer of cotton lining fabric. Then cover with the finish material before beading. It is sometimes a little bit tricky to get a needle right through, especially where the fabric is doubled up -ie on darts, but it is my preferred method, and I've tried quite a few!

Actually I believe it is used for making curtain headers, and tiebacks. It is quite a fine weave cotton fabric, but fairly stiff. I don't mean the coarse weave hessian type that is also sold as buckram.
So confusing I know!
This is what it looks like if that's any help...

I found this photo/instruction page extremely useful when I made my first belt, definitely worth a look...
Nadya's sewing Instructions: Foto story: how to produce a belt basis

I use Buckram. I can usually find it at Hancock Fabric Stores. I like it especially for building bras. If you get it wet you can mold it into the shape you need and it will stay that way when it dries.

Originally Posted by nakiajizeem

I use Buckram. I can usually find it at Hancock Fabric Stores. I like it especially for building bras. If you get it wet you can mold it into the shape you need and it will stay that way when it dries.

What a good idea. What do you mold it over?

I was going to say the same thing! Never thought of this.

Originally Posted by nakiajizeem

I use Buckram. I can usually find it at Hancock Fabric Stores. I like it especially for building bras. If you get it wet you can mold it into the shape you need and it will stay that way when it dries.

This is really neat. Do you mold it over...well... the breasts? ..l;, Over a manakin or something?


Has anyone ever just took the fabric from some old jeans and used that as a base?

no answer. Maybe over a couple a upside down tuperware bowls. ..l;,

Originally Posted by maiaraqs

Ouroboros, how do you deal with ravelling? Scratchiness? (Obviously, it is lined, but I've had it poke through the fabric...) Inquiring minds want to know...

The buckram I have used doesn't ravel. If you get the hat buckram it is coated with starch (that will make it moldable) and that should keep it all together without scratchy edges.

Hat buckram is hard to find. I will look up my source and post it here when I do.

Yeah, I use hat buckram. I know you can get it at Lacis in the CA Bay Area.

I also use buckram and it comes in various thicknesses. I have found it in the drapery dept. at fabric stores but also in sewing/fabric speciality catalogs by the yard about 36 inches wide. A lot of what I see in the fabric stores is not that wide.

Lisa