Time-tested fringe...

perizaad · 05-08-2007, 09:43 AM

So, did everyone see the vintage bedlah being sold by Safiya?
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/showthread...ed=1#post11646

It really amazes me that this costume could be is such beautiful condition after at least 30 years. Even if it wasn't worn excessively, I would think the thread would just be breaking down by now.

So I want to ask some of the expert beaders out there- do you think its lasted so well because the fringe is in the loop style? I have one belt that I love, and probably wear too much, and it seems to loose the fringe from the end, so that I'm left with a string

I've started going back an putting a dab of fabric glue at the end of each strand to help hold the knots, but it really just needs a new set of fringe...

I was hoping some of you would share with us your ideas about the best way to knot the end of fringe, or the best kind of threads. Does making a loop style help get around this problem altogether by avoiding loose ends?

bintbeled · 05-08-2007, 11:03 AM

The strongest fringe is the stuff without a knot at the end. When my ever-lovin' hubby beaded a costume for me years ago, he started at the top for each strand of fringe, then added a little bead at the bottom and threaded up through the beads from the bottom, tying the strand off at the top. It takes a lot more time, but the fringe lasts a lot longer. I think the same would be true for looped fringe, because you avoid that knot at the bottom.

perizaad · 05-08-2007, 11:10 AM

I would think your thread as well as needle would have to be mighty thin to go through the beads twice, but it sounds like it would be worth the trouble. What kind of thread/needle would you recommend?

tigerb · 05-08-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perizaad

I would think your thread as well as needle would have to be mighty thin to go through the beads twice, but it sounds like it would be worth the trouble. What kind of thread/needle would you recommend?

I've done that type of fringe beading, and it really depends on your beads. The last fringe like that I did was with Nymo beading thread and a needle specifically for beading with a narrow eye. But I wasn't using bugle beads, and they can be awfully picky about needle size. You could look here for a few examples.

I wish somebody could point me to a definitive book that covers the beading concepts for costumes: bead/sequin embroidery and fringe. I often see books that cover a lot of jewelry stuff, but that's not what I would like to have.

Surida · 05-08-2007, 04:53 PM

When I make fringe I make it by going down through all the beads and then back up - then I make a knot at the ribbon level before doing the next fringe. When I am finished I then use sobo glue on all knots. I have never had a fringe break that I have made this way. I just bought a book called Be-Dazzling by Tahia Alibeck that went over alot of basics. Helpful for a beginning beader. It was written in 1992 - said for info write: Alibeck, PO Box 47235, Seattle, WA 98146-47235 Not sure if that address would still be good.

For purchased fringe I always go through and glue the knot wherever it is - top or bottom. It does help.

dancingrrrlz · 05-09-2007, 03:47 AM

Nymo doesn't hold up with that much age, in my experience. I hand-fringed a costume with it years ago. The Nymo has gotten brittle, and the beads fly now.

tigerb · 05-09-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingrrrlz

Nymo doesn't hold up with that much age, in my experience. I hand-fringed a costume with it years ago. The Nymo has gotten brittle, and the beads fly now.

Darn!

What do you recommend instead?

perizaad · 05-09-2007, 08:58 AM

Has anyone ever worked with Fireline? It claims to have the highest tensile strength per diameter. What about Kevlar thread?

norma · 05-09-2007, 10:04 AM

I have some hand bead costumes that are 20 years old and the fringe is still in fantastic shape. My costumes were made with bugle beads and beaded with a lightweight nylon fishing line. I can't remember the poundage. 9lbs comes to mind but it might be less than that. You don't want too heavy a weight otherwise the beads will hang stiflly. Looping helps. Also double threading also helps. Bugle beads however can be hard to double thread. My costume maker would tie off each length of bugle bead fringe with a small seed or rocaille bead and knot the thread by going through the seed bead several times then up through as many strands of bugle beads as possible. If the fringe was short this was easy but I had some costumes were the fringe reached the floor, not so easy to go all the way back up!

Many dancers I knew would also seal the bottom with clear nail polish.

perizaad · 05-09-2007, 10:37 AM

The warning about fishing line though, is that most of it is made to degrade over time in water. If your fringe is 20 yrs old, I bet its not the biodegradable kind of fishing line...

I found this little article about PowerPro, a type of fishing line that is used for beading, and is not biodegradable. It turns out that Fireline, which is commenly sold for beading, is pretty much the same thing.

So, I think I'm gonna take on re-beading one of my belts. The fringe that's on it now is a long V, about 12" at the longest point. I've never taken on such a big project!

I've heard mention about using grossgrain ribbon as the base. Do y'all thread right through the ribbon? Sounds like a good way to space your strands, but I wondered if this would make the ribbon weaker. I also have heard of using snap tape as a base, so the fringe could be moved between costumes. I think I'm gonna try that!

sitara_mn · 05-09-2007, 10:15 PM

Fireline is the brand of fishing line I use. It is known for having a high pound rating while retaining the thinness of light weight line. I have never used it in sewing though. Think I'll have to try that.

bintbeled · 05-09-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perizaad

I've heard mention about using grossgrain ribbon as the base. Do y'all thread right through the ribbon? Sounds like a good way to space your strands, but I wondered if this would make the ribbon weaker. I also have heard of using snap tape as a base, so the fringe could be moved between costumes. I think I'm gonna try that!

The dancers who taught me to make costumes always used grosgrain ribbon as a base for handmade fringe, so it could be moved from costume to costume if necessary. Sewing the strands to the ribbon didn't seem to weaken it.

Anuka · 05-10-2007, 01:40 PM

I swear by upholstery thread to make fringe. It's very strong, but supple unlike fishing line and isn't too thick to put through a beading needle. It also comes in many colours.