cut outs

[Khaleela]

Anyone here ever put cut outs in the costumes you were making? I mean the crazy cut outs like Bella's have. If so do you mind explaining the process? I have a crazy vision of a costume I would like to try and make but don't want to go through the trouble if I get stuck on the cut out parts.

[outi]

- You make the normal costume.
- Then you draw the cutouts.
- Sew net on the cut outs and six-sax the lines very carefully.
- Cut away the costume material under the net.
- Decorate with sequins, beads etc. The decoration will make the seams stronger, too.

[sha-ri]

There are was a discussion about that on a german board a little back and some of the tipps made it to this webpage: http://www.nadyas-naehtipps.de/indexe.htm

I have to say, I once tried and found the folding method a bit tricky.

And BTW, what was never mentioned in that discussion: the costumes from Bella are with an unstretchy material underneath so the cutouts won't lose their shape. Saw both methods on them, folding round the edges and just sew with zig-zag around them, I guess it depends a bit on the material and the seamstress who did it.

[Khaleela]

Oooo. Thank you both! I can't wait to get started now

[mekyria]

If you want to back a costume with sheer fabric, I'd make the cut-out first, remove the fabric in the middle, add the beading, and add the net fabric after that. If you'd sell the costume or don't like the powernet anymore, you can remove the pieces and keep them intact in case you change your mind.

I'm terrible with scissors and would probably ruin the net fabric if I try to cut the other layer of fabric away when the net fabric was already sewn in.

[Lauren_]

I've only done really, really simple cutouts on sleeves & a skirt. I drew my pattern on a piece of medium stiff iron-on interfacing, cut out the shapes, then ironed that onto the back of the fabric. I liked that method because if I messed up with the scissors I hadn't cut my real fabric yet! (for the sleeves, I cut out around the shape leaving just an inch or so)

Then I cut out the fabric inside the openings of the cutout. I left a narrow hemming allowance, clipped curves, etc. then turned it back & lightly tacked it in place. Then I trimmed the edges with sequins.

I'm really curious to try a fancier pattern now -- I'm thinking of using an old Battenburg lace pillow sham as my design!

[auraevans]

It looks to me like the Bellas cutouts are made with buckrum. I recently examined it really closely because I also wanted to try making something like that.