How to bead onto stretch velvet skirts

[tamrahennatx]

Hi everyone,

I have a current project that is a bra/skirt costume. The skirt is made like an older-style bella with a velvet and chiffon pull-on skirt. I want to bead the hipline fairly lavishly with swirling motifs, but I'm having trouble figuring out the best way to lay out the pattern on fabric that will end up stretched when worn. Does anyone have any experience sewing projects like this? What is your advice?

I may post pics of this project later on to better illustrate what I'm trying to say, but it won't be until after I get home late tonight.

[*Shira*]

Maybe you could get (or make) a dress-maker's dummy set to your size (or slightly larger) and place the skirt on that while you work on it? That would hold it in the stretched position while you attach all your decorations.

[cindy_]

maybe you could bead the fabric while stretched in an embroidery hoop? or bead the fabric in very small sections, so there are not long continuous threads that will break? some stretch fabrics also have more stretch in one direction, and less in the other, so maybe bead in the direction that has the least stretch. (hope any of this makes any sense!)