Costume makers - belt base material

[danidance]

Peeps,

I found this stuff for crafts that I think will be great for belt bases. Maybe some of you are using it already - It's called Timtex. It is frequently used for hat brims and purse structures.

I got a shipment and while it's not quite right for my projects - my immediate thought was "Bedlah Base!" It's soft and pliable yet sturdy.

[tamrahennatx]

Cool stuff! Can you get it at fabric stores?

[danidance]

I think you can get it at Joanns but I'm not sure. I ordered mine on line directly from them.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Cool stuff! Can you get it at fabric stores?

[NajlaHalem]

this is almost the same stuff used in hat brims. It's kind of thick, almost 1/4". I use it all the time in my artwork. My only concern for costume use is that over time the bend and curve around your body may break down some of the stiffness that it has. If you need to build darts into your belt, you shouldn't sew a regular "triangle" shaped dart, but instead cut away that same triangle, and then sew the gap together with a zig zag stitch.
When I make belt bases I buy thick (10oz) non-stretch denim. I cut out my pattern twice to create a doubled thickness. I stitch this together with a zigzag. It's incredibly firm, sturdy, durable but still flexible. It's also cheap, much more so than Timtex. There is also Peltex available at Joann's, which is a knock off of Timtex, but it's thinner and some of them have fusible on one side.

---Mandi

[najla86]

for the set that I made I used a sandwich of materials. The innermost layer (right below the pretty fabric) was a relatively heavy-weight interfacing. You can usually find that in the "notions" or quilting section--make sure it's not fusible, as I think the heat from a lot of performance sweat could end up melting it a little and possibly mess up your real fabric.

After the interfacing web I used a layer of felt (non-dyed) for some cushion, then a layer of linen on the back, where it would be touching my body. You can always add another layer of something as a removable layer.

None of the decorating was done on any of these layers--the way I attached my beaded fringe was by attaching them to a piece of thick, ribbed cotton ribbon (the kind often found on hems of thick curtains, etc) and stitching that to the belt base. That way, if you lose a strand or want to change things up, you don't have to take apart the whole belt. You may be able to do that with snaps if you really want to have options. I used heavyweight thread (carpet thread, usually).

[dancewithmeela]

I found white denim on sale for 99cents a meter and bought 6 meters. It is stiff enough, and flexible. I do cover material, 2 layers of cotton material (scrap material because I can't throw anything away), and 1 layer of the denim (I sandwich this between the cotton layers). When I am finished I tack on a felt backing. Seems to work for me.
Does anybody know if colored felt would bleed color with sweat?

[zumarrad]

Does anybody know if colored felt would bleed color with sweat?

I lined an old belt of mine with purple felt when I first made it, and it never seemed to bleed colour. If you were concerned you could always wash the felt first.