security belts - or belt security!

[Weisha]

This has surely been a thread more than once, so please indulge a newcomer to Bhuz. I recently got a gorgeous and heavily beaded and appliqued belt that stayed together securely until I relocated the hooks. Argh. I'm hoping there have been new developments in the keeping one's belt securing arena since I went on dance hiatus 5 years ago. Safety pins - well, they just don't really do it for me! Any tips?

Weisha

[mish_mish]

Is your belt slipping off of you or falling apart?

[Weisha]

Coming off as a result of coming unhooked for no apparent reason, the tension not really changing from the time I put it on to the time I suddenly realize that were it not for a cleverly placed safety pin or three, it would be hanging from one hook or in a sparkly puddle at my feet....

[mish_mish]

My guess is that it's not tight enough. What is your body type--are you straight hipped? big booty? Just wondering because that can make a difference.

[sha-ri]

Besides hooks I always have velcro or snap-fasteners next to them on the inside of the belt so that the hooks are more secured.

For slipping belts: I looooove snap-fasteners! I have them in all of my belts and either in the skirt or in my panties - no slipping around any more!

[Gia al Qamar]

I do a LOT of alterations on my own costumes and for other dancers in my community. If there is 'overlap' room, I not only move the hooks but put in the BIGGEST snaps that you can find. I call they "industrial" snaps and they're about the size of a quarter.
It takes a BIG needled and upholstery thread to secure them...but once 'in', you'll need NO pins to secure...I have NEVER had one 'unsnap'!
Gia

[ssipes]

Giant snaps rule!

I use two big snaps at the edge of the belt, then inside of that on the overlap part, use hooks. So I have a machanically different backup. Call me paranoid. However, I agree with Gia that I have never had a big snap come undone. They are also much easier to fasten than hooks.

Sedonia

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

I do a LOT of alterations on my own costumes and for other dancers in my community. If there is 'overlap' room, I not only move the hooks but put in the BIGGEST snaps that you can find. I call they "industrial" snaps and they're about the size of a quarter.
It takes a BIG needled and upholstery thread to secure them...but once 'in', you'll need NO pins to secure...I have NEVER had one 'unsnap'!
Gia

[Weisha]

Thanks to all who have replied! To Mish-Mish, I am sort of eggplant or pear shaped, short-waisted and with moderatly-generous hips and behind. I hover toward a 14 (grrr). Belt is definitely not too loose!

I will try the ginormous snaps - are these available in the hard-to-find fabric store? Something like Mill Ends or Fabricland in Portland, Oregon?

[Gia al Qamar]

You should have no problem finding them. Just ask for snaps and grab the LARGEST...about the size of a quarter...
Good luck!
Gia

[latriamou]

giant snaps are the best invention since sequins! i discovered them when i bought a costume from a bhuzzer and she had used them. i never knew they existed! you can find them at joann's fabric and at places like wal-mart.
another really great thing is oversized hook and eyes. they are usually wrapped in fabric and are great for the halter part of a bra- they hurt less and hold great!
hope any/all of this helps!
Amartia

[dunyah]

Hi Weisha,
Nice to see you on Bhuz!

This thread is timely for me because I am working on a costume and I live in fear of this particular costume malfunction, having had my belt fall off once during an audition for a theatre show. Yikes!

I'm going looking for giant snaps. Yeah. Giant Snaps that will never come undone.

[jmdruadh]

I second that! I had a costume custom-made that is incredibly secure, and that belt had two HUGE hooks and two HUGE snaps.

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

I do a LOT of alterations on my own costumes and for other dancers in my community. If there is 'overlap' room, I not only move the hooks but put in the BIGGEST snaps that you can find. I call they "industrial" snaps and they're about the size of a quarter.
It takes a BIG needled and upholstery thread to secure them...but once 'in', you'll need NO pins to secure...I have NEVER had one 'unsnap'!
Gia

[mish_mish]

You sound like you are shaped like me--my waist is smaller than my hips by a lot. I have trouble fitting my belts correctly too because the fasteners need to be in two different spots. I usually have two sets of hooks but they can't be right above each other. The lower hook needs to allow for my room for my butt and the upper hook needs to be more snug.

I don't know if that makes sense, but maybe you need to adjust the upper or lower hooks. If my hooks are not set up to accomdate the difference in my upper and lower hips, the hooks don't stay closed.

The snaps sound like a good idea!

[mish_mish]

Weisha, I got your message, too! Because of my browser I can't use the message function, but I wanted you to know that I wasn't ignoring you!!

I love my parrot--he (at least we think Georgie is a he!) has been amusing me for 11 years! He's yelling for me right now in fact!

[Lucinia]

Originally Posted by Weisha

Thanks to all who have replied! To Mish-Mish, I am sort of eggplant or pear shaped, short-waisted and with moderatly-generous hips and behind. I hover toward a 14 (grrr). Belt is definitely not too loose!

I will try the ginormous snaps - are these available in the hard-to-find fabric store? Something like Mill Ends or Fabricland in Portland, Oregon?

Try Fabric Depot.... They should have the snaps your looking for. I believe they are on 122nd.... google them and you should find it..

[Melinda77]

I use the snaps too. I love them. So much better than the hooks. I get them in all different sizes so I can use them in the back of the bra as well as the belt.
I usually find mine at Rag Shop.