how to make sequin applique

[jenlindseys]

Do any of you ladies do this yourself? Any good instructional pages?

Also curious if you sew the sequin directly onto the costume, or how do you do it??

Any and all information is appreciated. I've tried a few methods and none of them seem to be very efficient as far as time goes.

[tigerb]

I'll be watching this thread closely... I haven't found any good instructions on what the sequins and beads should be sew onto when making your own appliques. I was thinking maybe black silk organza for a dark applique?

[Susanna]

Onto interface works.

[jenlindseys]

I thought of interfacing, but then the color will show.

After its sewn onto interfacing....how do you stitch it onto your costume? I guess the costume I have in mind will be stretch velvet. Will appliqués stretch? They don't seem like they would, unless you did it on stretchy fabric

I apologize for my ignorance. I sew an awful lot, but everything I learn....I learn from the internet. Haha. I always have been a big question asker

[Lauren_]

I've sewn sequins directly onto costumes in the past. I made a stencil (would've been easier to just buy some I liked, I guess...) and drew a simple floral pattern directly onto the fabric. I was working with a stretch satin.

Then I outlined each petal, flower center and leaf with beads (using my purchased costumes for ideas on how to lay the beads) and making sure my stitches were diagonal and not too tight so they'd give with the stretch of the fabric. Then I filled in each one -- again, I just studied existing commercial costumes for ideas. It's fairly easy to see how it's done when you look closely.

Oh, and I tried to remember to knot off my thread often so I wouldn't lose too much if a thread broke. So far none have broken, though.

[tigerb]

Appliques won't stretch, but as long as they are not too big, they won't screw up the stretch of the costume. Also, you can (carefully) pin the applique on the costume while you are wearing it and sew it on with short lengths of thread. That way there will be ease under the applique. (Or so I have been told!)

[shems]

I've used organza to make appliqués before. I stretched the organza on an embroidery frame, used a fabric marker or chalk pencil to draw on my design, then beaded it. It worked really well, then after I finished I coated the entire back with fabric glue and then I think I installed a felt backing on top of that before I sewed them to the costume. They were beautiful and sturdy.

[tigerb]

Originally Posted by shems

I've used organza to make appliqués before. I stretched the organza on an embroidery frame, used a fabric marker or chalk pencil to draw on my design, then beaded it. It worked really well, then after I finished I coated the entire back with fabric glue and then I think I installed a felt backing on top of that before I sewed them to the costume. They were beautiful and sturdy.

oooh, a felt back! That is a fine idea!!

[ozma]

I fuse interfacing onto the back of thin felt the color of the costume/beads and then use that as my base when I do it.

[tigerb]

I found my copy of Bead and Sequin Embroidery Stitches and the author has all of six paragraphs on what he calls "cut outs". He recommends ironing interfacing on the back of your fabric (no recommendations as to what) prior to doing the beading. But the book has some excellent diagrams and beautiful photographs of different effects you can get with beads and sequins. (I was reading it last night while the silk was in the fuschia bucket.)

[Susanna]

What is the name of the author of this book?
Thank you.

[tigerb]

Originally Posted by Susanna

What is the name of the author of this book?
Thank you.

Stanley Levy is the author:

Bead & Sequin Embroidery Stitches - Google Book Search