Thread: how do YOU sew premade fringe on?

just curious. I guess it seemed obvious to just lay it on the edge of the premade belt and zig zag over the rope...
but last night I was doing that and thinking...there has to be a better way for this! I was trying to dream up a way to stitch it on with the machine before I cover the belt. seemed like it might be just as annoying. The only way I could come up with is to stitch the back of the "belt cover fabric" onto the base w/the fringe then re stitch the front later...or not at all. Just let the embellishments hold it on?
Any thoughts?

I always hand sew it on with heavy craft/button thread or another suitable heavy thread like upholstery thread. Most of the work that I do on a handmade bedlah set is hand work. I think sewing the fabric cover onto the belt is the only time I use the machine.

On Egyptian made costumes, the fringe is generally just basted in with a whip stitch using heavy thread onto the innards, with the inside lining basted in over that.

When I have attached Egyptian fringe to something, I have always just done the same, using jeans thread or upholstery thread.

oh man....
you ladies are crazy! I do everything possible on the machine. The belt base is so thick most of the time-I end up using a needle + needle nose pliers to get it through. I would not want to have to do that for the whole length of the belt. Plus, I trust the machine to do a sturdy stitch way before I trust myself.

have you ever tried using the machine?

Never ever...the sewing machine is the devils playground and the bobbin is Satan's merry -go -round! I use upholstery thread and a vert sharp needle with a thimble to protect my fingers. Both on the fringe and the cover.

wow! I love my machine. It is a pretty amazing thing. I guess I have enough of the hand sewing when I do the beading, etc.

I must say I'm completely shocked by your response, but maybe I will try the whip stitchin' for part of my project.

I used the machine to sew on beads around the edging of the belt (breaking enough needles that I wanted to throw the belt out the window). And have about 6 inches of the bottom of the belt I will NOT be able to sew the fringe on with the machine, without wasting about 50 needles. So maybe I'll just whip it on. I've always been afraid of the quality of hand stitching. You ladies must find that it works though!

Jen, I guess the only fringe sewing I have ever done has been done on Egyptian costumes, during alteration or when I wanted the fringe in different places.

In these costumes, I don't want the fringe sewn through everything, I want it attached only to certain layers. Generally I remove the inner lining to access and take off/change/move/add fringe and baste the fringe onto the innards. I don't want the stitching to go all the way through all the layers. I want it to stay secure but with the possibility of moving it again in the future if I want.

I also baste the inner lining if I have to remove/replace that. Again, it is intended to be easy to remove (for example to add padding or darts or change strap locations, etc) or replace. I don't want it machine stitched.

Sedonia

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

have you ever tried using the machine?

gotcha....I'll have to show you what I'm making when I get a chance to take pictures.

You ladies are great! Thanks for the input.

I attach it on the sewing machine AFTER creating the belt base. I use a zipper foot to feed it through.

After finishing all the decorating on the bra and belt, my FINAL step is to hand-baste in a felt lining to absorb perspiration. That way, in the future if the costume needs a bit of refreshing, I just replace the felt.

for me it's a mixed bag. Adding pre-strung Egyptian fringe is hand work. As is adding crystals, and other things. mainly because of the ease factor - both kinds!

I do use my sewing machine for certain jobs which are faster and easier - covering gros grain with decorative ribbons, making belt bases, but everything else is by hand.

(A side issue with my sewing machine is that it doesn't have a very long shank so heavy materials don't work well with it. I can't work through the pockets of my son's jeans when necessary to do those repairs.)

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I attach it on the sewing machine AFTER creating the belt base. I use a zipper foot to feed it through.

After finishing all the decorating on the bra and belt, my FINAL step is to hand-baste in a felt lining to absorb perspiration. That way, in the future if the costume needs a bit of refreshing, I just replace the felt.

that's how I do it too Azeeza. Zipper foot or I have this other funky foot that I don't know what it is for...but its good for putting fishing line on too :)
I also use felt...in the same color.

How do you cover the stitches on the front of the belt>? (where you attached the fringe w/zig zags?)

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

How do you cover the stitches on the front of the belt>? (where you attached the fringe w/zig zags?)

I hand-stitch a row of single-strand sequin trim to cover the band at the top of the fringe.

I've heard that some people use glue, but I've never tried that.

ah, thanks! I just used twisted rope like beads. It worked pretty nice.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

have you ever tried using the machine?

I use my machine for much of my construction, but a machine can distort cups and certain delicate shapes at times. Whip stitching the fringe doesn't take much time and makes moving it easier if I decide that it really isn't looking 100%. I always whipstitch the lining because, well, it's lining. You need the option for removing and replacing it with ease when it gets soiled/nasty/find a new home.

I also don't like to threaten my machine needle with all the beads I use.

Okay, so I am not an expert seamstress so keep the replies to a more of "sewing for dummies" level. What do you use as a belt base? I have played around with ribbon and upholstery fringe just to make practice belts but would like to try making something more substantial. It sounds like you all are regulars at this so if you could help me out that would be great. I don't own a sewing machine so everything I do is hand sewn.