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Sequins on tutus


FullContretemps

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So here's for a really dull topic: local school show next weekend and I have been given sequins to add to our tutus. Somehow I've managed to get this far in life without having a proper tutu and thus need to check before attacking the thing! You would stick them on convex, rather than like a plate, yes? Or should it be like a plate as I guess they would stick better that way (we've been told to glue them rather than sew as there are a lot and very little time!)?

 

Many thanks for your help!

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They're to go on the skirt. I wouldn't really have thought about it either, except I overheard one of the mums the other day saying about how she had put them on the wrong way round one year and had to take them off and do it again! So now wondering which is the right way round... Didn't think to ask while I was there of course, but could do tomorrow if there's no consensus on which way up the plate should be! Thanks j & e

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Hmm. I've just been up to look at some of DD's costumes but unfortunately all sequined costumes seem to be in her bedroom, not the wardrobe on the landing where they should be, and she's asleep. But I think they are usually put on with the curved surface facing outwards, though in reality, I wouldn't worry as I doubt the difference will be that noticeable on stage.

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I've never heard of sequins being put on curved side (convex) outward - but that doesn't mean it can't done that way.

 

I always sewed (never trusted glue) them on plateside upwards, using a tiny clear glass bead to make the "turn-around" to come back through the sequin.  The glass bead also serves the purpose of catching the shine of the sequin and focusing it outward.

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I've never heard of sequins being put on curved side (convex) outward - but that doesn't mean it can't done that way.

 

I always sewed (never trusted glue) them on plateside upwards, using a tiny clear glass bead to make the "turn-around" to come back through the sequin.  The glass bead also serves the purpose of catching the shine of the sequin and focusing it outward.

Ahh...I would call the concave side the curved side...

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I agree, imagine you're sewing/gluing a pasta bowl :)

Specialist glues these days are generally very good and some even survive washing - though doubt you'd be washing a tutu!

Ive also used Anjuli's idea of glass bead - if you don't I find you need three stitches at 60 degree angles to secure the sequin and stop it from flipping upside down - so may as well add an extra bit of sparkle!

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Any suggestions as to how to sew on strips of sequins without stopping the fabric stretching? I know you can get stretchy strips and zig zag which would allow some stretch but what about the thin strips as they don't stretch. Is there some kind of trick as to how to do it? Or can you get thin strips on elastic perhaps? Or any other ideas how to sew multiple sequins in a row without losing the stretchiness? It's something I've never figured out!

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Let's make sure I am understanding you correctly....you want to sew a strip of sequines which are on an non-elastic strip of cloth onto an elastic/stretchable fabric such as needs to move with the body like a bodice.....

 

Pin the strip of sequines onto the fabric.

 

Now sew on loosely - baste - the strip onto the fabric to secure it. 

 

Now, take the fabric and wrap it around the fingers of your left hand as you sew the strip more permanently into place with your right hand.  (reverse for left handed people). 

 

When you sew the strip on to the fabric - coming from below - come up through the fabric, through the outer edge of the sequin strip only taking a thread of two of the sequin strip and then go down again through the fabric. 

 

With a long running stitch underneath the fabric - come up again about 1/2 inch down the strip - all the while the fabric is wrapped around the fingers of the hand holding it.  

 

Now repeat down the other side of the sequine strip.

 

*-------*---------*---------*

 

*-------*----------*--------*

 

The asterisks are your stitches along the outside edges of the strip.  That's all that will show from the outside.  Underneath the layer of fabric is your running stitch from asterisk to asterisk.

 

Holding the fabric around your fingers (fist) will give the strip of sequines enough room/play to accommodate the flexibility of the fabric.

 

Remove your original basting thread.

 

Clear - like mud?  :)

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Haha ok think I've got it!! I'm not much of a sewer (sew-er rather than the pipes underground!) so I've got a feeling I'll struggle with the whole holding stretched whilst sewing aspect but I'll certainly give it a go! Wonder if I could clamp it stretched onto something!

 

Will the sequins lie correctly though as once you release the stretch they'll squash up a bit Wong they? Or have I got to make sure I stretch it just the right amount?!

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