Big Beading Bash! Hands-on Technology Session Fort Worth 2014

Hands-On Tambour Beading Session 2014

Now that you have had a chance to read about our featured beading experts Polley Kinney and Lalon Alexander in the February USITT Sightlines it's time to pack your bags and toss in a few tambour beading supplies so that you can join in the fun of the big beading bash

In keeping with the tradition that the hands-on technology sessions provide something for every skill level and interests I have created a supply list that I think you will find easy to acquire and will travel lightly.


For the true tambour beading beginner we will provide a station that will focus on the foundation chain stitch using a small crochet hook and size 6 beads.

The beginner packing lists:

1. a medium embroider hoop
2. pearl cotton thread or craft thread               
3. a small amount of size 6 seed beads
4. large eye beading needle
5. a size 8,9 or 10 steel crochet hook

For the intermediate beader we will provide several stations that will explore the latch hook technique.  Including sequins, opaque fabrics and theatrical short cuts.

The latch hook packing lists:

1. Clover latch hook OR Lacis 9m latch hook
2. medium embroidery hoop
3. thread & beading needle
4. seed bead and sequins (small amount)                                                 

The experienced beader --or perhaps more accurately described as the needle work expert who has successfully mastered other types of bead work or crochet and would like to try tambour beading more seriously-- This shopping list is for you.



The traditional tambour beading shopping list:


1. tambour needle 
2. medium embroidery hoop
3. quality sewing thread
4. a small amount of seed beads (6,8,11)
5. a small amount of sequins 

   

   This tambour needle can be purchase from

   
   

   Lacis.com

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

6.  beading needle

 

latch hook technique

traditional tambour technique using a Clover hoop

chain stitch with a crochet hook and netting

This session will also provide a station dedicated to learning how to properly mark out a design to be sent to a professional beader. 

The supplies needed for the "mark out" station are as follows:

1. colored pencils. pens
2. paper
3. ruler or straight edge

 I am excited to see all of you in Fort Worth this year.  I will be providing some fabrics, beads and needles but I am counting on all of you to help make this session a success.

 Please share any resources you may discover with me as you pack your bags and head for Texas.

USITT Hands-On Technology Session 2011

The Hands-On Technology Session was a great success and a lot of fun this year. Vice-Commissioner for Technology, Regina Truhart, would like to give a big shout out to all of the talented demonstrators who participated in this years millinery session.  Colleen, Jana, Mark, Jessica, Ricky and Brian not only did a great job but they all donated the supplies needed to put on such a great session. 

Click on the video to see more!

How to Clean Your Belly Dance Costume--The Rukshana Method

Submitted by:
Gail Wolfenden-Steib Phonenix AZ
Free Lance Painter/Dyer &
Costume Technician

Get your dirty costume or get your costume dirty…..

Get a plastic tub (bigger the better—you want room to suspend the costume) of room temp water with mild detergent (ivory snow or something without bleach) or synthropol (my favorite—it traps dye particles)

Get a towel(s) you don’t care about

The Bra Top
• If the cup is made of buckram (white meshy looking stuff)….
• Spot clean the interior with soap and water or a bit of stain stick using an old wash cloth (test for color fastness first!)
• Swish it quickly in the tub of water/soap. You can let the straps linger a bit longer in the water. Rinse in room temp tap water (not hot, not cold)
• Pat it dry with the towel. You may or may not have color bleed so don’t use your best towel for this number.
• Find a surface you can pin a wet bra to that will not hate you afterwards and is reasonably stiff. Homosote board with plastic cover, bulletin board with plastic, sofa pillow with plastic—you get the idea…
• Pin the bra flat and taught on the board. Stuff the cups to shape. If you don’t, you’ll have fun funky shapes when they dry. This is bad. If you are in a wet place (I’m not—deserts have perks) put a fan on it so it has help drying.
• Repeat process as needed. It’s better to wash the item a couple of times than to leave it soak until you have an idea of how it behaves in water. Be sure to change out the water when it gets yucky with dye or dirt.

The Belts
• Spot clean the interior with soap and water or a bit of stain stick using an old wash cloth (test for color fastness first!)
• I do not recommend submerging these unless they are really foul. Most belts are made on the buckram base and long exposure to water is a bad idea. If you do have to clean one, it’s a quick swish in the soapy tub and fast rinse. Be sure to pin back into shape as they dry.

The Skirts
• Most fabrics from the mid east run like no tomorrow. It’s very important to test for color fastness before attempting to wash.
• Synthropol is highly recommended for this part!
• If it’s suitably color fast, swish in the tub for about 30 seconds then rinse.
• Lay it onto a thick towel and roll it to get the water out. Do NOT wring. Repeat as necessary, changing towels in between if there is a lot of color transfer. Be sure to fold the towel up so the skirt isn’t rolling onto itself.
• Lay flat to dry on a towel. Once it’s just damp you can drape it over a clothes line or hang it to finish drying. In some wet climates you’ll never get it to dry on the towel.
• Repeat process as needed. It’s better to wash the item a couple of times than to leave it soak until you have an idea of how it behaves in water. Be sure to change out the water when it gets yucky with dye or dirt.

Ombre dyed tribal skirts
These big layered skirts can be washed but you can only wash one color at a time. Follow the steps for the basic skirt on each half. You will have dye transferring on these so use big old towels. Lay flat to dry. Once it’s mostly dry/damp you can hang it to finish drying. The reason you dry them flat is to prevent and more bias dip on the hem. They never are even and if you hang it wet it’ll only make it worse.

Metal Beads
A quick tip on the care of those pesky plastic beads that lose their silver, gold or general color—buy paint pens from your local hobby shop and recolor them. My brand of choice is Testors. You can find a variety of colors nowadays. Sometimes they are by the scrapbooking supplies.

Removing Pen Marks
Hairspray will remove pen marks on most fabric. I hate it when beading either comes loose or you alter a garment to find they drew the design on in ink pen. Spray hairspray on the offending mark so it pools and let it sit (over a jar is always good if at all possible so the spray has a place to drip into)—blot with clean towel. Repeat as needed. As always check for color fastness on an out of the way area.

USITT Ohio Valley Regional Conference

Draping Techniques Using the Half-Scale Dress Form

USITT Ohio Valley Regional Conference
September 25, 2010


This session will introduce members to a variety of draping techniques using the Half-Scale Dress form. After a brief introduction by Regina Truhart participants will choose from the following topics:

1. Draping the basic bodice
2. Draping the basic princess line dress
3. Grading your half-scale pattern to full scale
4. How to build your own half-scale dress form


Participants are asked to bring the following items:
1. ½ to 1 full yard of muslin
2. Pins
3. Small scissors
4. Tape
5. Several sheets of plain paper

Half-Scale Dress Forms

Did you know about the dress form company PGM-Pro? Currently I have purchased several of their half-scale female dress forms to use in my "Draping I" classes. The dress forms are relatively inexpensive (approximately $80-100.00) and well made.

I have been using the half-scale dress forms in my classes for about a year now, and to my surprise, the students feel much less intimidated when they set out to conquer a period gown.

This project was created by Starr Slocum, second year MFA student at UC/CCM.

USITT Cincinnati 2009 Costume Challenge

View this video to see the final costume designs created by the participants of the Found-Object Costume Challenge held as part of the national USITT convention in Cincinnati OH last year.

USITT Cincinnati 2009 Costume Challenge

The Found-Object Costume Challenge was a great success! The USITT costume members were asked to create a costume in less than 60 minutes using only paper, plastic, tape and a few other found recycled objects. The results were AMAZING! View the video to see the final presentations of the 80+ members who participated.