I really, really needed to find something to lace my red velvet gown, and went to 3 different stores only to end up with black twill tape. *curses* At least it’s better than the horrible synthetic cord I was using as a stop-gap measure!
But, on my trip I found some awesome cut worked and couched ribbon….for what purpose I’m not exactly sure, but it’s certainly on my mental checklist of “could be awesome for something”; (I think it was $5.99/yd, but would be totally affordable with a 50% coupon. I’ll be on the lookout for Hobby Lobby coupons for the next little while!) There was also a ‘latte’ color that was pretty as well.
I also saw this awesome red and gold fabric on sale for $7/yd. I know you won’t believe me but I did not buy it. But it was pretty, so I thought I’d share: (Also found at Hobby Lobby)
What I did buy was a ‘pet hair remover sponge’, which I have only tried on a little piece of fabric, but seems to be working well. I am always on a hunt for new lint/pet hair remover products! (It was originally $6.99, and it was on clearance for $2.15, so not that big of a purchase if it doesn’t work out the way I would like! Hobby Lobby impulse buy.)
Also, on a whim, I bought a spool of ‘memory thread’, which is basically just thread wrapped wire. I’ve been wanting to do a couching project for a while now, and I’m thinking this stuff would couch nicely! (There is a whole range of colors and metallics; though the metallics are a bit….well, cheesy looking. The ‘dark ecru’ is pictured below, and is quite pretty. Oh yeah, I got this at JoAnns)
Because I’ve had such problems with patterns lately, I went to the local Evil Overlord (Wal-Mart) and got 4 Rubbermaid-esque tubs to store my patterns in. Hopefully, this will allow me to be a bit more organized! I also looked for the 8.5x11” baggies, but couldn’t find any….that may have to be an internetz purchase. For now, my gallon-size ziploc bags will work.
I should finish up the other shoulder of my green dress, but I’m going to go wade through my patterns for a minute and see if I can get things organized a bit! Will post pattern updates soon!
Lacing cord/ribbon? Why not a lucet cord? I completely BLOW at lucet (can never figure out how to re-start after stopping, get tied in knots often, and have never done more than an inch successfully), otherwise I'd offer to do it. :( But I do know some people who rock at it (Mom, Marissa, etc) who would probably jump to help. An almost perfect color match could surely be found in flosses and stuffs. Marissa made me a merino wool/silk blend lucet cord for my navy velvet gown and it is SOOOOO awesome.
ReplyDeleteAxshully, I just watched a youtube vid on lucet. I was taught a totally different (and much harder for me) way. I'll try the new method and let you know if I can be of any help.
ReplyDeleteI like my cords to be pretty thick.....the lucet cord I know how to do is far, far too thin for my purposes......and I like super duper duper long cord for my side backs so I don't have to unlace to get out/in. :(
ReplyDeleteThat's coo, it's your dress, you should have what you want. What about something like this? http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/FBRGR13.php
ReplyDeleteI'll have to get with them and see how PITA it would be to make a few yards of lucet/if it could be thicker than what I can do......I just don't want to put anyone out!
ReplyDeleteLucet is always square. So if you want something wider, but flat... that's problematic. It's awesome for cord, because the texture is grabby, not slippery like that cheapass rayon cord. But if you prefer ribbon style, it's not a good fit. But it was an idea. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and here are silk ribbons that aren't hand dyed, and therefore cheaper: http://www.threadart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=46
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous you guys have Hobby Lobby. I went to one in Texas once, and it was pretty kick ass. It's not like it's better than what's out here, it's just in order to get the same kind of selection, you have to go to three or four different stores, whereas it's all in one place at Hobby Lobby. Stupid Joann's needs to give up it's corner of the market here in California and let in some competition!
ReplyDeleteAs for lacing cord, do you have a friend who would be willing to do finger-loop cords for you as a laurel gift? When Francis was Laureled, a friend of his did about a bazillion cords as her contribution to his elevation outfit... Surely someone you know could crank out two yards? Heck, I'll see if I have anything that might match in our cord stash and send it to you... How much do you think you will need? A yard for each side? Anything to avoid twill tape or that awful nylon ribbon you get by the spool at Joann's!
ReplyDeleteAnd if nothing else, my fall-back is to use the black cord you find in the jewelry aisle at Joann's. It's the kind that come pre-packaged in 3 yard lengths...
Hobby Lobby is my weakness....I love it! I'm with you about JoAnn's....they've killed off pretty much every other worthwhile store in my area as well!
ReplyDeleteGah! My reply got eaten! Re-do!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I bought some floss to fingerloop button loops for the sleeves, but since I'm kind of hating button-on sleeves right now, I may transform that purchase into lacing. (Whether I con someone else to do it or I do it myself is up for debate....)
I generally don't stray in to the jewelry aisle(s), that's Aines realm - I'll have to go check it out as a possibility for the future!
As far as stash goes, I'd be more than happy to purchase or trade if you happen to have something on hand that you can part with......may I send you a swatch?
You can always build thicker pieces by using multiple strands of yarn/thread and looping them simultaneously or lucetting an already lucetted cord. You can also spin cord with a drill and then lucet it. I've done pretty thick pieces that way
ReplyDeleteAlso, I could do you some kumihimo cords on my murudai (either flat or round) or fingerloop braids if you'd like some. I'm making lacing cords for my dress soon anyway. Not that there probably isn't a big of' line of people with the same skills wanting to help. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you temptress!
ReplyDeleteIf it wouldn't interfere with the IRCC, I would be forever (and ever and ever) grateful for some cord! I think either fingerloop or kumihimo would work fabulously....which method is easier for you to create? *squee & hugs*
ReplyDeleteFingerloop are faster, but kumihimo lets me do longer pieces that are more consistant. It just depends on what you want length and widthwise.
ReplyDeleteI see you have some friends who have offered to make cords for you. YAY! My ploy worked. ;) Which is just as well because I dug through our cord stash and couldn't find anything that was either long enough or the right color...
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