Aliyyah

Any tips on how to attach an applique (sequin swirl patterns with the stiff backing) to a lycra skirt? Also, when making a lycra form fitting skirt, is it usual to put in a lining for dancing or not? If so, what lining is best? Thanks!

Shanazel

If you want to line a lycra skirt to keep light from shining through it, you might consider using the kind on lining that is used to line swimsuits, which are also made of lycra. As for appliques, stabilize the part of the skirt that is to be decorated with non stretchable interfacing to prevent the skirt from stretching and popping the applique. You'd have to make sure there was still enough stretch to get the skirt off and on, of course.

Aliyyah

Thank you, Shanazel. I'll try your suggestions. On a related note, have you ever tried to decorate lycra with the iron-on metallic decorations or the sticky-backed press-on "gems"? I was thinking they might fall off easily, but I'd like to hear from someone who has used them.

Shanazel

I always prefer stitches to glue. If you try the iron on thingies, make sure the lycra will take the heat needed to make them adhere. Too much heat and the stuff will melt.

Jane

When you sew the appliques on I'd hand sew it for stretch fabric. The feed dogs on the machine might pull the fabric out of shape. Sewing shops sell jewels with holes to sew them on. I'd use these instead of trying to glue them on. Even sequin glue will break down and stretch fabric will pop them right off. Good luck!

Aliyyah

Thank you both. I'll hand sew everything. Even though it will take longer, hopefully it will pay off in the long run.

Jane

Yep, it'll last longer and you'll have less stress during performances worrying about costume parts coming off. If you can, buy a few extra bits so if they ever do come off, or look worn, you can replace them. It's easier to buy a little extra fabric and trims for later repairs when you are first making a costume; it's a real pain to try to find matching replacement bits a couple of years down the road. Some of this stuff comes and goes. I keep a zip lock bag with scrap fabric and extra parts for each costume so I don't have to dig for what goes with what. Will you post pics when you're done?

Aliyyah

I sure will! Thanks for the tips!

nitewindz

The cool thing about lycra is .. it stretches! But, iron on metallic decorations, press-on gems, and firm-backed sequin appliques don't stretch.
When a non-stretchy is applied to a stretchy, the stretchy will no longer stretch, because it's affixed to the non-stretchy. This can be a good thing or a bad one.

I applied sequin appliques to a stretch velvet dress by putting the dress on and pinning the appliques in place, then taking the dress off and on (to make sure I didn't need more stretch to do that). When the dress was off, the fabric under the appliques looked a bit puckered, but not a lot. I sewed them on by hand, stretching the fabric as necessary so that the applique stayed in place.

I bought a fabulous beaded dress with cut outs. It fit like a glove when I tried it on. But as I wore it prancing around the house it began to s-t-r-e-t-c-h ...side to side and up and down, and grew about 4 inches in 15 minutes. This was a bad thing, as I bought the dress used for half price ($400 instead of $800) but "as is no returns". So I applied interfacing and sheer mesh fabric inside the stomach cut outs to stabilize them. It worked like a charm! I've worn the dress several times, and it no longer stretches lengthwise. It does fit more snuggly around my middle, but it's still a good fit. So in this case, the reduced stretch was good.