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HELP gaiters/knee-high spats costume part won't stay up
Sewandwrite   Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 5/16/08 Posts: 677	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 8:36 PM Made a great pair of knee-high spats for a steampunk dance coming up soon. But they keep slipping down the gent's leg. I don't want to cut off his circulation, but he'll be dancing in them (over pants, of course). What's the secret of keeping them up? Elastic at the top? A buckle? Just a really tight fit? The spats are made of a fairly stiff cotton with a coarse weave. At the gent's request, they are fastened with Velcro up the side. We'll be adding buttons on the outside.
Michelle T Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 4178	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 9:54 PM If they are knee high, you should be able to attach them (elastic or tie) below the knee above the fullest past of the calf and they should not fall down. DH has hiking gaiters that attach with a choice of snaps just below his knee and there is no problem with them falling. ------ Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7401	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewandwrite Like this post Date: 1/8/12 10:37 PM Well, they are traditionally very fitted and contoured, and one option was to button them to the britches. That kind of arrangement should keep them in place.
nicegirl Intermediate DC USA Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 1611	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/8/12 10:50 PM I made some mermaid fins that were essentially gaiters. I used boning along the sides to keep them up. ------ http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com ================= 2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+ So close to parity, yet so far Trying again in 2008 Yards purchased: 133 Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95 2009? I give up
nicegirl Intermediate DC USA Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 1611	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 10:51 PM Oh, and by boning I mean long cable ties from Home Depot. Much cheaper and already straight (instead of curled up, like the plastic boning from Joann). ------ http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com ================= 2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+ So close to parity, yet so far Trying again in 2008 Yards purchased: 133 Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95 2009? I give up
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4391	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewandwrite Like this post Date: 1/9/12 0:01 AM Can you run after-the-fact clear elastic loops from the top of spats to a small button inside of his pants? And, I don't want to hear about it if you try this and then everything falls down Really, I don't I use a product called It Stays to keep ace bandages in place around my knee. Or, I use a product on my knee called Kinesio tape instead of an Ace Bandage. It is totally feasible to use Kinesio tape to make little self adhered garter type connections. Both of these ideas would require a smooth leg. Loving the cable ties nicegirl. Great idea. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6998	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewandwrite Like this post Date: 1/9/12 0:19 AM I'd suggest elastic, but above the knee. They're like leg warmers and leg warmers fit without elastic if the top portion is tight enough to fit around the knee, and there is some give to them, such as being knitted. I've knitted several pair of leg warmers for winter; this is how I know. Your spats are of a heavier material than a knitted yarn, so you need something a little more strong, such as 1/4" wide elastic. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
Sewandwrite   Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 5/16/08 Posts: 677	Login to reply to this post In reply to a7yrstitch Like this post Date: 1/9/12 3:54 PM Quote: a7yrstitch Can you run after-the-fact clear elastic loops from the top of spats to a small button inside of his pants? And, I don't want to hear about it if you try this and then everything falls down Really, I don't LOL! Well, he's wearing braces (button-on suspenders) to keep his britches up, so I hope the spats won't put that much pressure on the pants. Love the ideas! Button-and-loops, 1/4" elastic (which might fit nicely into the 1/2" SA turned down at the top and stitched at 3/8") , and Nicegirl's innovative cable tie boning. Anyone else want to weigh in?
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2471	Login to reply to this post In reply to nicegirl Like this post Date: 1/9/12 7:42 PM Quote: nicegirl Oh, and by boning I mean long cable ties from Home Depot. Much cheaper and already straight (instead of curled up, like the plastic boning from Joann). I also use cable ties for all my serious boning. You need the thick ones, not the wee little zip ties. But I really wanted to say that there's a super-simple solution to the curl in featherweight boning that comes curled up: You can iron it. Press cloth, obviously (or just iron it in the casing it comes in), but it'll flatten right out and behave much more honorably. ------ ~Gem in the prairie
Sauvage   Advanced Beginner MA USA Member since 7/22/09 Posts: 545	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 11:08 PM Quote: by boning I mean long cable ties from Home Depot Can I just say I really like this site (and how often do you read anything about "spats" these days)? Are there a lot of women out on the town in lovely gowns reinforced with Home Depot cable ties?? Oh and I do have one suggestion, not something I've used much myself. Costume people sometimes use body tape (probably mostly as backup): Body tape ------ Jeanne "Let me live in a world of image and I will never complain." --Louise Bourgeois

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