Prisca712
Beginner
ON CANADA
Member since 7/9/05
Posts: 64 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/8/08 8:56 PM Hi ladies, I have an event coming up and I'm thinking of making a red cheongsam-style top (I found the most gorgeous red jacquard at, of all places, Wal-Mart, for $3.88/meter). I've been researching actual cheongsams and found that, while a lot do have frog closures, some have something called ribbon closures, (you can see the different types here)
Pretty, no?  If possible, I would absolutely *love* to have these on the final outfit, but I don't know how to make them - I've seen stuff on making ball-and-frog closures, but nothing on these type. Does anyone have any info or idea on how I'd go about constructing something like this? I think I know how to get the multicolour effect (just layer the fabric/ribbon before constructing), but other than that I'm not sure. Thanks in advance ------
Born to sew! |
Sophiecat
Intermediate
OR USA
Member since 1/27/06
Posts: 827 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Prisca712
Date: 1/9/08 3:02 AM Hi Prisca712,
If you would like to try something different, I can highly recommend two of Lois Ericson's books: "Opening & Closing" and "The Great Put On." Both have many unusual fastenings, and ideas for many more.
Good luck!
Regards,
Sophiecat ------
Well-behaved women rarely make history.
Laurel Ulrich |
sewmumma
Advanced
AUSTRALIA
Member since 3/4/04
Posts: 2 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/9/08 4:58 AM Hi Prisca712,
Don't know if this will be of any help but last year I wanted to add frog closures to PJ's and also wanted something a little different. After researching i decided to try to copy some I'd seen. Firstly I found a site that gave simple instructions on how to tie the knot (such ashttp://members.tripod.com/~perfectpatterns/frogs.html) . Then i just found a clear picture of the design that i wanted( in my case I chose the Pipa Ribbon Button from your reference page) and fiddled until I had what I wanted.
It really wasn't hard at all. I used "rattail"for mine, but flat bias tubing should work just as well and it would allow you to have the two colour effect.
Also found this page ...it may help
50 Heirloom Buttons to Make
arilyn
-- Edited on 1/9/08 8:58 AM -- |
greco
Expert/Couture
AL USA
Member since 8/7/07
Posts: 371 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/9/08 7:09 AM Check out this supply site.
I have so many sources, most, like this one, I rarely use. I just happened to get this email this morning about a sale going on at this site and I had just read your post, so I thought I'd pass it on. They have a lot of gadgets stuff and good pricing. Click on the site and scroll all the way down the product list. You'll see them listed as Chinese Knot templates. You may have to sign up to the email list or something to place the order but they have neat things and they send sale notifications weekly only, so it's not a bothersome site to sign up to. Hope this will work for you. JF http://jhittlesewing.funoverload.com/sewing/specials/page_1.html
|
Stephanie Corina Goddard
Expert/Couture
MD USA
Member since 3/28/04
Posts: 135 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Prisca712
Date: 1/9/08 7:59 AM Can't help you with the folding and tucking, but I do have several cards of these in my button stash. A friend bought them at a quilting show, so I didn't get a chance to query the seller.
I can tell you that mine are made from bias-cut strips sewn into a flat "tube" by bringing the raw edges into the center and topstitching. As such, they are much beefier than ribbon you buy by the spool. The fabric is silk-like in texture but looks more like a synthetic.
The most interesting ones have two colors, one on each side of the flat tube. Some of them have a wire inside to assist with complex shaping......which is probably why they're still in my stash and not on a garment. They would probably need to be detached for laundering.  ------
Stephanie Corina Goddard |
mastdenman
 
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 5843 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/9/08 10:20 AM Here's some links to instructions for making Chinese knots:
Chineseknotting.org
HOw to make a string button
Chinese knotting ------
Marilyn
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
|
Prisca712
Beginner
ON CANADA
Member since 7/9/05
Posts: 64 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/9/08 10:40 AM Hi ladies, thanks so much for the replies so far!
sophiecat - Thanks for the book recommendations! I'm always on the lookout for new ideas so these should be nice
sewmumma - That's definitely helpful - thanks for the links! I never really paid too much attention to Google Books, but I may have to start doing so! It's really good to know that it's something that can be figured out with some fiddling.
greco -  Oh my, I think you've just become my personal Enabler of the Week...that site is SO COOL! Thanks so much for the link (I've never seen this before) - those templates do look nifty! Haha, my poor mum...after the school year's over I'm going to come back home with a truckload of random sewing gadget (Mum: "What is all this??" Me: "Um...well I found this cool site with sewing stuff..." Mum: "Wait, but what's that for? You don't even quilt!!" Me: "Oh these? Um...they were kinda on sale...we can learn quilting together...or something." *gives winning smile*)
Stephanie - Thank you SO MUCH for that description! After I read your post a total lightbulb went off in my head - looking at them, it makes *total* sense that they'd be made with wire! After I read it I did some quick Googling and found some surprisingly good info from an Ebay store that sells these. From the site:
Quote:
This particular button is hand-made with artificial silk fabric. Made in China. Unlike most frog buttons sold online, this button is completely hand-made by wrapping and sewing silk fabric into a string, and rolled/tied into a knot. Metallic wire was wrapped in the fabric to give excellent shape retention. It also allows you to change its shape to your preference.
Emphasis mine. So not only does the wire keep the shape, it makes it customizable! Very cool Now that I have a slighter clearer idea, I think I may try to make mockups with bias strips from some scrap fabric and some wire. Now to figure out what gauge wire to get...
Thanks again, you were all extremely helpful - thanks to you I went from seeing these and going 'wha??' to actually having an idea about how to make them ------
Born to sew! |
Stephanie Corina Goddard
Expert/Couture
MD USA
Member since 3/28/04
Posts: 135 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Prisca712
Date: 1/9/08 4:24 PM Glad to be of assistance 
Check out florists' wire -- it's soft, easily cut, and probably not going to rust (feels like aluminum?). It's used to make corsages, so it's not too "pokey". I would still recommended removing the frogs before laundering.
For multiple frogs: draw a template, tape it over a pinnable surface like foam-board, and then insert straight pins to help wrap/bend over the template. Another option would be a "wire jig" used by jewelry makers. ------
Stephanie Corina Goddard |
Prisca712
Beginner
ON CANADA
Member since 7/9/05
Posts: 64 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/9/08 9:47 PM mastdenman - For some reason I didn't see your post when I posted my reply - thanks for those links! That second link is probably the clearest demo I've seen on how to make the little ball buttons, so it'll definitely come in handy
Stephanie - Thanks for the extra pointers! I'll be on the lookout for florist's wire, and I *love* that suggestion on the template! I've been able to find some great pictures of what I want, so I have a basis. ------
Born to sew! |
|Login|Help]
Printable Version
