Teal Belt, part 2: belt

Much as I’d like to be verbose, and do a huge post detailing step by step what I was doing, the truth is, I pretty much followed the same steps outlined in my Tribal Belt post, here http://curvy-hips.com/?p=241 With some modifications, which I’ll outline below

• shape: instead of having a deep V at the front, and the front and back cut equally, I made the front piece go from hipbone to hipbone, to account for the medallions, and be straight; the back piece was made with a slight curve to account for my hips, so it looks a bit like a dipped front. I am still using that first pattern I obtained ages ago, just chopping in different parts to get the shape/effect I want.
• materials: as I suspect the very first belt I made using denim might be stretching, this time I made the base using a double layer of denim and calico, to provide extra strength and support for all the metal trinkets. I did rolled hems with the serger on each piece to make sure it didn’t fray.
• eyelets: this time I left plenty of room for them, and laid out the panels to take the lacing area into account; next time I should try to take the eyelets closer to the bones
• bones: I am still using cable ties
• bones bling: I decided to use some Preciosa Czech crystals to add some extra bling to the back, and to that effect, I glued them onto small bronze flowers and sewed them over the boning channels; the ones in the front by the medallions are there to carry the motif onto the front panel
• medallions: I described the process for these in detail here: http://curvy-hips.com/?p=1361
• beading: same as described in the bra tutorial http://curvy-hips.com/?p=839
• drapes: the drapes are not shown on the photos, but are similar to the stomach drape covered in the beading progress http://curvy-hips.com/?p=887  and are, of course, detachable; I am toying with the idea of stringing bells on a cord and make those detachable too, in case I want something a bit more ethnic and a bit less fusion/tribaret, although right now, with the amount of bling the belt has, I’m afraid it’s a bit too late for that

So, what’s left to do? A mermaid skirt in teal stretch velvet, although I will be using a different material this time. And hopefully I will also be able to use this set as part of an ATS costume, with purple and teal skirts and the white lace choli that I made back in May and haven’t photographed yet.