Hello DIYers!
I've decided I'd like to try making some cowrie shell and coin arm bands, ones that fit on the upper arm and have the coins dangling down, with shells as additional decoration. My first thought was to grab the lovely bit of shisha mirror fabric band I'd bought at a recent tribal festival -- it's perfect, but it leaves me wondering what I would use as a fastener for it that (a) would allow for any arm size changes (*ahem* flabby triceps *ahem*) and (b) would be tight enough to stay put and (c) could be fastened with one hand.
Should I just find a stretchy fabric and use that as a base so there's no need for any fastening and closures? What say you guys?
I've decided I'd like to try making some cowrie shell and coin arm bands, ones that fit on the upper arm and have the coins dangling down, with shells as additional decoration. My first thought was to grab the lovely bit of shisha mirror fabric band I'd bought at a recent tribal festival -- it's perfect, but it leaves me wondering what I would use as a fastener for it that (a) would allow for any arm size changes (*ahem* flabby triceps *ahem*) and (b) would be tight enough to stay put and (c) could be fastened with one hand.
Should I just find a stretchy fabric and use that as a base so there's no need for any fastening and closures? What say you guys?
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 5:37 AMGOOD IDEA!!!!! I have been wanting some of those and it didn't even cross my mind to make them! DUH!
Hmmm.... I'm not an expert but I am capable.... I would try a WIDE elastic so it doesn't pinch and as the elastic wears out or you change - you can easily change the elastic - what I have in my pantaloons is about 2 and a half inches wide - no muffin top -
That's my 2 cents - inexpensive to try it!
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 6:53 AMI wouldn't worry about making a closure -- just sew some elastic to the back of the shisha fabric & sew the fbric ends together (to make the band/tube). Then you can just pull it on & off and it'll withstand your arm size changes. Make sure you use the non-roll elastic for some stability. -
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 7:23 AMOhhh, fantastic idea, thank you! I wonder what I can do to cover the gap that might be visible between the ends of the shisha fabric, where the elastic might show through? OOOH, I guess I could overlap the shisha fabric just enough that the ends would mostly meet and cover it. Yeah, that might work.
And Shannon, thanks for the tip about the elastic. And yeah, it was a DUH moment for me, too, last night as I was trying on a new skirt I bought. I noticed how bare my arms are and thinking how my next purchases for bellydance stuff might be bracelets and such, and then suddenly I realized...I have shisha fabric in my hand...I have a bunch of cowrie shells...and I know how to sew...DUH. -
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 7:27 AM:) I have about a half gallon of cowrie shells and SKIENS of yarn out the wazoo and YARDS of fabric.
Also - to hide the "connection" that's where your dangly hangy-down stuff could be to hide it. Dangle off the top - and it's hidden! -
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:17 AMi am having a hard time picturing how one would sew the elastic onto the back? would the fabric bunch up? -
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:19 AMIf you sew the elastic unstretched then it won't bunch up the fabric. Just sew the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric, and the little part of it that shows between the ends of the fabric will be the only stretchy part :)
Just make sure not to stretch the elastic when sewing it down, and you'll be just fine!
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:43 AMAnd the closer the fabric size is to the arm size the less bunching -
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Re: Arm bands
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 2:16 PMI've seen some gorgeous ones in stretch velvet and chiffon with coins attached and they seem to stay up ok :)
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Re: Arm bands
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 11:04 AMI recently made some by cutting up a leather belt, adding shells & coins and sewing a tie to each end, they don't seem to be staying up too well though because they are heavy. any suggestions for attaching the elastic to a leather band?
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