Backing bead work?

[Mariposa]

Its me again, folks! just need a few ideas....I'm almost done with this belt, and its gonna be about 30 inches...yeah, I was once a size 23 in waist....(about 20 years ago) now I need help on what to do next as far as mounting it to make it into a belt..I originally thought of backing it with some kind of vinyl, or fun foam or buckskin, then looking for a place that would sell me a strip of 3" x 30" strip of leather...any ideas?

[MissTlingitAchievement]

Well, I didn't make a belt, but I made a crown. I know I used fun foam on it and it worked so well! My crown stays up right at all times, it is easy to fold and pack away. Plus I was able to super glue pieces together and it is strong. So I would think that fun foam would be a good one to use. It comes in so many different colors. It isn't easy to rip apart, sturdy and strong. Plus if you use the fun foam and fasten your beading together, then over the parts you glued, you could do some more beading and cover it up. With my crown, you can not even tell where I glued it together.
But that is just my opinion.

[luvstraightdancrs]

I don't make belts but have several made. The lady that made ours makes a sleeve (tube) from cotton or similar material that goes around the belt and the length of the beadworks strip. Beadwork strip is then whipstitched onto the cloth. Stays in place and can be changed if a different length of belt is needed in the future.

Also, some folks take the belt to a shoe shoe and have them sew the leather with needle only (make holes) and then sew the strip to the belt with heavy thread.

Another friend also uses the rubberized crib sheets as backing. Doesn't tear, hold up extremely well and doesn't require heavy backing. Holds it shape too. Another plus, looks sort of like leather and dampness doesn't hurt it either.

Never heard of anyone here using fun foam - I would be afraid that with all the holes in it, it would eventually fall to pieces.

That's what I know. LOL!:)

[luvs_2_pw]

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MATERIAL OR BUCKSKIN....
WELL IF YOUR A POW-WOW PERSON.......I THINK MATERAIL WORKS WELL. YOU CAN CLEAN IT OFTEN OR CHANGE THE BACKING OFTEN.
FOR BUCKSKIN.. I THINK IT'S NICE FOR PIECE'S THAT WON'T GET WET ....IN ANYWAY OR IT MIGHT START HARDINING AND GET DIRTY ..
BUT I HOPE THIS HELPS A LIL..:)

[Blackbear]

Here is just an idea, I have'nt tried it nor do I know anyone that has..but it just kinda came to me...Joannes sells the belt and back pack ribbing in both cotton and vinyl... Now see I made this little back pack for this beautiful little girl for her birthday and the pattern called for sewing ribbon over the ribbing and made it look great...so I don't think it would be too hard to bead the stuff and then back it with a lighter cloth or even ribbon.. the only problem is you will be limited on how wide your beadwork will be. But it probably would also make an excellent and sturdy backer for a loomed belt as well. And you can also make the ends so they fit in a buckle.

[~*~MizzQaqimat~*~]

Well the crown I have now is backed with white buckskin. It has been passed from one princess to the next for several years. All the sweating from the forehead makes it so dirty! I wouldn't use leather for it. You might consider backing the belt with some thick velvet, but I think that would be kinda hot...the vinyl is good though, you can quickly wash it if it gets dirty. I also use the fun foam, but I back my pieces with cloth or canvas, so that my stitches in the foam don't show. Canvas is good too! lol

Kim