Hello!

If you iron celophane will it fuse together, and possibly to a very lightweight silk fabric... even temporarily (its for "art" and will be secured in a secondary way. also washability isn't a concern.)

or is it just the wrong kind of plastic?  if so.. any transparent lightweight glue that you'd recommend?

Many Thanks!

neat.   it is horizontal stipes though, and I fear the "matching" factor... but you've given me a bit to think about... so I'll give it a go.   THANKS!

So, I got a bunch of tank tops at Old navy which I loved until the got shrunk in the wash, not the width way, but lengthwise.... and I don't have an interest in baring my middrift.  Normally I'd just insert a piece in the shoulder to drop it down,  but they are cut low enough for serious cleavage flashing, and the armpits would fall into the "80's men's athletic tank" style, which is also not a desired plan. 

Does anyone have any ideas for re-constructing these?  I have about 8 of the same tank tops, so some can be sacrifieced to the greater wardrobe.  They are stretchy, cotton, ribbed, and mostly striped fabric. I don't have a serger, so any stitch recommendations to that I don't tear out my hard work while wearing would also be helpful.

you can also rivet/ chicago screw the buckle hardware on... and use a nail-punch to start the holes for the eyelets.. which you can use as a decorative element, along with spikes, studs, more rivets, and whatever else you want.

I have (had?) several lighter duty ones... but they don't seem to accomodate the industrial variety of snaps.  Good to know that it exists... maybe I need to google for upholstery suppliers...

Hello,
I am looking for an alternative to the 'hammer/tap and die' indutrial snap setting method.  I've had nothing but smooshed snaps, and ineffective snaps, and just plain old bad luck.  I also need to do alot of them...  so hammering, will probably annoy my housemates.

I'd love to know if anyone knows of or has found a light commercial snap setter? or even one of those vice-grip-like snap setters, for industrial/heavy duty snaps.

Any hints, tricks, tips, ideas?

For the record:  there was lots of boning questions early on, but I don't think anyone answered them- so here's what i know.

Plastic boning:  light weight. You can sew through it, and cut and file the edges.   I hate the stuff, personally, because body heat causes it to reform itself, or curl.

Steel boning:  two kinds, Spring, and Spiral.

-Spring steel is like a flat metal bar... usually/sometimes requires cutting and metal filing, and tool dipping (buy at Home Depot/etc).  though many times you can get it cut to size, and finished appropriately. This stuff can kink or otherwise behave wonkily if treated brutally...though some folks swear by this stuff as the strongest, bested boning...  el cheapo version is steel straping - which you can pick up at lumber yards for free-cut, file, and use tool dip, and several pieces per boning channel.  

-Spiral steel is more like flat braided twisted wires.  agains witht he finishing, though they sell "caps" for this type of boning that makes it a bit easier.  This is my favourite type of boning... because it is steel, so it hold up like nobody's business, but because of the woven factor, it moves, or snakes with you, giving you a little bit more freedom of breathe and movement.  This also allows you to make a boning channel that has curves... for some later corset patterns.

Anyway, Your corset looks awesome, and if this is your first project, I'd love to see what you are making next!  (not to mention you are a girl after my one heart -- nothing like a crafty trial by fire to prove something to yourself!

You could... (test it on a disposable thrift shirt.)  take a potion of the sleeve... (upper arm, or lower) snip it in half, and just insert a contrasting piece of fabric -- for a punk rock tip you could screenprint or embroider on the contrasting band.
OR, find some material much like the white shirt, and some piping, and do the same thing, only use piping at the seams, and white for the insert)

Good luck!