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Bryan Gilles Inner circle Northern California 1732 Posts |
I am building a couple different projects that require Spandex. Do I need to worry about a hem or will it look too bulky? One project is an OLEP table. I will not give specifics; however, if you are a magician familiar with this illusion, you will know what I am talking about... Does Spandex come in different thickness? What is the best way to secure it around the edges to avoid freying the material?
Bryan |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Yes, it comes in many different thicknesses.
The easiest way to keep it from fray is to use the salvedge edge on the opening. Take the other edge and glue it with contact cement to a thin stick the length of the fabric. Roll the fabric around the stick once or twice and then nail or otherwise attach the whole thing to the prop. If you try to hem this stuff you will go nuts, unless you use a stretch hem. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
First, I agree completly with what richard said. You have one other option, I think I know where you are trying to go with the, and without giving anything away, you could cover the frayed edge with a piping or a solid bar screwed into place etc.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Try to find a local seamstress wtih a Serger machine. That will give a more finished edge without the bulk from a folded hem. You should be able to just have them sew the edges you need without fear of revealing anything of the workings. I do agree that using the selvedge edge is the best choice if you have it, but some spandex fabrics have a rather "lose" or thiin selvedge, and the fabric lay and line does not look right.
The couple dollars you spend for the sewing services will save on the frustration level!
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Bryan Gilles Inner circle Northern California 1732 Posts |
Great advice guys!!!
It's off to Fabricland I go!!! Bryan |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Lucy and I simply use a heavy duty stapling machine when it is over wood.
Bob and Lucy Sanders Magic By Sander |
magicjohn2278 Special user Isle of Man UK 544 Posts |
Any advice on what type of material to go for? There seems to be a vast selection available! (Black predictably!)
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Spandex comes in several weights, and amounts of stretchy-ness. I do not know of any fabric store that will not let you handle the fabric- just be sure your hands are clean first!! ;}
You can ask the nice shop helpers, and tell them you want it to stretch so far, and spring back, what other properties you need- sometimes for a more dull finish, you will use the back side rather than the front, etc. Go touch and feel and pull and tug and see what does what you want, ask for a sample snip if you need to match color or check things- you can get a few square cm's to fiddle with and see if it is what you need. (At least, that is how the shops here in the US do it, in the UK, they might work a bit differently!) k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Herrick, Jeff New user 72 Posts |
Is there anything in print about the use of spandex in Illusions.
Jeff
I'm not looking to be a big star in magic
and that's working out REALLY good so far. |
kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Paul Osborne books list its use. There may be others but that is the set that I have.
k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Herrick, Jeff New user 72 Posts |
Thanks K Jeff
I'm not looking to be a big star in magic
and that's working out REALLY good so far. |
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