I’ve never given much thought to costuming in the steampunk realm, until I did. My sewing fairy godmother once told me that steampunk costumes should have a theme or purpose, and while that might not be the rule for all, it stuck with me. So for my steampunk character, what’s the one hobby I’m pretty passionate about? Sewing! So for my first foray into steampunk, my character is a seamstress. In this post I’m sharing the thread spool bandolier, as it is the focal point of all my steampunk accessories.
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I knew I’d need a boatload of threadspools, prefereably vintage, or vintage looking. But I didn’t want to purchase said boatload. Instead I bought maybe 20 vintage spools on Etsy, had a couple old timers in my craft supplies, and purchased cheap craft spools to make my own. I did have an abundance of poor quality thread I couldn’t bring myself to toss, so they got respooled into glorious steampunkyness!
Craft spools: Hygloss Products Wooden Spools for Arts and Crafts – Splinter Free – Assorted Sizes, 72 Pieces
The spools themselves got a bit of an upgrade. I spray painted the craft spools with antique gold before threading, removed labels from the vintage spools, and glued gears to the tops and bottoms of each spool. It’s a subtlety most people wouldn’t notice, but I know they’re there.
Gears: LolliBeads 120 Gram Antiqued Bronze Metal Skeleton Steampunk Watch Gear Cog Wheel Sets(80pcs)
I love love LOVE buttons, and I’ve been collecting them for decades. So I wanted to include as many of them as possible, and as such, they are all over my steampunk accessories. I thought the bandolier might be heavy and/or uncomfortable on my shoulder, so I made a long oval shoulder pad (similar to the ones on duffel bag straps) to bear that burden. And you bet I sewed buttons all over it! I tried to keep the buttons natural, so I only used the shell, wood, metal, and black buttons from my button jar that looked not plastic. I did supplement my buttons with a couple bulk buys on Amazon as well (like I needed more LOL).
Coconut shell: 100 Pcs Natural Coconut Shell 4 Hole Buttons DIY Crochet Clothe Scrapbooking Sewing Accessories Decorative and Craft Supplies (20mm)
Shell: New Upick 11/13/15/23mm 100pcs Shell Buttons Sewing Craft Buttons 2 Holes (13mm)
I divided the spools into two groups: large gear holes and small gear holes. So for the front of the bandolier I put the spools with the gear holes large enough for 1/2″ leather cording. And in the back I used leather thread. I laced them through eyelets in the shoulder pad, arranged by size and color, through each spool in a zig-zag until they met at the bottom. It came together very quickly!
Eyelets: Dritz 103-1 2-Part Eyelets, 5/32-Inch, Black, 35 Count
Leather cording: Realeather Crafts Deerskin Lace, 0.125-Inch Wide 50-feet Spool, Black
Leather thread: Tandy Leather Waxed Nylon Thread 25 yds. (22.9 m) Black 1227-01
Up next is the bowler hat, arm bracers, utility belt, and the rest of the outfit. Cheerio!
More Steampunk Seamstress costume posts on Red Shoes. Red Wine.
Steampunk Seamstress: The Utility Belt, etc.
Steampunk Seamstress: Arm Bracers
Steampunk Seamstress: The Bowler Hat
Steampunk Seamstress: The Bandolier
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