NorthofAda

I wasn't sure whether to put this in the cloth category or in general crafts, but here it goes...

I'm starting to put together a Southern Cloth outfit. So far I've found a pattern for the dress, a pattern for high-top moccasins, instructions on making a fan, a breastplate and a hair plume, but I haven't found any specifics on making the drag for the back of my dress.

I've seen a lot of pictures, and some look like they're beaded while others look appliqued. Do you just fly by the seat of your pants on this one? Or is there a typical length, dimension, etc., that would give me some guidelines on this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Yakoke -

NofA

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superndngyrl

Its a drop. The drag hangs from your belt and could be beaded or silver.

My drops usually match my ribbonwork. Its wide enough to put the whole ribbonwork. I like it long enough to put two pieces of the design on it lengthwise.

If you want to bead one, that would be cool too.

I've seen some that go to your waist and others that go to the back of your calf.

Before everyone was matchy matchy, people used to just wear a ribbon(s) that went to your calf with a broach to pin it to your blouse to keep it from blowing all around.

Its up to you.

Sorry, I wear two piece outfits. (otoe style)

If you wear the one piece outfit dimensions are similar, maybe 6 inches wide (or more).

Eagle Plumes

Hi my drop is loom beaded. It matches my beadwork set. And has my name on it. I hang mine from my chocker, but its just until I get a pin beaded to attach it to my dress or breastplate.

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I got a fevah! And the only cure is more cowbell!!!

NorthofAda

Thanks for the info...

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OLChemist

Fully beaded drops seem to be quite popular at the moment. I've seen thin and fat loomed strips, applique -- including drops that have been trimmed to follow the shape the design -- and lane stitch. I've also seen cloth, ribbon and lace drops. (There is a lady down here who has a lovely white lace drop.) Some folks pin them to their dress or scarf. Others tie them to their cokers or under their scraves. Up north, some buckskin dancers tie them to the neckline of their dress. I think tribal style, personal taste, and individual tolerance for weight dictate your choice.

Personally, I think the drops that have enough weight to hang well look the best. I've seen a few ribbon ones that became a positive menace in a stiff breeze.

As for making them... It's not too hard -- which makes it kind of hard to describe LOL. (How's that for a dodge?)

The one I am currently beading is ca 4" wide and hangs to the calf. I'm beading on canvas backed with interfacing. The finished piece will be lined with broadcloth. The top of the drop is attached to a beaded star with a large pin back (I also put a tab on the back that can be used for ties). The bottom end, I'm decorating with brass cones and dyed horsehair tassels.


Anywho... Good luck with your outfit.

Eagle Plumes

wow that sounds perdy! I have aquestion? How do you get teh horse hair to stay in the cones? my boys dance stick used to have beautifull horse hair on it now it has one hair look's all sad! no lie lol.

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I got a fevah! And the only cure is more cowbell!!!

OLChemist

Use hair long enough to double over, so you get a loop. Wrap string around where the two bundles of hair cross, very close to the U-shaped bend in the hair, keeping a small loop at the top. Put a ca 2" length 20-18ga brass wire -- or german silver for Al cones -- through the loop in the hair and twist one end of the wire around the other. Trim off the excess on the end you twisted, so you have a nice single wire to pull through the coone. Pull the wire and hair into the cone; make a loop in the excess wire to fasten the cone and hair to a fishing spinnner. Make any sense at all?