How to make belly dancing hip scarf

DIY Basic Belly Dance Hip Scarf Pattern (with Tassels)

I’ve done all kinds of hip scarfs and overskirts tutorials over the years, but I’ve realized I don’t have a good, basic belly dance hip scarf pattern yet! So that’s what we’re going to make today. 🙂

This design is very basic, cute and versatile, and super easy to make!

In this video, you’ll see how to make this hip scarf and decorate it with tassels. Let’s get started!

Click here to join the FREE course “Belly Dance Costume Making 101”!

To make this belly dance hip scarf, you need:

Light to medium weight fabric – You need about 25cm (10in) of 150cm (59in) wide fabric.

Matching color thread

Decorative items – I’ll be using this cute tassel trim for this example, but you can use beaded tassels, fringe, embroidered tape, coins…. Whatever you like. I used about 3m of the trim. (You can find similar ones at the trimming section of a fabric store. Etsy has a lot of selection too.)

How to Make Basic Belly Dance Hip Scarf with Tassels

Basic Belly Dance Hip Scarf Pattern

First, take your fabric, and wrap it around your hips. Match up the excess fabric, and mark where the fabric meets with pins.

Place it on a flat surface, and fold it in half wrong sides together.

At the fold, from the top edge, measure 22cm (8 1/2in) and make a mark.

At the pins, measure 12cm (4 3/4in) and make a mark.

Connect these 2 points with a gentle curved line.

And extend the line horizontally, so the ends are 12cm (4 3/4in) wide.

At this point, measure the length from the pin to the end, and if it’s less than 30cm (12in), end the hip scarf 1cm (3/8in) away from the pins, and make separate ties underneath that are 30cm (12in) long or longer.

Cut along the outline. Alright, let’s start sewing!

Sew your hip scarf!

All we have to do is finish the raw edges. If you’re using stretch fabric, fold 1cm (3/8in) from the edges towards the wrong side, and do a zigzag stitch. (Stretch fabric doesn’t fray, so if you’re going to hide the edges with trimming later, you don’t even have to finish it. It’s up to you.)

If you’re using lightweight woven fabric like I am here, you can do a narrow rolled hem or a simple zigzag stitch along the raw edges or use a serger.

If you have separate ties, place a tie and an end of the hip scarf right sides together, and do a straight stitch.

And your basic belly dance hip scarf is complete!

Decorate Your Belly Dance Hip Scarf

Be creative and decorate your hip scarf as you like!

Here, I placed the tassel trim along the top and put clips there. Same for the bottom edge.

I left the tie areas untouched because these areas will get pulled and tied and the tassels will get damaged easily.

And did a straight stitch at the top and bottom of the tape to secure these rows of tassels in place.

I also cut and sewed short pieces to decorate the ends of the hip scarf.

And you have your very own belly dance hip scarf! It’s super easy, so it’s a great idea to make a whole bunch for your troupe members too! You’ll feel awesome showing off your handmade hip scarf at your next class!

If you’re hooked on making hip scarves, I have lots of other ideas, so if you’re curious, have a look at these tutorials:

Hope you liked this DIY belly dance hip scarf pattern and tutorial, and if you did, please share this tutorial with your dancer and costumer friends!

And if you’re new to belly dance costume making, join my free email course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101 below. It’ll give you a great introduction to costume making and beginner-friendly projects.

Click here to join the FREE course “Belly Dance Costume Making 101”!

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!

P. S. Pin this image on your hip scarf board 🙂

Like what you read? Want to make more costuming bits yourself?

Learn more and sign up for my free email course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101 here!

24 Ways to Wear a Hip Scarf - belly dance easy costuming!

by Mao on July 13, 2018 in DIY Belly Dance Costume Blog, Uncategorized • 9 Comments

Every belly dancer has a hip scarf…. or two…. or 100 🙂

So I thought it would be really awesome if we can make more out of all these hip scarves we own!

As I was brainstorming how a belly dancer could wear a hip scarf, I realized something amazing….

A hip scarf can become not only a pretty layer around the hips, but a bra cover, belly drape, hood… and an instant shrug!

Have a look in this video 🙂 (and welcome to my living room!)

Want to make the bra and skirt I’m wearing in this video?

How to make the same bra 🙂

How to make the same skirt (scroll down the page to see the style options) 🙂

You can find a similar hip scarf here and here (affiliate links – if you purchase using these links, the store will pay me a small commission for referral. But no pressure 🙂 )

Or make your own hip scarf – check out my DIY hip scarf tutorial 🙂

24 Ways to Wear a Hip Scarf for Belly Dancing

#1. regular hip scarf

Wrap the hip scarf around your hips and tie in the front.

#2. layered hip scarf

Wear a belt or another scarf over #1.

#3. back drape

Tuck the hip scarf at sides of your skirt waistband and make it drape around your buttocks.

#4. front drape

Same as #3 except the drape is on your front side.

#5. side drape

Tuck the centre of the hip scarf at the back of your waistband, and tuck the ends at the front centre.

#6. side drape + belt

Wear a belt over #5.

#7. twist belt

Twist the hip scarf and wrap it around your hips.

#8. instant shrug

Drape the hip scarf around your shoulders, and tie the ends at the back.

#9. bra drape 1

Pull one end through at the back of the halterneck straps, drape the hip scarf over one wide of your bra, and pull the other end through at the back of the side straps.

#10. bra drape 2

Pull each end of the hip scarf through the shoulder straps at each side, adjust the length of the hip scarf to cover the bra, and tie the excess ends at the back.

#11. drape over belly 1

Pull each end of the hip scarf through the shoulder straps at each side, adjust the length, and tie the excess ends at the back of your neck.

#12. drape over belly 2

Pull one end through a shoulder strap, and tuck the hip scarf at the sides of the skirt waistband. Keep the hip scarf loose so it drapes nicely over your torso.

#13. drape over belly 3

Pull one end through a shoulder strap, and pull the rest through the other shoulder strap. Make the rest of the hip scarf drape over your torso, and tuck the end at the back centre of your skirt waistband.

#14. drape over belly 4

Tie one end at a shoulder strap, let the hip scarf drape over your torso, and tuck the other end at the back centre of your skirt waistband.

#15.

instant top

Tie ends at the back of your neck and drape the rest over your chest.

#16. drape sleeves

Tuck the centre of the hip scarf at the centre of your bra. Twist one side and pull it through a shoulder strap. Take the rest around your arm and tuck the end at the back of your side straps. Repeat for the other side.

#17. torso drape + sleeve

Tuck one end of the hip scarf at the side of your waistband and tuck the centre corner of the hip scarf at the other side of your waistband. Pull the other end through the shoulder strap and drape the rest over your arm.

#18. arm drape

Wear 2 stretch armbands on your arm, and put ends of the hip scarf through them so it drapes in the middle.

#19. whimsical back drape

Pull hip scarf through the back of the halterneck straps about half way. Drape each end over your arm and tie the ends at the shoulder straps.

#20. tail

Tuck the centre part of the hip scarf at the back of your skirt waistband. Adjust length and secure it with a couple of safety pins.

#21. headband

Twist the hip scarf and tie it around your head.

#22. head veil

Drape the hip scarf over your head.

#23. hood

Drape the hip scarf over your head like #22, then tie the ends at the front and throw the ends over your shoulders.

#24. modesty panel

Take the centre of the hip scarf and pull it through the slit of your skirt. Adjust length, and secure it to the inside of your skirt with a couple of safety pins.

Isn’t it amazing how many looks you can create out of 1 hip scarf?

You can also combine a few of these with matching hip scarves or even a simply piece of fabric!

If you want to quickly spice up your costume or have a uniform look for your troupe members or have a bit more coverage… I think hip scarves will be your best friend! 🙂

Got more ways to wear a hip scarf? Share in the comment below!

Want to make the bra and skirt I was wearing in above photos?

Here’s how to make the same bra 🙂

Here’s how to make the same skirt (scroll down the page to see the style options) 🙂

Speaking of coverage, in my next post, I’ll share with you DIY ghawazee coat inspired shrug! If you’re curious, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so I can let you know when it’s ready!

Click here to sign up and hear about the DIY shrug!

Oh, and if you’re new to costume making but curious to learn, get introduced to belly dance costume making and find easy ideas in my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101 🙂 Learn more here!

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 🙂

P. S. Pin & share this image for your next costuming ideas 🙂

Like what you read? Want to make more costuming bits yourself?

Sign up for my newsletter here and get my free email course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101!

Belly dance scarf

The scarf or shawl is always associated with the East and is an important part of the belly dance costume. The rectangular shawl is the most common because it is the easiest to dance with and offers the most varied set of moves. But there are scarves of a different shape - triangular, round, semicircular. Butterfly shawls are also quite impressive - full-length shawls made from pleated lamé or transparent organza .. They are gaining more and more popularity among belly dancers. In the dance, even two shawls of contrasting or complementary colors can be used at the same time.

Rectangular scarf

The scarf can be made of light and transparent chiffon, matching one of the colors of the suit.

It is convenient to calculate the length of the rectangular scarf as follows: you need to measure the arm span and add 40 cm to this length. The length of the scarf can be from two to three or more meters, depending on the style of dance. It should be remembered that it is more difficult to work with a very long scarf. The optimal width of the scarf is no more than one meter, otherwise it will interfere with movements.

Semi-circular scarf

To make a semi-circular scarf, it is better to take a fabric with a length of at least 2.2 m and a width of at least 1.1 m. In fact, such a scarf is a rectangle with two rounded corners on the long side. You can choose the "degree of rounding" yourself.

Scarf with wings

Scarf with wings is a rectangle 2-2.5 x 1 m, cut in half almost to the very end, or two squares with a side of 1 m, interconnected by corners or small jumpers made of beads, ribbons etc. Very often, the wings are attached to the "collar" - a strip of fabric fastened around the neck. The collar clasp is on the front. The fastener button is usually made so that it can be easily and quickly unfastened during the dance. As a rule, this accessory is decorated, just like the bodice and belt.

Chopsticks

Chopsticks most often have two rounded corners on the long side. Two sticks are sewn on the opposite side, wrapping them with a scarf so that they are invisible.

A handkerchief with sticks can also be made from two wings that are attached to the “collar”. The pattern of each wing is a quarter of a circle with a radius of 75 cm and a rectangular panel of fabric 69 cm wide, which is sewn around the circumference to a quarter of the circle. A strong, inflexible stick 70 cm long is inserted into each wing on one side.

To make dancing more comfortable, the headscarf corners can be attached to the bracelets.

Round handkerchief

Round handkerchief is a circle with a diameter of approximately 2.2 m, cut strictly along the radius. A round scarf can be made with wings, cut in half, and with sticks - increasing the diameter accordingly. The corrugated version of the round scarf looks very impressive. The most characteristic and beautiful movements with this accessory are rotations, turns and, of course, flapping wings .

Tube scarf

To make this scarf, take a fabric 3-4 m long and 1-1.5 m wide and sew it into a tube with long sides.

The short sides are not sewn. Open cuts are sometimes trimmed with a feather boa. In the dance with this accessory many unusual specific movements are used.

Handkerchief fabric should be very soft and transparent . It can be chiffon, crepe de chine or silk. Before using a scarf, be sure to process the edges of the fabric. This can be done with a regular zigzag stitch - sew on a sewing machine or hem with your hands. Silk must be hemmed, but in a polyester scarf, you can simply singe the edge. To do this, quickly hold the edge of the handkerchief over the candle flame. Although, as practice shows, the scorched edge begins to bloom over time.

To make the scarf look more impressive, it is decorated with coins, braid, beads, rhinestones, sequins (small shiny circles) , but don't be zealous - the scarf should be light, not cling to the suit.

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