DIY Detachable Beaded Swag for Dance Costumes

Last week I shared with you the DIY beaded sleeve which was so easy to make, yet so pretty! 😀

And this week, let’s continue with the bead theme, and make this beaded swag for your skirt! 😉

This swag is so beautiful to add around the hips and moves so nicely with your movements.

The best part is, it’s detachable, so you can wear it on any skirts you have! Let’s get started!

Click here to get the free swag pattern!

To make this detachable beaded swag, you need:

A swag pattern – I drew my own pattern here, and you can download this for free from here .

Suspender clips – 2 clips per set (I used these (affiliate link))

Felt – About 4in x 4in (10cm x 10cm) is plenty

Button thread – Like the beaded sleeves, it’s best to use thick thread for dangling pieces like swags.

Beads – For this project, I used:

• 92 – 6mm black beads
• 50 – size 6 clear seed beads
• 95 – size 6 grey seed beads

Appliques – 1 per clip or something to decorate with. I’ll explain more in a minute. (Or make your own appliques here and here)

Hand sewing needle

DIY Detachable Beaded Swag for Dance Costumes!

First, take felt and cut it into 2 strips that are 1in (2.5cm) wide and 3.5in (8cm) long.

This strip goes through the suspender clip and hides the entire clip like this. So if you’re using clips that are different than mine, adjust the length of felt according to your clip.

And stitch right under the bar of the clip, so your felt won’t move around.

Next, double thread your needle, and make sure it’s long enough for the top line on the pattern. Tie a knot at the end.

Then flip the suspender clip so the felt is closer to you, and at the end of the felt, about ⅓ of the way from the right edge, send the needle a couple of times through both layers of felt, and send it out to the bottom edge.

And start adding beads. Keep stringing beads until it’s the same length as the top line on the pattern. You can get this pattern form here!

Then tie the end on the felt on the other suspender clip, exactly the same way as before, but this time ⅓ of the way from the left edge.

Next, anchor 2nd one at the centre point of the felt, and add beads until it’s the medium length on the pattern. Then attach it to the other felt.

Finally, anchor the last one about ⅓ of the way from the left edge, add beads until it’s the same length as the bottom line on the pattern. Attach the end to the other felt, about ⅓ of the way from the right edge.

Here, I used 5 round beads then 3 clear seed beads and repeated that pattern for the top and bottom strands, and for the middle strand, I used 20 grey seed beads, then 1 round bead, and repeated that pattern, to match the beaded sleeve.

But you can use different colours, sizes, chain, add coins, tassels… whatever you like!

And finally, glue on or sew on an applique on each felt, so that the felt or the clip isn’t visible. If you don’t have an applique, you can also sew on or glue on large beads and rhinestones like this to cover up the felt as well 🙂

And your detachable beaded swag is complete! To attach it to your skirt, simply use the clips and clip it onto the waistband of your skirt.

I love having this beaded swag over a cutout on a skirt like this or simply over a regular skirt. It’s so nice that you can move it and use it on different costumes. It’s a great way to spice up boring costumes!

And if you’re curious how to make these matching appliques, you can learn how in my brand new course that’s launching next week (Learn more here!). Or you can get a kit to make them yourself! (Learn more here 🙂 )

In my next tutorial, I will show you how to make beaded tassels like this.

Sign up for my newsletter below, so you won’t miss it. (& You’ll get access to the swag pattern as well!)

Click here to get the beaded tassel tutorial (+ the free swag pattern!) 🙂

Hope you liked this DIY detachable beaded swag, and if you did, please share this tutorial with your troupe members for the next costuming idea! This would also make a nice holiday gift as well 🙂

And if you want to learn how to make belly dance costumes but if you’re not sure where to start, check out my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101!

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 🙂

P.S. Pin this image for your future projects!

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