DIY Hip Scarf / Head Scarf with Large Sequins

Last 2 weeks, we made this simple and pretty baladi dress with a keyhole neckline.

But what makes your baladi dress look complete?

A sparkly hip scarf, of course! 😀

In this post, which is the last of this baladi dress series, you are going to see how to make this hip scarf that goes with the baladi dress. You can make 2 of these to use 1 as a head scarf as well. And then I’ll show you a time saving tip for sewing on these large sequins to the hip scarf. So let’s get started!

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How to Make DIY Hip Scarf / Head Scarf with Large Sequins

To make the hip scarf, you need:

50cm (1/2yd) of fabric – I used the same fabric as the one I used for making the baladi dress, but you can use different fabric as well. I recommend using stretch fabric, so the finished hip scarf will be nice and snug.

Matching colour thread

Sequins or any trim you like – I’m using these 2cm sequins. I ended up using 51 of these (6g). You can get similar ones here.

Basic sewing tools (see Resource page for my favourite tools)

Making this hip scarf is super easy. No need to cut anything unless your fabric is not in a rectangular shape.

Take the whole width of the fabric, and fold 1cm or 1/2in from all the raw edges towards the wrong side of the fabric.

Place pins, and sew along the edge. I used a stretch stitch to make the hip scarf stretchy.

Now we’ll sew on the sequins.

You can do this by hand. Simply hold the hole of the sequin at about 5mm or 1/4in from the edge. Take a double threaded needle with a knot at the end, and go up through the hole and down outside of the hole a few times. Tie a knot on the back side to finish.

Move down 5cm or 2in from the first sequin, and sew on another one. And continue.

But if you are like me, sewing on over 50 sequins by hand seems daunting. So here’s my time saving trick.

Take your hip scarf and sequins to your sewing machine. Set your machine to do a regular zigzag stitch. I’m using 5 for the width, and the key is to set the stitch length to 0.

Place your hip scarf and sequin carefully under the needle, and use the hand wheel to make sure the needle goes both inside of the hole and outside of the edge of the sequin. If the needle lands on any part of the sequin, adjust the stitch width to make sure the needle doesn’t poke through the sequin.

Lower the presser foot, and stitch several times. That’s it.

Move on to the next one, about 5cm or 2in away from the first sequin, and stitch several times. And continue.

I find using the sewing machine way faster, and finished sewing on 51 sequins along 3 edges of the hip scarf in 40 minutes or so.

Now enjoy your brand new baladi dress and hip scarf! I think it’s so cute, and once you get the process down, it’s a fairly simple project. And this hip scarf can be used as a head scarf as well 🙂

I really hope you enjoyed the baladi dress series, and hope to see your creations on Sparkly Belly’s Facebook page.

And if you want to take advantage of quiet time this winter to make more costumes for the spring, check out my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101.

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Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!

Want to make more costuming bits yourself?

Sign up for my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101!