DIY Sparkly Chunky Bangle

 

In my last post, I showed you how to make a drape armband that matches your costume.

 

It is very important to have a matching accessory, because it really balances out your entire outfit and completes it!

 

Here’s another matching accessory idea which I call Sparkly Chunky Bangle! 😀

 

In recent years this type of thick, shiny bangles are becoming popular among belly dancers, and they look gorgeous! In this video, you’ll see how I made one for myself. Let’s get started!

 

 

Click here to learn how to make the dress I’m wearing in the video!

 

To make this Sparkly Chunky Bangle, you’ll need:

Batting – if you don’t have batting, you can use felt or even scrap fabric.

Stretch fabric – About 8in (20cm) long.

Recycle old bracelets if you like. If you have a thick bangle already, use that, but I didn’t so I got thin bracelets at a dollar store. I glued them together using E6000 to make a thick bangle base.

Decoration items like rhinestones

Fabric glue

 

DIY Sparkly Chunky Bangle

 

First, measure the width and circumference of your bangle base.

 

Then cut batting to these sizes:

1. circumference of your bangle base + 3/8in (1cm) by 2 x width of the bangle base + 3/8in (1cm)
2. circumference of your bangle base + 3/8in (1cm) by width of the bangle base

 

Place the narrower strip around the bangle and secure it with drops of fabric glue.

 

 

 

Then cover the entire bangle with the wider batting strip to give thickness and make the surface smooth.

 

Secure the ends on the inside of the bangle with drops of fabric glue. If you’re using felt or scrap fabric, cut them into the same dimensions, but you may need more layers of narrow strips to give volume to your bangle.

 

 

Next cut stretch fabric into the circumference of the bangle base by (the width of the bangle base x 2) + 3/4in (2cm).

 

Sew the shorter ends right sides together with a narrow zigzag stitch. Use a 3/8in (1cm) seam allowance.

 

Flip it inside out, and place the fabric around the bangle.

 

 

Bring the top and bottom edges to the inside of the bangle. Fold in the top end at 3/8in (1cm) from the edge, and whip stitch the fold to the bottom layer on the inside of the bangle. Keep folding as you stitch. If you have a big clip like the red one in the photo, it’s very helpful.

 

 

 

And finally, decorate it as you like. I simply glued on rhinestones to match my costume. I placed rhinestones in a diamond pattern, but you can just cover the entire area with rhinestones to maximize the shine as well. If you make the bangle with neutral colours like this, it’s easy to match with lots of other costumes!

 

 

And now your Sparkly Chunky Bangle is finished! 😀

 

I love the presence of this bangle – it is a quite noticeable accessory on stage, and I also love how a bangle like this makes your wrist appear small and delicate and helps accentuate your arm movement 🙂

 

And of course, it’s a great project to use up your scrap materials!

 

 

Hope you liked this DIY Sparkly Chunky Bangle, and if you did, please share this post with your dancer friends!

 

And if you’re curious about making the dresses I’m wearing, you can make your own! Learn how at SparklyBelly.com/Hourglass.

 

 

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 😉

 

P.S. Pin this image on your accessory board! 🙂