Making Hip Scarves

Material types

Fun and fashionable, hip scarves can accent the simplest outfit. In addition, they can be used when going to the beach, for a swimsuit cover-up. There are a couple of different ways to make hip scarves. The method you choose depends on how detailed you want your hip scarf to be. Either way, you are going to need some material. Sheer material works best, though you can also choose another type of fabric, such as a cotton/polyester blend, if you'd rather have a scarf that's a little more durable. A couple of yards of fabric will be needed, though you might use less, depending on the size of the hip scarf. Fabric can be found at any hobby supply store, such as Michael's or Hobby Lobby. You can also find fabric at Wal-Mart. In addition, you will need scissors and if you choose to get fancy, you could also use a sewing machine.

Crafting the scarf

Once you have chosen the type of fabric you want, then you must decide what can be done with it. If you choose a sheer fabric, sequins or beads can be added to the edges of the fabric or throughout the fabric as embellishments. If you choose to use sequins or beads, you can also use fabric glue to stick these in place. Otherwise you will end up sewing them by hand and that can be time consuming. You can also choose to leave the fabric plain and if this is the case, all you have to do is fold the fabric in half, so that it forms a triangle. Then all you have to do is tie it around your waist and sort of let it hang off of your hip. If you choose a thicker fabric, you can embellish it the same way, or you can use the sewing machine to sew lace onto the edges of the fabric, as well. Once you have completed the decorating process, you wear the scarf the same way as the sheer fabric variety. If you would like a shorter hip scarf, take the fabric and cut it to your desired length. You can embellish it with sequins or beads, as well. In addition, you can add little golden trinkets such as decorative coins or a string of beads to the hip scarf to make it more noticeable.

Considerations

Hip scarves vary in size, color and design. While some women prefer to wear sheer hip scarves, others prefer to wear those that are made of thicker fabric such as cotton and are embellished with various beads or charms. If one has the know-how, you can completely embellish a hip scarf with beads, giving it a completely unique look. This method, however, takes a lot of time and expertise. The beads normally have to be sewn on so that they do not fall off in the washing machine. If you know how to crochet or knit, you can also make hip scarves out of yarn. This adds a nice touch, especially if you use a good quality yarn. However, the scarf will be much heavier than if it were made out of sheer fabric.