How to Make Christian Dance Streamers & Hoops

Dance interpretation with streamers can display adoration for God.

Dance enhances worship in church. Stemming from biblical times when even King David danced before the Lord, a lot of churches have seen an increase in people longing to express their love and worship of God through dance. Many a service benefits from the wonder of color as dancers whirl their streamers or hoops through the air, in adoration of the God whom they love. Dance streamers and praise hoops don't take much to make, and will bring you great enjoyment as you learn how to dance with them.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch diameter wooden dowel, one per streamer
• Strips of brightly colored satin ribbon
• Fabric glue
• Furniture stapler
• Hammer
• Small nails
• Embroidery hoop
• Roll of ribbon
• Lametta strands (tinsel), two colors

Instructions

Dance Streamers

1. Line up the dowels and check the length is comfortable for you to dance with. Move them around. Note whether they strike the floor and whether you can control them easily. Saw them down if they feel too long, but don't make them too short; keep them at around 3 feet.

2. 

   Satin creates a wonderful fluidity from the streamer.

   Cut your satin ribbon strips down to one and half meters in length. Hem the ends to prevent fraying. Fold up the material by 1/4 inch, and either sew or use fabric glue to secure.

3. Attach the ribbon to the dowel either using strong permanent glue, furniture staples or nails.

4. Make as many streamers as you like in a variety of colored ribbons. Use different materials or transparencies of color for different dance "moods."

Praise Hoops

1. Separate the inner and outer hoops of the embroidery ring, so you can attach the streamers in the center of them.

2. 

   Lametta strands are usually found as decoration for Christmas trees.

   Stick the lametta strands -- also known as tinsel -- to the outer part of the inner embroidery ring, using the strong fabric glue. Keep one area of the hoop clear of streamers for you to hold. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Stick the second color of lametta strands onto the first to create lots of color and sparkle when using your praise hoop in dance. Allow the glue to dry. Repeat for any further colors of lametta strands, if you are using more than two.

4. Rejoin the outer ring of the embroidery hoop to the inner ring over the top of the streamers. Once satisfied the streamers are secure, cut the excess header off the strip.

5. Decorate the embroidery ring by winding the roll of ribbon around it. The color of the ribbon should match one of the colors of your streamers, for the best look. Use the glue to secure the ribbon to your ring.

6. Allow the glue to dry before you start to use your praise hoop in dance.

Tips & Warnings

• Set aside about two to three hours to make your dance streamer or hoop.

• Practice on your own at home, before you try to use the streamer or hoop in a worship service. You want to enhance worship, not be a distraction.

References

• Making Praise Rings
• Ideas for Dance Instruments and Their Use