Thread: Hip Scarf Workshop for Girls Ages 8-18

Hey folks...happy Sunday! It's a snowy one here in Maine so where better to be than inside with cocoa and Bhuz.

I'm pulling together a workshop for girls ages 8-18 as part of a larger day long event designed to deal with issues of low-self esteem, poor body image. I'm very excited about it.

My session will be a hands-on arts and crafts type session. I'd really like to provide an opportunity for the participants to assemble their own hip scarf or something along that line.

I'm puzzling through pulling that together and would love to hear if anyone has done something like this before. Because of the age range, some may be able to sew items on, others not. I'm not sure if the girls should access a sewing machine or have one adult doing the quick side seams. Or maybe the scarf bases are already together. The thought of hot glue or fabric glue all come to mind. I'd like for it to be durable enough that they could wear it later that night without falling apart.

The workshop session is only an hour and 15 mintues long and I'm anticipating around 15-20 participants - so that's not a lot of time. As the presenter I'd like to keep the costs relatively low. I've got some fabric and sequins, trim, etc. and bet I can get some more from the local community. I'm willing to spend some money too.

Are hip scarves too ambitious? Since some of them will take part in a performance later it would be nice for them to have something to wear.

Your insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- Kimberly

I think this sounds like a GREAT idea! But I think it is REALLY ambitious for 15 minutes. I mean, i've been hand sewing baubles onto things since I was little and i don't think I could do any justice to a hip scarf in 15 minutes

Sorry...it's 1 hour and 15 minutes

If you used a sparkly fabric for the bases, it wouldn't need very much trim at all. Maybe just some coins hand stitched on the edge?

using something like Jewel It glue would help for adding sequins and such - they just need to get it ironed (from the back) after all is dry.

What about glitter fabric paint? Maybe have a few coins sewn on each one and let them use either glitter or puffy fabric paints to desin their own! Also, don't forget that these girls will vary greatly in size, If any of the girls are heavy they may even need adult size belts.

Originally Posted by KalyaniS

Sorry...it's 1 hour and 15 minutes

Eesh. Sorry. Thats what I get for working straight through the weekend. I lose all mental ability.

In that case, I think this is a really great class idea.

You might want to have some "pre-made" fringe on hand for the younger girls... that way it can be tacked on at intervals, not every bead.

Both great ideas. Thanks ladies. Yes, initially I thought about having belts pre-cut but it's hard to guesstimate what size the gals will be which means that may need to happen on site.

I know folks who have done this. It is very easy, especially if you use fabric glue and get the premade rolls of fringe, sequins and such. I made one for myself that has lasted about 3 years--and going. I finished the hems with a sewing machine, but everything else is glued. You could pre-cut the scarves and finish the hems before the workshop and then just have the girls finish them. I recommend the stuff called liquid stich. Applique glue also works.

I just finished making a set of fringy belts for use by my students in class. If you pre-cut the bases using no fray fabrics, this can be done relatively quickly... an hour should be ok. I did some with the classic triangle but I needed them done quick too - so mostly I cut 6-8 inch swathes of the fabric. If you do this with the 45" wide fabric (maybe to few 60") the kids can cut to fit. I ended up sewing the fringe down (I used the chainnette fringe -- home decor fringe seems to be longer btw) but I had thought about using hot glue as a quick fix :)

Be sure to include some safety pins or quilter's pins (the bent ones) so the kids can lay out the design of the fringe/trim... and that way if someone is sewing the know where it's suppose to go should things get piled up.

I made really basic ones (I only had about 3-4 hours to make 10) so I'm probably going to go back and add some sequin trim, sparkly buttons, plastic jewels, and fabric paint swirls at some future point.

Sounds like a really fun project, best wishes!

Andalee & Kalirah - thanks for your tips. I think I might pre cut a bunch of bases then the gals can focus on the fun stuff like fringe, sequins, etc.
I appreciate the tips on glue since I've used neither.

Kalirah - can I ask... do you mean you cut rectangles that were 6 or 8 inches wide? And left them 45 or 60 inches long? Then the kids cut them to fit their waist?

Thanks again - these are some great ideas. I'm looking forward to it.

If you go to your local sewing/trim store they should have the pre-made fringe ready to cut by the yard. It is generally inexpensive to get that and the young ladies can stitch it around the edges for a quick scarf without a lot of fuss with the material.