How do I keep my belly dance scarf from wearing out?

Question

They are coins on sheer fabric, you knot the ends, but I am concerned this puts too much strain on a thin area of the fabric. Anyone have any tips on how to prevent this wear and tear??? (besides not using it).

Answer 1

You  have to know where to buy a good quality one, because if it starts ripping very soon, then it is bad quality.  I store mine in  either a plastic bad or in a cloth bag.  Just try to be gentle with it.

=-)

Answer 2

I agree keep it in a plastic bag or purchase more hip scarves so you wont wear out you the one you have.

http://www.marzino.com

Answer 3

I've had many different hip scarves often made out of sheer fabrics.  Some have had quite a lot of weight pulling the fabric but I've never had any that puled so much that they damaged the fabric.  However, if you feel the fabric is going to rip, you should try reinforcing it.  You may want to get another layer of sheer fabric in the same color and sew it onto the back and then hand stitch support seams along the coins/beads.  Or you may want to get a sturdier cotton fabric to use in the same way.  Either way the wear and tear to most hip scarves happens in the way of the decor coming off rather than fabric ripping.  No matter what, beads and coins will eventually cut through the the threads holding them on whether they are attached individually or on a row of crocheted edging.  The best you can do in preventing wear and tear of this is to store each scarf individually and to reinforce knots.  Buy some frey check and dab that onto all of the knots to reinforce them, if a thread breaks and is shedding coins and/or beads tie it off as soon as possible and dab the new knots with frey check as well.  Frey check can also be used to prevent small holes and tears in the fabric from sprearding as well.

Answer 4

I have lots of hip scarves.  That way I'm not always wearing the same one.  They will eventually wear and the beads and coins will shed as you shimmy.  The best way to get the most use out of your hip scarves is to be sure they are well-made using a good quality fabric.  Check them regularly for fraying threads and repair them before they start shedding beads and coins.  Store them individually, so they aren't getting tangled with each other.  I use gallon size freezer bags but  I don't seal them, so they can air out after a really intense class/practice session.  If you are making your own hip scarves, you might want to try using two (or more) layers of fabric, especially if the fabric seems quite fragile.