How to Create a Waist Sash for a Dance Costume

Somebody had asked me how to make a sash for their waist so that what I am going to do now so in this lesson, I am going to show you how to create a waist sash for a dance costume. The sash we are going to create is made out of lace, but you can use pretty much any fabric that you want.

Supplies:
1. Briefs
2. Material for sash
3. Thread to match sash
4. Needles
5. Pins
6. Scissors
7. Sewing Machine depending on Material
Directions:
1. Choosing Your Materials
First, choose the brief style and color you want to use. The first thing you will want to determine is where you want the briefs to fall, where you want them to hit on the hip or waist. This will help you decide which kind of briefs you want to use. This will be dependent on the top that will be used along with the briefs and total look you want to achieve.

The next step will be to choose the fabric for the sash, preferably one that stretches. Depending on the look you want, you could choose lace, Lycra or other material that matches or complements the brief. We used a lace that matches the brief in this demo.

2. Cutting Sash

Cut the material in a rectangle long enough to go around the hips and cover from the top of the briefs to the top of the leg opening. Unless you use lace, you should also leave about an inch and a half to allow for hems at top and bottom of the sash.

3. Placement of Sash

In our demo we are using high waisted briefs and matching stretch lace. So, since we are using high waisted briefs, we are going to make a high waisted sash. I am going to allow some of the red briefs to show and also use red lace so that we can match the costume top to the bottom.
I have cut a rectangular piece of lace that is long enough to go around the girl’s waist. Although I am using a mannequin to work with, it is better to have the girl wearing the brief. Next, I am going to wrap the rectangular piece of material around the girl’s waist and hip. It should fit around the hips smoothly but not smoothly. It works best to use a material that stretches. Basically, I am going to end up creating a tube.

4. Sewing the Sash

Once you have determined that the material fits nicely around the girl’s waist and hips, fold the material in half with the outside of the material inside the folded piece. Sew the raw edges together to make a tube. Using thread that matches the material, tie a knot at the beginning of the seam and sew a running stitch along the raw edge opposite the fold. You can also use a sewing machine which is probably even better. There you go, you have a tube. You can go straight up and down the material.
If you don’t have the high waisted briefs, that’s okay you can go with a pair of regular shorts. You just need to decide the look you are going for. Slide the “tube” of material onto the briefs

5. If the Material Does Not Stretch

If the fabric does not stretch, it will be a problem because the girl will need to be able to put the briefs on with the sash attached. So, you will need to gather the both ends of the sash individually and not make it into a tube. Then use snaps, hooks and eyes, or Velcro at the ends to complete the “tube.”
6. Hemming the Sash

If the sash is made of lace, you will not need to hem the top and bottom of the sash. Otherwise, you will need to hem both the top and bottom of the sash using a stretch or zig zag stitch on the sewing machine.

7. Finishing the Sash

Once you have slid the sash onto the briefs, you can tack it down to keep it in place. You can either leave it a nice wide sash or gather the sash up so that it is visually pleasing to you. If you are using high waisted briefs, you could gather the sash and the briefs up together as one piece. It is all a matter of opinion and the desire to create the look you want.
It is really that easy to do.

Cyndi Marziani