How to Make Imitation Beaded Fringe

This Chrisanne Clover dress has some cool beaded fringe, right?

Except…wait a minute. Take a closer look.

This fringe isn’t beaded at all.

In fact, it’s not beaded or chainette fringe!

It is rhinestoned ribbon.

In today’s post I share how to make this cool imitation beaded fringe and why you may want to use it on your ballroom dance costume or ice skating dress.

 How to Make Imitation Beaded Fringe 

What you need:

• Narrow grosgrain ribbon
• 16ss or 20ss rhinestones
• Rhinestone glue (Click here to see my blog on types of rhinestone glue.)
• Piece of cardboard
• Tape or a pin

Imitation beaded fringe is easy to make.

1. Cut narrow grosgrain ribbon about 2″ or 5 cm longer than your desired length.
2. Pin or tape both ends of the ribbon to a piece of cardboard.
   • Pull the ribbon as taut as you can so it lies flat and smooth. Put a pin in the middle of the ribbon if needed to stabilize the ribbon.
3. Rhinestone one side of the ribbon.
   • Half way through rhinestoning, you may need to adjust and re-pin the ribbon to make it more taut.
4. Let the glue mostly dry and then unpin the ribbon from the cardboard, but leave it lying flat until completely dry.
   • This step is to help ensure the glue does not stick to the cardboard.
5. Flip the ribbon over.  Re-pin it to the cardboard at each end as well as in several places along the middle.
6. Glue rhinestones on the second side.
   • Gluing stones on the second side of the ribbon requires patience.  It is much more difficult placing stones on the second side of the ribbon because the ribbon is no longer flat.  The rhinestones on the bottom make the ribbon slide or rock every time you touch it.
7. Repeat step four.
8. Once the glue is completely dry, trim the excess ribbon on one end.  Leave the extra length on the other end because you want that for attaching to the dress.

Voila! You are finished.

Keep making as many pieces as you need for your costume.

  SEW LIKE A PRO™ DRESSMAKER TIP #1:  

Generally, rhinestone glue adheres better to grosgrain ribbon than satin ribbon, because the grosgrain is textured.

  SEW LIKE A PRO™ DRESSMAKER TIP #2:  

Try to buy ribbon that is close to the width of the rhinestone you want to use. That way, very little ribbon shows underneath the stones.

 Benefits of Using Imitation Beaded Fringe on Your Ballroom Dance Costume or Ice Skating Dress 

1. Safety

The threads in real beaded fringe can weaken and eventually break, causing the beads to fall off and scatter on the floor or the ice.  I don't need to tell you this is a big hazard for dancers and skaters! In addition to the hazard that beaded fringe creates, there are eventually enough broken bead strands that the fringe strands need replaced or removed.

On the other hand, faux beaded fringe is durable and safe to use.  As long as the rhinestones are glued properly, they will not fall off.

Click here to learn more about the pros and cons of beaded fringe.

2. A Different Look

Rhinestoned ribbon creates a unique look and it also moves differently from beaded or chainette fringe.  It is heavier than traditional fringes, but it sparkles a whole lot more and you can make the imitation beaded fringe any color you want.

  SEW LIKE A PRO™ DRESSMAKER TIP #3:  

Wanna add bling to a classic rayon or nylon chainette fringe skirt?. 

Intermix imitation beaded fringe throughout the chainette fringe.

Keep in mind that too many strands of rhinestoned ribbon can make your skirt heavy.  To help reduce construction time, rhinestone costs and skirt weight, only rhinestone one side of the ribbon.  The bling effect will still be there but no one will know only side of the ribbon was stoned since the ribbon strands are mixed in the chainette fringe.

The pale blue skirt to the right is decorated with imitation beaded fringe using size 16ss rhinestones.

The rhinestones glued on the ribbons match the rhinestones on the bodice.  However, if you want to get really creative, you can make the imitation beaded fringe several colors for an ombré look.

This cool effect is something you cannot do with regular beaded fringe!

Watch the blog featuring this blue Latin dance dress for more details.

  SEW LIKE A PRO™ DRESSMAKER TIP #4:  

If your dress has lots of fringe, whether it is beaded or chainette, store it flat.  Heavy ballroom dancing and figure skating costumes can stretch out of shape if they are hung for long periods of time.  To help prevent this, I suggest storing them flat.  Read my blog on dress storage for more tips on how to care for your dress.

As always, I appreciate you sharing this post with all your dancing, skating, sewing friends on your favorite social media.

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Thanks SEW much,

Teresa Sigmon