Create a Summer Beach Sarong

Start by choosing a lightweight sarong with either a floral print or plain fabric, depending on the style you want. Floral prints give a natural guide for where to place gems, while plain fabric lets you create your own design. For the fringe, opt for a man-made organza fabric. Typically, 2-3 yards of fabric is ideal for a sarong wrap.

To create the organza fringe, first, fit your Dremel VersaTip with the Cutting Knife 202 and set it to a low heat. Place the organza fabric on a glass surface protector. Using a steel ruler, run the VersaTip Cutting Knife along the ruler to make a straight cut following the fabric’s grain line.

Next, cut an 11-inch-wide strip from the organza. Turn this strip 90 degrees and cut it into ribbon-like pieces that are about 1/5 inch wide. These narrow strips will form the fringe for the bottom of the sarong.

Now, take a strip of the organza fabric, fold it in half, and thread the folded end through the eye of a needle. Insert the needle through the lower edge of the sarong, about 2/5 inches away from the hem. Pull the folded end of the organza through the fabric until a loop forms. Then, pass the cut ends of the ribbon through the loop and pull snugly to create a secure knot.
Repeat this process along the entire lower edge of the sarong, spacing the ribbons approximately 2/5 inches apart. This will give your sarong a custom fringe that adds both style and movement.

Before attaching any gems, decide how you want your sarong to sparkle. If you’re working with a floral print, place the largest gems in the centers of the flowers. For plain fabric, you can create your own pattern, mixing different sizes of hot-fix gems for a unique look. Use a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk to mark where each gem will be placed.

Fit your Dremel VersaTip with the Hot Blower Head and set it to a low heat. Place your sarong face-up on the glass surface protector, and carefully position your largest gems (1/4") on the marked areas, such as the center of printed flowers or custom-designed spots. Hold the Dremel VersaTip over each gem until it melts and adheres to the fabric. Be careful not to scorch the material. Repeat this process to apply all the large gems.

Once the large gems are secured, switch to applying the medium (1/5") and small gems (1/10"). You can either continue using the Hot Blower Head or, if the fabric is at risk of burning, switch to the Soldering Tip 201. Touch the Soldering Tip directly to the small hot-fix gems to fuse them onto the fabric, working in sections to avoid damaging any part of the sarong. Continue placing gems across the sarong to enhance its design and sparkle.

Allow the gems and glue to fully set by laying the sarong flat. Depending on the type of adhesive and fabric, this could take a few hours or overnight. Ensure that all decorations are securely attached before moving to the next step.

Your sparkling summer beach sarong is now complete! Style it in different ways—wrap it around your waist as a skirt, tie it into a dress, or drape it over your shoulders as a chic cover-up. This DIY creation will add a personal touch to your summer wardrobe, perfect for any beach or poolside occasion.