Happy little scarves

I am super happy that it’s getting to be fall now (Hear that, Colorado weather?  FALL.  F-A-L-L.  So knock off this whole state being on fire crap.  It is not cool.), because I always miss the layering and sweaters during the summer.  But even when things are still a little warm, I like to add a little color or texture to an otherwise plain outfit with scarves.

Fortunately, this is really easy!  Soft, light scarves are popular even in summer, and for great prices (I found one recently at Walmart for just $5!).  But then I thought, what the heck?  I know how to sew, and there’s tons of great fabric out there, so why not make something personalized and unique (and did I mention super simple)?

I worked with a few fabrics I’d picked up from remnants and came up with this simple plan: working with about a square of 54” fabric, I could get two long rectangles, or one big square.  I have both in my closet already, but since I thought I’d try a few different techniques, I opted for the long rectangle.  One I sewed into a big tube with the selvages on the ends, the other I roll-hemmed on my serger all the way around.  Ta da!  Two nice black and silver scarves!  This was a little more substantial fabric, but if I’d had something a little softer and thinner, I would like to do a full square.

Here are some things to think about if you do this project:

Look at the fabrics being used for commercial scarves.  They’re super light, and have a very soft or silky hand (that means they’re kind of slinky, soft, and not stiff at all!).  Look for fabrics that have a soft hand to make your own.  This will ensure you have a nice soft, drapey scarf, rather than a stiff bunch!

Look at the fabric width (the measurement from selvage to selvage).  44” will make a nice ascot style, 54” and up will make a good scarf length.

Feeling ambitious?  Add tassels or other decorations to the ends!  Go for it!  Don’t have a serger?  Pick up a cute hand stitch like the blanket stitch and use that!

Tags: crafting, crafts, creativity, DiY, frugality, sewing