I have had this project logged in my brain for about 2 months now. I was “visiting” an Anthropologie store back in July during a huge sale. Of course, very few things were yet in my price range, but I really enjoyed browsing around. One of the things I saw on the sale rack was a huge scarf. It was on clearance for about $50 – and it was 110 degrees outside. Even if I had the bucks, there was no way I was walking out of there with a SCARF!
I didn’t take a picture, but I remember that all it was was one very long row of very lightweight fabric with ruffled sides.
Here is what I made as my version of what I remember. (Admittedly, mine is quite a bit bigger – but such is life in Texas!)
Confession 1: This is not your average scarf. Confession 2: This is NOT a scarf for wallflowers!
If you like this little ditty …. read on….here’s how I made it for $5!!!
Start with 2.5 yards of lightweight fabric. Since I live in TX, I chose cotton because wearing scarves is more like playing house here than it is for keeping warm!
Cut 2 identical strips the entire 2.5 yard length of the fabric. I think my strips aer about 5" wide .. but make them however wide or narrow that you want. It's YOUR scarf.
Then, cut 8 identical strips across the crossgrain. To determine length, figure out how long/big you want the ruffle. Double that measurement and add 1" - 1/2" seam allowance on both ends)
Now join those 8 strips into 2 long strips. Meaning, sew 4 strips together twice.
For each of these two long strips, fold wrong sides together and press.
Tuck in a small seam allowance at both ends of the two long strips. Press. Sew ends closed.
Sew a long gathering stitch at the bottom of the long strips. (meaning the side opposite the fold) Gather the ruffles, and pin along one side of the main strip. Be sure to start and end about 1" away from the edge as shown. (to make it easier to end up with a uniform ruffle, I marked the middle to both the main strip and the ruffle strip)
Sew the ruffle to the main strip with about a 1/2" seam allowance. Then, fold up the ruffle and pin the center.
Repeat ruffle, sew, roll steps on other side. You'll end up with this concoction!
Now you're ready to get this scarf rolling! Put your second main strip on top of the "concoction" right sides together.
Pin all the way down to hold the strips and the ruffles in place. Sew down each side using about a 5/8" seam.
Now, very carefully, begin turning right side out. Remember, there are a TON of pins inside that tube - if you pull too fast you'll either stick yourself or rip your fabric. I may or may not have done both!
Now press that little baby ... you're almost done .. you just need to do something with those two ends ...
So tuck them inside the tube..
Press and sew shut.
Press very well ... and you're done!
It's big - but I think it's awesome!
It's just sooooo soft and so confident! I'm seeing this with a beautiful gray cape for winter.
And this much wow factor at your neckline - don't even bother fixing your hair - pull it back and you're done!
So, yeah, like I said – this is not a scarf for the faint of heart. This scarf is powerful. It’s feminine. It is NOT discreet! =)
Of course, you can use the same tutorial and make it quite a bit smaller. But why!?!
Cost: $5~ I got the fabric on clearance at Hancocks for $2/yd. I used 2.5 yards.
Time: the only bad part about this project is that it is not a quick piece. Give yourself anywhere from 1 t0 2 hours. But I don’t think you’ll regret it! Invite some friends over and make them together!!!
Anthropologie’s version: about $50. sort of plain.
Handmade version: $5 – NOT PLAIN.
Take that!
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