A scarf can help to keep you warm during those cold winter months. Even on nights that are just a bit chilly, a scarf made of fleece can help you to stay snug and comfortable. Scarves are also a great fashion accessory.
And, if you’re looking for an easy sewing project, this winter scarf is the perfect fit.
What You Will Need
- A piece of fleece
- Thread in a coordinating color
- Fabric scissors
- A tape measure or measuring tape
- A fabric pencil or fabric marker (optional)
How Much Fabric Will You Need?
How much fabric you’ll need will depend on how long you want the scarf to be on the person who’ll be wearing it. Ideally, when the scarf is draped around the wearer’s neck, the ends should reach to about their waist. However, it’s okay if the scarf to be longer or shorter. If it’s too long, the wearer can just wrap it around their neck one or two more times than usual. If the scarf is too short, the wearer will simply do less wrapping.
If you’re making a scarf that can be used by anyone, your fabric can be about 4 to 5 feet long (or 48 to 60 inches), depending on your personal preference.
If you’re making the scarf for someone specific who is available for a “fitting,” drape the tape measure or measuring tape around their neck. Pull the free end down until it reaches their waist. Then pull the other end of the measuring tape down until it reaches about the same length, and then take the measurement. This is how long your piece of fabric needs to be.
Of course, if the scarf is for you, you can measure yourself in the same way. Doing this while looking in a mirror might make it a little easier.
While the length of the fabric can vary, it should be 2 feet (or 24 inches) wide, no matter who you are making the scarf for.
Working with Standard Fabric Widths
If you like, you can make your scarf about 44 to 45 inches long. Typically, fabric is sold in bolts that are about 44 to 45 inches wide. So, if the only thing you want to make using this fabric is the scarf, you can have the fabric cut at the 2 foot mark.
Yes, the scarf will be a little shorter. But it will still keep the wearer warm. And you won’t have to deal with having more of a fabric than you want.
This is also a great project if you have some extra fabric lying around and couldn’t figure out what to do with it…until now.
Choosing Your Thread
When making a scarf (or almost anything else) you want to use thread that will disappear against the fabric.
For a scarf made in a solid fabric, choose a thread in a matching color.
For a scarf with a patterned fabric, choose a thread that matches the dominant background color. If there is no dominant color, choose a thread that matches the darkest color in the pattern.
Hold a spool of thread against the fabric. This will help you see how much (or how little) the thread will stand out against the material.
Making the Scarf: The First Steps
- Fold the fabric in half, so that the wrong side (the side you aren’t going to want people to see) is facing out.
- Sew the scarf along its length (the long side).
- Turn the fabric inside out so that the right side (the side you want people to see) is facing out.
Stitching the Ends
When stitching the ends, you have two options. If you like the scarf fine the way it is, here’s what you do.
- Fold one end of the scarf down about ¼ of an inch.
- Sew a stitch along the fold.
- Fold the same end down another ¼ of an inch.
- Sew a stitch along this second fold.
- Repeat steps 1 through 4 on the other end.
Doing a double stitch on the ends will give the scarf will give it a clean, finished look.
If you want the scarf to have a little pizzazz, you can give it a fringe. This is pretty easy to do.
- Lay your scarf out flat.
- Using the fabric pencil and your measuring tape, draw a line about 6 inches from the end of the scarf. If you don’t have a fabric pencil, you can use something else to make the line. Just make sure the line will come out in the wash.
- Sew a seam across the line.
- Using your scissors, make a cut about half an inch from the side of the scarf. Cut all the way up to the stitch you made earlier…but stop before you cut the stitch!
- Make another cut about every half inch.
- Repeat steps 1 through 5 on the other end.
This is why fleece is such a great material to use for this project. Since it doesn’t unravel, your fringe will stay nice and neat.
A fleece winter scarf is quick and easy to make, and is a fashionable way to stay warm when the temperature starts to drop.
