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How to ... DIY Scarf for adults & kids

Dubai Winter is coming and we all know that it can get cold - despite what our families at home think 😊 This also makes the perfect gift for family and friends. It is another super easy project - perfect for beginners.


Continue reading and learn how to make your own DIY scarf. Find out what fabric works great, what size to cut and how to finish the edges. It is a fantastic beginner project as you will get more comfortable how to finish your hems.



Choose your fabric – Double Gauze or Rayon


Double Gauze for a cozy look

Double cotton gauze is a soft, airy fabric made from two layers of cotton gauze fused together. It features the loose, open weave of cotton gauze but with greater opacity and more full-bodied drape. ⁠⠀

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It is similar in texture to cheesecloths (a smooth, buttery, gauze-like cloth with a fine weave). Double Gauze is lightweight and slightly crinkled for a cozy look. ⁠⠀

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Equally popular with designers and new moms who carry their babies in slings across their bodies, this comfortable, double-layered woven is a fantastic material for warm swaddling blankets or women’s & girls' apparel such as breezy tunics, dresses, or skirts.⁠⠀


The fabric is very light, often under 100 g/qm and therefore makes it ideal for scarfs.



Rayon for a more elegant look

Rayon (also known as Viscose) is neither a natural fabric or a synthetic fabric. It is somewhere in between because it is a regenerated cellulose fibre usually manufactured from wool pulp which has been chemically treated.

Rayon is well known for it's softness, drape and silk like lustre. Rayon can wrinkle easily and shrinks quite a bit, so be sure to pre-wash your fabric. Rayon fabrics do vary in weight and opacity.


The fabric is very light, almost silk-like and makes it perfect for a softer more elegant scarf.


Choose a size

DIY scarf for teens and adults

You can simple use a whole square of fabric to make your DIY scarf. That way you have very little fabric scraps and you can still cut your scarf a little smaller, if you'd like. The square should have a length of a least 130cm (51"). If the fabric is a little wider, you can easily cut the scarf a little bigger. I would recommend to stay within a max of 150 x 150cm (59 x 59") otherwise you will have quite long tails hang off your shoulders. Most fabrics are 140cm wide, so that would be perfect.


DIY scarf for kids

Of course, the scarf would be perfect for kids too. Depending on their age, you can vary the size depending on each kid. Keep in mind that kids might wear the scarf differently than you. If you want to make a similar version to the adult scarf, cut a piece that is 120 x 120 cm (47 x 47").


Alternatively, you can also cut a smaller piece so that it simply tied in the back of the neck, rather than wrapped around. In this case, cut a square that measures 80 x 80 cm (31 1/2 x 31 1/2").


If your kid doesn't like that much fabric wrapped around their neck, you can also make the toddler version which is half a square. That means you can cut two scarf at once, either have one to change or to gift.




DIY scarf for toddlers

For toddlers, cutting a square won't be appropriate due to their size. You can cut a right triangle that measures 90 x 60 x 60 cm (35 x 23 1/2 x 23 1/2"). So you can simple use half a metre of fabric.



DIY scarf LITE

If you don't like that much fabric around your neck too, then I recommend cutting a triangle too. You have two options. Either you cut the full width of the fabric and divide the scarf into two triangles. Then you will end up with two identical triangles which you can easily gift to a loved one.


If the scarf is too long for your liking, then you can cut it similar to the toddler version. You will only need a metre of fabric. You can easily try it out with your measuring tap. Wrap the measuring tap around your neck, just like a scarf. If 140cm is enough for you, you can cut the fabric just like the toddler version. If you prefer the wrap a little looser, divide the scarf and you will end up with a length of 180 - 200 cm (depending on the width of the fabric).



How to finish the edges?

To finish the raw edges of the fabric, you will have a variety of options depending on your skill level and what tools you have at home. I will show you a variety of options and of course tell you my favourite. Two of the options, you can watch the video step by step on my social media channels as mentioned above.

You can finish the edges of the fabric square first and then fold the scarf into a triangle. Or you can sew the fabric into a triangle - this way you can even add tassels or pom poms on either sides of the triangle for a cuter look.


Finish the edge with an overlocker (serger)

If you own an overlocker (serger), you can easily finish the edges with an overlock stitch. This is the fastest way and you choose a contrasting thread colour for embellishment. Just go once around the whole square.



Rolled Seam with your sewing machine or overlocker (serger)

A rolled seam is a pretty and easy way to finish the scarf. Please read your instruction manual of your sewing machine or overlocker (serger) to check on the right settings. Every machine is different, so you will have practice a little before diving into your final fabric.



Cover-stitch or Zig Zag

If you have a cover-stitch machine, turn the edges under (to the wrong site of the fabric) by 1.5 cm (5/8") and then use the cover-stitch from the right site of your fabric. After a few washes, the fabric edge might fray a little and will give you a more relaxed & used look.

If you don't have a cover-stitch machine, you use the same steps on your sewing machine. You can either select a zig zag or straight stitch. Latter will fray much faster than the zig zag stitch.



Regular Hem

A more finished look but also more time-intensive way to finish your edges is your regular hem - press over twice by 1cm (3/8"). Make sure you make the edges look extract need. You can challenge yourself and make the corners extra need with a mitred corner.




Turning a triangle.

If you want to add tassels or just prefer the way to sew this version, you can sew the square into a triangle. All open edges will be sewn together and you will keep an opening of about 10 cm (4") to turn your project right side out. Once you have turned your scarf, you can sew the opening closed with a ladder stitch and a hand-sewing needle.


I have used this method to sew my DIY scarf in Double Gauze Leopard Brick.


If you have sewn the DIY scarf and shared it on your social media, don't forget to tag us @thread.werk or use hashtag #threadwerksewalong


Thanks for hanging out with me.

Happy Sewing,

Maria


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