Ann swiftly sews several spring silk scarves sitting at the serger as snow softly settles on the sidewalk.
Try saying that 3 times!
One of my New Year's resolutions was to wear more neutrals, adding color with scarves. So, this weekend, while the snow was falling beautifully from my window, I dreamed of Spring and sewed a few warm-weather silk scarves. I had purchased all of these silk chiffons from FabricMart.
To say that I sewed them is really quite an exaggeration. What I did was cut the fabric in half, and then serged around the edges using the "rolled edging" setting on my serger.
To make a scarf like this, you have to have about 2 yards of fabric. For me, the minimum is 1-3/4 yard, and the max is 2-1/4 yard. I think that might differ according to your personal stature. A more petite woman might prefer a little less. I like silk chiffon the best. It is so lightweight, that you don't feel that you are wearing anything, yet it actually does provide a surprising amount of warmth if it is chilly. And yet, it's not particularly "hot", during warmer weather either. When it gets warmer, I will probably just loop them at chest level, instead of tying so closely around my neck.
I cut the entire length in half, lengthwise, so that I have two long lengths, each between 22" and 27" wide, depending on the original width of your fabric. You'll have one for you, and one for a friend! I gave my other halves to my daughter, who always is wearing a scarf.
I have tried using just one yard of fabric, cutting it in half and joining the two halves with a french seam to get the proper length. I wouldn't recommend it. The seam really gets in the way, and just isn't worth it.
If you wait for a sale at FabricMart, you can often get silk chiffon for about $8/yd. So, if you purchase two yards, and it makes two scarves, that's just $8 per scarf. You can buy cheaper scarves in the stores, but they will likely by polyester or rayon. A real silk scarf can cost well over $100, and designer scarves up to $400!
I have a Babylock Imagine serger, and to change to the rolled edging setting just involves removing the left needle, and adjusting a few knobs. I know that other sergers sometimes require a plate change. If you don't have a serger, I would recommend doing a Baby Hem with your regular sewing machine. I blogged about how to do that in this post.
I like this You Tube video on tying scarves just to mix it up!
I also made one infinity scarf from a mesh knit. I really like mesh knits for this purpose, and they are much cheaper and more practical than silk scarves, especially if you have children. They do snag easily, so keep your cats and rings away from them. And they don't have the "loft" of chiffon- laying flatter against your body.
To make an infinity scarf, you need 1/2 yard of a knit fabric that is at least 60" wide. To complete: sew long sides together, turn right side out, twist twice, then sew short ends together. So simple!
And lastly, my 21 year old daughter went to India in January, and she brought me a silk scarf from there. If I tie it correctly, it looks like two fish kissing.
So, that's one thing checked off of my New Year's goals! Yay!
How about you- do you like to wear scarves? Do you sew your own?
Happy Sewing!
Ann
Try saying that 3 times!
One of my New Year's resolutions was to wear more neutrals, adding color with scarves. So, this weekend, while the snow was falling beautifully from my window, I dreamed of Spring and sewed a few warm-weather silk scarves. I had purchased all of these silk chiffons from FabricMart.
To say that I sewed them is really quite an exaggeration. What I did was cut the fabric in half, and then serged around the edges using the "rolled edging" setting on my serger.
I have tried using just one yard of fabric, cutting it in half and joining the two halves with a french seam to get the proper length. I wouldn't recommend it. The seam really gets in the way, and just isn't worth it.
If you wait for a sale at FabricMart, you can often get silk chiffon for about $8/yd. So, if you purchase two yards, and it makes two scarves, that's just $8 per scarf. You can buy cheaper scarves in the stores, but they will likely by polyester or rayon. A real silk scarf can cost well over $100, and designer scarves up to $400!
I have a Babylock Imagine serger, and to change to the rolled edging setting just involves removing the left needle, and adjusting a few knobs. I know that other sergers sometimes require a plate change. If you don't have a serger, I would recommend doing a Baby Hem with your regular sewing machine. I blogged about how to do that in this post.
I like this You Tube video on tying scarves just to mix it up!
I also made one infinity scarf from a mesh knit. I really like mesh knits for this purpose, and they are much cheaper and more practical than silk scarves, especially if you have children. They do snag easily, so keep your cats and rings away from them. And they don't have the "loft" of chiffon- laying flatter against your body.
To make an infinity scarf, you need 1/2 yard of a knit fabric that is at least 60" wide. To complete: sew long sides together, turn right side out, twist twice, then sew short ends together. So simple!
And lastly, my 21 year old daughter went to India in January, and she brought me a silk scarf from there. If I tie it correctly, it looks like two fish kissing.
So, that's one thing checked off of my New Year's goals! Yay!
How about you- do you like to wear scarves? Do you sew your own?
Happy Sewing!
Ann
So clever. I'm going to be trying that.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love to wear scarves, but my dilemma is that I have too many patterns in my wardrobe. I need more solids, which is my current sewing goal.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'm always seduced by a pretty print, even though I know solids are more practical in the long run.
DeleteAhhhh....a woman after my heart. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Digs!
DeletePretty scarves
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