132: How to Make Hand-Rolled Scarves

Also view the video that gives these instructions

Scarves are a glamorous alternative to masks

Today in the midst of this miserable pandemic, everyone is wearing masks. But there is an alternative, suggested by Elizabeth Wellington, fashion staff columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She wrote a column, Stylish must-have: The scarf In her column Ms. Wellington says that scarves bring a welcome bit of brightness to what’s become our daily dose of bad news. She shows Dr. Deborah Birx wearing one of her trademark scarves.

Wouldn’t you love to have an exquisitely beautiful scarf? But they are SO expensive. Or are they?

This post shows how to make a scarf

It’s SO easy to do, but it will take a little time.

Here are some I’ve made. Mine were cut from the same fabric I used to make my blouses (photos 1 and 2).

Scarves are easy to make! You only need some fabric, scissors, some thread, and a hand needle. You don’t even need a sewing machine.

How to cut scarves from chiffon, silk, and other slippery fabrics

Scarves can be cut any number of sizes: squares, triangles, rectangles, long and narrow, short and wide. An easy way to decide the size you want is to wrap a tape measure around your neck. Or you can use a scarf you already have as a pattern.

(Note: If you are making a scarf as an alternative to a mask, consider making it from 100% cotton – see below in this post.)

Many fabrics that make good scarves are slippery. But they are not hard to cut if you ply the fabric between tracing paper, or wax paper. Whatever you have (diagram 3).

Here is a layout I used to make a friend a silk hat and matching silk scarf. In this case the silk was thick, so I didn’t need to cut the fabric sandwiched between tracing paper (photos 4 and 5)..

I first laid in the scarf pattern, then added the hat patterns. I waited to cut until I was sure all the pieces fit.

How to hand-roll the scarves’ edges

Here is how you do it! You roll the edges of the fabric, stitching as you do. Then you just pull on the thread, and the fabric rolls into a thin, beautiful finish. It does take a little time. I always roll the edges of my scarves while I’m watching television (diagram 6).

Photo 7 shows the hand rolling I’ve just done in a scarf I’m currently making. It takes time, but the results are worth it.

Scarves should be cut from 100% cotton, if they are to be used as a mask alternative

Photo 8 shows a scarf cut from fabric left over from making the CoverAidPHL scarves. Because the fabric is 100 % cotton, the scarf can be used as a substitute for a mask.

My son and I are making videos that show high-end design room sewing techniques

Andrew is currently editing the the scarf video in which I will show you more about making the scarves. It should go up soon.

Andrew and I have a verbal agreement with Phillycam.org to produce a 30 minute video a month, as we are now making sewing videos.

Our first is up on UTube. In that video I show how I made videos for CoverAidPHL. The video is also about how to use mass-production in the home. Minimal equipment is needed. All of the sewing shownin the video is done on a feather-weight sewing machine.

If you wish, while visiting that site you can subscribe to be notified whenever we put a new video up.

PhillyCAM has posted interviews with three producers making shows at home. If you scroll down their post, Andrew is the third one interviewed.  He tells about his filming techniques.

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