Candy Stripe Scrunch Scarf – scarf tutorial

  This scarf tutorial uses strips of fabric ans shirring to make a yummy scarf!  This DIY uses a fun combination of minky and jersey knit for a fun contrast in texture.

You will need:

1/4 yard fleece (or bubble minky like I use in the example)
1/4 yard Jersey knit (t-shirt knit – you could upcycle a t-shirt also)
elastic thread
thread
rotary cutter, ruler and mat

 

1 – Cut out pattern

Print up the pattern (you can get assembly instructions here – but there is not need for this pattern.)
Cut out pattern pieces.
Using the template provided cut three strips of each fabric of the entire length of fabric (approximately 60 inches).  I like using the template because I can never get my ruler straight – this way you can quickly check the top and the bottom to see that your strip of fabric is consistently the same width.

Upcycle – Take a t-shirt and Cut horizontally across the body to get the strips, cut one side – sew together to make 3 strips 60 inches in length.

Tip: Fleece fabrics are typically wide and I don’t have a large cutting mat.  I just use the plastic mat under my computer chair.  It’s wide, soft plastic, takes abuse and odds are you already have one!

 

2 – Begin to sew.

Because you are working with fleece and jersey, finishing the edges is not necessary – we won’t do that with this scarf.
Take one of each strip one of Minky and one of Jersey) and sew them together at on end, by over lapping them 1 inch – right side to wrong side.
Do this with each strip.  Now you should have three long strips.

 

3- Build the scarf pin and sew.

Now that you have three long strips it’s time to lay out your scarf.  Now I know that you’re thinking “Wow, this scarf is long!”  Don’t worry it will scrunch to the right length.

Using your spiffy template stagger each strips, alternating color/fabric.  Overlap each piece (right side to wrong side) half an inch and pin.

Using a straight stitch sew all the way down the scarf, using the edge of your presser foot to the edge of the fabric as a guide.

 

3 – Scrunching (Shirring) – the fun part!

Next shirring!  You will need to take your elastic thread and HAND WIND it around your lower bobbin, lengthen your stitch and loosen your tension. I STRONGLY recommend testing this out on a fleece scrap before you try this on your scarf. (Still not comfortable or confused? For a more in depth tutorial on shirring go here.)
Beginning with the outside edge of your scarf and using the outside of your presser foot as a guide – start at the very end and sew all the way down.  Repeat 3 more times (two on the seams and the last on the other outside edge.
Trim all your threads.