How to Make a Fashion Scarf From a Sweater
Everyone has sweaters that are no longer in style, have stretched out of shape or no longer fit. Repurpose those sweaters into fashion scarves with just a few basic sewing steps. Create an infinity scarf that requires only a few cuts and basic sewing knowledge. Since the yarns in many knit sweaters will become undone if you cut into them, a little preparation is needed. By properly cutting and sewing your sweater fabric, you will have a fashionable scarf in very little time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Lightweight sweater
- Bias tape
- Straight pins
- Sewing shears
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Measuring tape or ruler
Instructions
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1
Select a sweater that does not have a great deal of bulk. A bulkier sweater can be made into a warm scarf, but for a scarf to wear as a fashion accessory, a lighter weight is preferable.
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2
Purchase bias tape as close in color to the sweater as possible.
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3
Lay the sweater out on your work surface and stretch the arms out to the sides.
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4
Measure a few inched down the side of the sweater from the underarm. Pin the bias tape across the body of the sweater using straight pins, around the front and back. Pin only through the top layer of the sweater and work around to the back. Pin the ends together.
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5
Thread the sewing machine with coordinating thread. Stitch the bias tape onto the sweater, starting at one end and continuing around the sweater until you reach the end. Pull the bottom edge of the sweater onto the throat plate of the machine, using a free arm attachment if available, pulling it under the needle and scrunching the fabric so you can stitch through one layer around the center of the sweater. This will create the tube for the "infinity" scarf.
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6
Cut the thread and excess bias tape.
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7
Cut the sweater just above the edge of the bias tape. Fold the bias tape to the wrong side of the sweater and pin it in place. Stitch with a zigzag stitch.
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8
Measure how wide you want the finished scarf to be and pin another strip of bias tape around the sweater at this measurement.
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9
Stitch the bias tape in place.
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10
Cut the sweater just outside of the bias tape. Turn the tape to the inside and stitch as you did for the first row.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the bottom, ridge edge of the sweater for a scarf that requires only one row of stitching. Cut a few inches from the bottom after pinning the bias tape and stitching in place. The bottom of the sweater will become the opposite edge of the scarf.
By using the bottom edge for one scarf, you may be able to make two or three additional scarves from one sweater, depending on the width of each.
Incorporate sections of the sweater with decorative stitching in your scarf design.
