Sewing a Border to a Cotton Scarf

Use a sewing machine with a presser foot to attach your border to your cotton scarf.

Cotton scarves are readily available at retail stores, consignment shops and garage sales. Dress up a plain cotton scarf with the addition of a ribbon border, giving an ordinary item a designer look. Take your color cues from the design of the scarf and pull out an accent color in the print of the fabric. For solid cotton scarves, select a patterned ribbon or a ribbon in a contrasting color to create a strong fashion statement.

Things You'll Need

• Washer
• Dryer
• Iron
• Cotton scarf
• 4 1/2 inch ribbon
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine with presser foot

Instructions

1. Wash, dry and iron your cotton scarf.

2. Measure the length and width of your cotton scarf.

3. Cut lengths of 4 1/2 inch ribbon to the precise measurements of each side of the cotton scarf.

4. Fold the appropriate ribbon in half over the top horizontal edge of the scarf. Pin the ribbon to the scarf with straight pins so that 2 1/4 inches of ribbon are on both sides of the scarf. Pin the ribbon to the bottom horizontal edge of the scarf so that 2 1/4 inches of ribbon are on both sides of the scarf.

5. Stitch the ribbon to the cotton scarf using cotton thread. Stitch one-quarter inch from the inside edge of the ribbon. Use a sewing machine with a presser foot and slowly sew the ribbon to the scarf. Remove the straight pins as you come to them.

6. Pin the ribbons to the vertical edges of the cotton scarf so that 2 1/4 inches of the ribbon are on both sides of the scarf. Sew the ribbons to the scarf with a sewing machine, removing the straight pins as you come to them.

7. Stitch a final hem one-quarter inch from the outside edge of the scarf, stitching all the way around the scarf.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute a different width of ribbon or use a contrasting cotton fabric to create a different border.

• Embellish the corners with bows or buttons for added texture.