How to Make a Scarf for a Coat

A scarf keeps you warm and accessorizes your winter coat.

Dressing up your coat with a scarf is an easy and simple way to accessorize your look. Many types of scarves are available, allowing you to choose one that goes with your personal style and matches the design of your coat. Making a scarf is often less expensive than buying one and many of them come together quickly with minimal supplies. Look for fabric and sewing materials at a fabric or craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Needle and thread or sewing machine
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Choose the fabric for your scarf. If you are matching it with a casual coat, choose fleece or flannel, which will create a casual scarf. Use silk or tapestry-style fabric if you are pairing your scarf with a fancy coat.

2. Cut your fabric. Decide how long you want the scarf to be and cut your fabric accordingly. If you plan to tie or wrap it around your neck, leave additional fabric for this purpose. At the same time, choose how wide you want the scarf. Be sure it isn't so wide that it won't fit under the collar of your coat without bunching.

3. Sew a hem in the fabric all the way around. Use a sewing machine or needle and thread. Make sure it is even all the way around, which will prevent your scarf from looking lopsided. If you are using fleece, it doesn't require a hem to prevent fraying, allowing you to skip this step.

4. Add embellishments. Sew on tassels, beads or felt flowers to dress up your scarf and make it unique. Or attach pins to the back of the embellishments, which allows you to remove them for washing and changing the accessories on your scarf. For fleece scarves, cut about 2 or 3 inch strips, about a 1/4-inch apart, at each end of the scarf. Tie a knot at the top of each strip to create a fringe.

Tips & Warnings

• Use two lengths of fabric sewn together to create a double-sided scarf, which is more durable and will keep you warmer.

• If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, many scarf patterns are available that allow you to create a unique and warm scarf to match your coat.

• If you are a quilter, a scarf made from quilt blocks in fun and different from what you are likely to find on store shelves.

• If you are a novice sewer, look for classes that help you refine your techniques before you start a scarf project.

• Coat scarves are fast and inexpensive to create, making them an ideal gift for holidays and birthdays.

• Other materials that make good coat scarves include old T-shirts or fleece blankets.

References

• All Free Sewing: 13 Ways to Learn How to Sew a Scarf
• Skip to My Lou: How to Make a Scarf