How to Make a Scarf Out of Fabric With Stitch Witchery

A hem trim created with Stitch Witchery helps makes an attractive head scarf.

Stitch Witchery is an alternative to sewing. It is a brand of polyamide fusible web that binds together two fabric layers through the heat of a steam iron. It is useful to add trims to garments and home furnishings and to make hems, belts and straps. The bond remains permanent after fusing and prevents fraying on seams. A scarf is easy to make by hemming a piece of fabric with Stitch Witchery.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8-inch-wide Stitch Witchery
• Fabric of choice, about 42 by 42 inches minimum
• Fabric chalk
• Scissors
• Steam iron
• Ironing board
• Damp cloth

Instructions

1. Cut 1/4-inch diagonal slits into each of the four corners of the fabric square, to avoid bulking.

2. Lay the fabric on an ironing board, wrong-side up. Fold 1/8 inch along one edge, and iron to crease the fold. Do the same with the other three sides. Then fold over each edge another 1/8 inch and press again, to create a hem on all four sides -- with the raw edges hidden inside the folds.

3. Cut the Stitch Witchery to fit along each of the scarf edges. Place the Stitch Witchery between the hem fold and the wrong side of the fabric. With the fabric still wrong-side up, cover it with a damp cloth. Set the steam iron to the "wool" temperature setting.

4. Place the iron over one of the edges and press for 10 seconds. Shift the fabric as needed on the ironing board, and press the other three edges -- each for 10 seconds.

5. Turn over the scarf so it's right-side up. Repeat Step 4.

6. Allow the scarf to cool. Make sure that the hem bonds are secure. Press again, if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a light or medium weight fabric for the scarf, such as 100 percent cotton or a cotton blended with silk or acetate. This can be a neck scarf, head scarf or larger head dressing.

• Use rubbing alcohol to remove excess stitch witchery from fabric after it has bonded.

• Avoid using stitch witchery on fabric that stretches across a bias.

• Remember that repeated washing in hot water and chemical cleaning will loosen stitch witchery. Re-iron or rebind the fabric join if it begins to come apart after laundering.

References

• Prym Consumer USA: Stitch Witchery
• Stan’s Sewing Supplies: Fusible Interfacing Stitch Witchery
• Thesewingguru.com: What is Fusing?

Resources

• Threads Magazine: Seam Finishes for Silks