How to Sew a Shrug

A shrug can provide modest covering if you are wearing clothing that is scant or revealing. A shrug is also an attractive option for keeping warm when you are wearing a strapless gown or blouse. Instead of purchasing a shrug, even someone with nominal sewing skills can sew a shrug quickly and easily. Choose a stretchy velvet fabric that will complement your gown, and you can sew a shrug in under an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure 5/8 yard stretch velvet fabric (60 inches wide) 5/8 yard stretch jersey fabric (60 inches wide) Fabric pen Sewing machine Pins

Instructions

1. Lay the stretch jersey fabric out onto a flat work surface with the right side facing up. Place the velvet on top of the jersey fabric with the wrong side facing up (the fabrics are placed together with right sides facing each other). Pin the fabrics together so they do not shift.

2. 

   Measure in 14 inches from each short side at the top and bottom of the fabric, and place a mark at points 1, 2, 3 and 4, according to the diagram. Measure 3 1/2 inches down from the top and up from the bottom, and place a mark at points 5, 6, 7 and 8, according to the diagram.

3. Use a ruler to draw lines between the marks made in Step 2. Cut along the lines through both layers of fabric to remove the corner triangles (the yellow corners in the diagram).

4. Keep the two fabrics together with the right sides facing each other. Stitch along the edges, beginning at point 3 and sewing clockwise around the fabric to end at point 4. Sew using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. This will leave an opening for turning.

5. Turn the shrug right side out.

6. Hand-sew the opening closed with small whip stitches.

7. 

   Fold the shrug in half width-wise, with the velvet facing the inside and the stretch jersey facing the outside. Pin points 5 and 6 together, points 1 and 3 together, points 2 and 4 together and points 7 and 8 together.

8. Create the sleeves by hand-stitching with small whip stitches between points 5 and 6, 1 and 3, 2 and 4, and 7 and 8.

9. Turn the shrug so the velvet is on the outside.