Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make a Headscarf With Tails

Recycle leftover fabric from previous projects and make a trendy headscarf.

Recycle leftover fabric cuts from previous projects and make a trendy headscarf with tails. The length of the headscarf determines the length of tails. Extended length tails allows the wearer to self-tie the headscarf. Shortened tails can slide through buckle trims to adjust to a comfortable fit. Although designers use a variety of fabrics, textiles such as jersey or a Lycra blends allow the wearer to tie tails tightly around the head to secure it in place.

Things You'll Need

• Flexible tape measure
• Pattern paper
• Ruler
• Drafting pencil
• Scissors
• Fabric (your choice)
• Straight pins
• Fabric scissors
• Elasticized thread
• Sewing machine
• Serger machine

Instructions

Making the Headscarf Pattern

1. Position a flexible tape measure around your crown and the nape of your neck. The tape measure placement appears slightly on the diagonal. Allow the ends of the tape measure to extend from the nape to your desired length. For example, certain headscarf styles have extended tails finishing below the shoulders, measuring 50 inches in length and shortened tails finish 36 inches in length.

2. Measure the width of the headscarf with the tape measure. For instance for a four inch wide headscarf, add an extra one inch to the measurement for seam allowance. This ensures a turn-down hem for a clean finish.

3. Draw the headscarf pattern on pattern paper using a drafting pencil and ruler. Recycle paper grocery bags as another option to pattern paper. The pattern appears like an elongated rectangle shape and resembles a scarf.

4. Place the ruler on a 45° angle at each end of the tail. Draw the angled line to create shaped tails.

5. Cut out the paper pattern.

6. Open the fabric on your cutting table, selvage to selvage, which is the raw edge of the textile. Place the pattern on the bias onto the fabric, which is on the diagonal. This process allows the headscarf to wrap comfortably around the head and the tails to drape.

7. Pin the paper pattern with straight pins onto the fabric. If you are working delicate fabrics like georgette or satin, pin the pattern along the seam allowance to prevent visible pin-holes in the textile.

8. Cut out the fabric with sharp fabric scissors to avoid jagged raw edges.

Making the Headscarf with Tails

1. Machine stitch an overlock stitch along the raw edges of the headscarf. If your sewing machine does not have an overlock stitch, run the edges through a serger machine. This locks the raw edges and prevents fraying.

2. Turn down the seam allowance to the wrong side of the fabric and lightly iron. This process produces a hem all around the headscarf. This facilitates machine stitching for an even topstitch all around the headscarf and tails.

3. Topstitch the hem with a decorative stitch like a zigzag or tripunto, which is a triple needle stitch. Another option is to edge stitch the headscarf and tails. As a finishing alternative, trim the tails with fringe, beads, taping or feathers.

Tips & Warnings

• Match elasticized thread to the headscarf fabric. This thread type stretches as you tie around your head. It also prevents thread breakage as you pull to tie the tails.

References

• "The Sewing Book"; Alison Smith; 2009
• "One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces"; Sheila Brennan; 2008