Zero Waste: Make a Silk Scarf from Scrap Fabric

 

Scarves and belts are great accessories that can elevate an outfit. Both are also easily made from leftover fabric from your sewing projects.

Designing the Scarf

A scarf can be any size or shape you want. Typically scarves are made as small or large squares or as long rectangles..... but the size is really limited to your imagination and how your want to use it.

I recently made a scarf to go with an off the shoulder dress I made from Vogue 1674. The purpose of the scarf was to convert an evening to day look, to add modesty to the dress when needed and to provide warmth if the room was cold. I decided I wanted a large rectangular scarf instead of a large square. 

I made my scarf a rectangle so I could tie it and wear it in a multitude of ways.

 Cutting the Fabric for the Scarf

To make the scarf, I cut a piece of 26x44 inch silk and then used my serger to make a rolled hem. I had between 1/2 and 2/3 yard of fabric leftover from a blouse I had made years ago, so the size of my scarf was dictated at least in part by the amount of fabric I had left.

Extra Thread: Serger Thread + Embroidery Thread

I used standard serger thread and added a second embroidery thread in each of the lower loopers. The additional thread made the hem 5 threads: one in the needle and four (2 each) in the loopers. 

Adding embroidery threads makes the rolled hem more polished, adds a bit of shine and avoids the look where fabric peeks out. 

This method is a quick and easy use of scrap fabric, especially silks and rayon challis.

Happy Sewing!