I thought a bit of palate cleansing was in order before I hit the last intensity of the coat construction. Last fall I did a seminar on making scarves. I do that sort of thing now and then. One of the techniques I taught was cutting fabric into spirals, connecting them and then grouping them up to make a scarf. They were cute but were a more "stringy" look, but not in a negative way. They were just different from what I am showing today. This technique is one I saw somewhere, after doing that seminar, and I wish I could remember where to credit the person who inspired me. Thank you, if you are reading. This method of construction differs from the seminar in that these are just big fat circles cut of felted wool, so so easy. They were the perfect project to give me a break from all that "black" sewing. And they were both completed in a total of two hours. The time would have been much less without the extra embellishment. I'll show you how I did them which is really easy.
Fold a piece of paper in fourths, you know, fold in half, then in half again. Put your compass at 1 1/2 inches and draw a circle at the folded corner. Then put your compass at between 6-7 inches and again, point in the corner, draw a bigger circle. Yes, you ask, that is my new toy in the background and I love it, a Samsung Tab3, yahoo! We are playing Spanish bolero music while I sew today. Love me some bolero, ay!
I used 3 and a half donuts per scarf. Cut a slit into each scarf. If the fabric is not felted, cut it on the bias.
Then I butted the edges with tape and sewed them together with a zigzag stitch on this heavily felted wool. On scarf number two I sewed a regular seam and trimmed closely as the fabric was much thinner.
Pay attention that the right sides are all facing up. That brings to mind that both sides will show so a fabric that is the same on both sides or really close will work best.
When the pieces are all stitched together shape the two ends into a nice curvy point.
At this point the scarf could be officially completed but I wanted to add a bit of color and texture. Enter Funky Yarn! If you haven't looked at yarn lately you are really missing some embellishment opportunities. There are some really fun yarns out at the chains that are begging to be stitched up. I don't knit but I can't resist them. So I twisted and twirled this nubby yarn, pinned it to the scarve and stitched it on with a straight stitch that barely shows. I then did all the edges as well. WTH!
This scarf took the bulk of the two hours because of the embellishment but then I was on a roll. the next scarf I did was from a felted angora wool sweater, much thinner and drapier than the check coating. I did no additional embellishment.
Now that I have had the chance to dabble in some color as well as pull in a couple of projects at lightening speed, it is time to hit the coat again. Hopefully done and photo'd soon.....Bunny
What kind of pattern weights are those?
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, that big piece of glass is something I picked up at a gift shop meant to hold votive candles. The smaller ones are just pretty pieces of glass that I've picked up here and there over the years, all gift shop material. They weigh a lot and that big one is priceless and often the only one I need.
DeleteLovely scarfs, great idea to do something less time consuming. The embellished one is my favorite, love the colors combined with the black and white fabric.
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! I understand needing a break from the intensive work on the coat. I'm sure these beautiful scarves will work wonders on refreshing your mojo!
ReplyDeletethese are cute - I like the last one
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, the scarfs are very pretty. Are you listening to Armando Manzanero? Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI just put in Bolero on Pandora and wonderful music comes up. I really like Edie Gorme. Amazing how people in this country don't know she had an amazing career in Spanish music. She was actually a translator before she succeeded in music. She grew up in a totally Hispanic neighborhood in NYC and that is how she learned the language and culture. She sings this type of music beautifully. I will search out Manzanero next time I'm back in my studio. Gracias, Florencia!
DeleteI know, sewing on all black is very stressful on the eyes. Love your scarf!
ReplyDeleteI know you know as you just finished that fabulous jacket. You did a great job on that, Faye!
DeleteThanks for posting those pretty scarves. I think I'll give it a try.
DeleteYour circle scarf could be a nice embellishment on a French jacket. Great idea! I knitted a scarf that is similar to this.
ReplyDeleteLove your scarf ! Is it possible to make with other types of fabric too?
ReplyDeleteYes, because all of the edges are bias so won't ravel. Also, with a thin fabric, like a chiffon or charmeuse, you could just make two scarves, sew them together on the edges, and turn right side out. That could be really pretty.
DeleteI've been thinking about making some scarves from my growing accumulation of scraps. thanks for sharing these inspirational pieces.
ReplyDeleteFun little accents with a splash of color for your neckline...very PRETTY, Bunny!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how those fancy yarns would work with your embellish/felting machine??
I bet fabulous! If I pull out my felting machine I will never finish my coat, LOL! That thing is just too much fun and I get pulled away from everything else. But, you've inspired me and I may give it a go before you know it!
DeleteVery pretty!!~
ReplyDeleteI've been following along and I confess, I'm jumping with antecipation regarding your new coat!! I can't wait to see it finished!
Thanks for the Edie Gorme comment. Now I know someone who knows who she is--I work with college students :) The scarves are wonderful. Thanks for showing, now I feel more confident to make an attempt at these.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Edie Gorme and Latin Music as well but only in the past couple of years learned what a big part she played in that venue. Thank you, Pandora!
DeleteI hope you give the scarves a try. They are really easy. Let me know how you make out with them.
I love the scarves, thanks for the nice tutorial!
ReplyDeleteWonderful and fun tutorial Bunny, as always! And speaking of pattern weights, I once noticed the smooth rocks pictured in one of your articles (for holding down patterns), and remembered I had brought some rocks home from a trip to Lake Superior. These are the best pattern weights one could ask for....so smooth, various sizes and depending on the rock can be very heavy. If I haven't thanked you for this, then I'll do it now....Thanks once again for a wonderful tip!
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