Sewing Projects

Sheer Geometry Scarf

Our pretty summery project comes from Sew Easy Scarves, a fabulous book by Linda Lee that includes 12 unique scarf ideas.

Shimmering little squares, with peek-a-boo holes, adorn this airy sheer scarf. Follow this design or make your own glittery shapes in monotone or contrasting colours.

Requirements

Finished size 20.5 x 147.5 cm (8" x 58")

1.5 m of sheer fabric (1 5/8 yd)
20 cm pieces of taffeta, satin or charmeuse fabric for square accents (1/8 yd)
Bondaweb or double sided fusible web
Buttonhole cutter and wood block

Preparation

1. Cut or tear one piece of sheer fabric 20.5 x 147.5 cm (8 x 58”)

2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, fuse web to the wrong side of the accent fabrics

3. Cut forty 4 cm (1 ½”) accent squares

Construction

1. Remove the paper backing from the small squares. Place five squares along one short end of the scarf, matching the edges of each square with the raw edge of the scarf and spacing them about 13 mm (1/2”)  apart. Fuse the squares to the scarf.  

2. Repeat another row of five squares next to the previous row and fuse in place.

3. Continue fusing squares with a row of four squares, three squares, two squares and finishing with one square.

4. Repeat this pattern at the opposite end of the scarf.

5. Using the buttonhole cutter and a block of wood, cut a random pattern of square holes through a few of the fused squares.

6. Trim the sheer fabric between each end square to make a ‘fringe’. 

7. Finish the long edges of the sheer scarf (see Techniques below).

TECHNIQUES USED TO FINISH SCARF

Techniques used include hemming with an overlocker, making a two-thread roll hem, using one needle and the lower looper thread to roll and finish the edges. Or use a three thread roll hem, again with one needle but both upper and lower looper threads to roll and finish the edges of the fabric.

However, alternative hemming methods include machine zigzag, allowing the needle to swing off the edge of fabric when taking the right stitch or a French Seam (pin fabric wrong sides together and stitch 6 mm (1/4”) from raw edge. Trim seam allowance to scant 3 mm (1/8”) and refold with right sides together and seam on fold. Stitch again taking a 1 cm (3/8”) seam.

This scarf project has been reproduced from Sew Easy Scarves by Linda Lee, published by Sixth & Spring Books and distributed in the UK by GMC Publications (tel: 01273 488005). Priced £14.95 it is a fabulous book for beginners who want to create a collection of lovely scarves. It contains a 48 page booklet with techniques plus 12 project cards each with a clear photograph and instructions. For further details see our review in Book Reviews. Available from good book outlets nationally, for details tel: 01273 488005 or email: pubs@thegmcgroup.com.