Ruffly Neck Warmer Scarf

Well while my camera battery is dead, I can post about this scarf that I made my fantastic sister-in-law yesterday!
I've been wanting to try shirring for so long now, and I have no idea why I was so afraid of it. Maybe because it seemed too easy. I have a way of messing those things up :o)



I made this from some super-soft white (fur?) fabric that I've had in my stash for quite a while, just waiting for the right project!



I added some black lace trimming around the edges to keep it from fraying, and then shirred it twice in the middle. Pretty stinkin' easy! It needs a brooch or a big black silk bow though, I think.



I have to tell you about my sister-in-law, Larissa. Several years ago her family moved to town and went to the same Church as us, and Riss and I were almost instantly the best of friends. Later on, we decided that she should marry my brother, and I guess we must be pretty convincing ladies, 'cause that's exactly what happened! Now they have the sweetest little boy, Jack, and Paige loves to play with him and boss him around. (poor Jack!)



Anyway, back to shirring! If you've never done it, go do it right now! Or, soon, at least. All you do is get yourself some elastic thread ($1.50 at Walmart!) and thread it (fairly) tightly in your bobbin, then sew with a long strait stitch! I'm thinking next time I will wind my thread a little more tightly, to get more ruffly ruffles, but not bad for a first try!

Comments

  1. signsoftimensuchDecember 13, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    I love this...how long was the material before you put the elastic on it...trying to figure out how you did this...I would love to make some for my girls...

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 13, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    Hooray for shirring!!! It came out cute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RosiesDecember 13, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    You thread it tightly?? Mine never works tightly! I have to wind it really loose or it just won't gather. Interesting! Super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. DisneyDecember 13, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    Oh, maybe I should loosen it a little then! It says to thread it tightly on the package...but maybe it's lying!! I'll try it loosely and see what it does!

    ReplyDelete
  5. TaniaDecember 13, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    So cute! I've been making these too, but I didn't even use elastic thread. Of course it doesn't stretch, but still ruffles. I love the lace on the edge of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  6. original.stuffDecember 13, 2009 at 8:56 PM

    winding looser is better - tightly, but without stretching it. when you're done stitching your item, steam it with your iron... it will "shrink" right up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DisneyDecember 13, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Ohhhh, THAT kind of tightly. I get it now. I can't wait to try again! Luckily, I really love the way this one was a little less gathered.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jori HodgsonDecember 13, 2009 at 11:02 PM

    Ooh! This is great! Is that furry fabric furry on both sides? I love it, it's pretty.

    When you're using this technique, do you put the stretchy thread JUST in the bobbin or do you use it both as the thread and bobbin? I'm new to sewing but I used to a lot when I was in Middle School :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. TrudyDecember 14, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    It's very nice. Do hand wind the bobbin? And what do you have for the top thread?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sarah ForbesDecember 14, 2009 at 8:25 AM

    lovely... shirring is so much fun. The only problem I have had is it coming out after a few wearings. Gotta figure out a solutin to that problem. Maybe I am not finishing it right? Wonderful job. I may haveto try it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sarah ForbesDecember 14, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    I found some more!
    http://images.google.com/images?q=free+clock+face+image&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=C2gmS_G_DoTqsQP5pLngDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCIQsAQwAA

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousDecember 16, 2009 at 5:40 AM

    Here is a great tutorial at "Your Fabric Place" on shirring.
    http://yourfabricplace.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-sew-with-elastic-thread-shirring.html

    Can't wait to get to the store.

    ReplyDelete
  13. NatashaDecember 20, 2009 at 6:46 PM

    Lovely!! I started shirring with the Heather Ross dress Martha made on her show over the summer & have been in love ever since! Never though to do a scarf though...brilliant!

    For the reader who mentioned their's eventually comes undone in the wash, I've found that if I do a little backstitch at the beginning and end (even though they tell you not too) and also stitch a straight line perpindicular to my shirring rows at the ends (to tack them all down in case one were to become loose) it will hold up really well. I've washed my daughter's smocked dress a zillion times & it's still holding up. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I just love finding them! Comments on older posts are moderated, so if your comment doesn't show up right away, it will soon! :o)