Easy Ruffled T-shirt Scarf

Today was one of those rare, laid-back Sundays. I was even in my Sunday school class before all my little students, which almost never happens! :o)

And since we had no plans after church, I took the opportunity to make this little scarf that popped into my head as I was making lunch.


I intended to make it for myself, but I didn't have quite enough material from these two old, ill-fitting shirts of mine, so I made one for Paige!

It was so easy. (yay for easy!)
All you do is cut three strips, the same length, but each one a little wider. (Using shirts, you may need to piece two strips together to get the right length.)

For Paige's, I made three 55" strips in 3", 4", and 5" widths. The finished length of the scarf is about 35".


Then you lay them on top of each other. largest on bottom, smallest on top, and pin.


Wind your bobbin loosely with elastic thread:


Set your straight stitch to the longest length, and sew two rows, on either side of the middle strip, back-stitching at the beginning and end of each row.


Ruffly!
:o)


I can't believe how quick it was!

You could also skip the elastic thread, and just gather it into a ruffle, the only difference would be that it wouldn't stretch.

I can't wait to find a larger t-shirt to make one for me! I need one in yellow, which has become my favorite color of the moment :o) It feels so springy! To make an adult sized one, I would probably make the strips 4", 6", and 8" wide, and about 65-70" long. But you can adjust it to whatever length you'd like!

Comments

  1. It is SOOO gorgeous...I would like one too please :)

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  2. What a fantastic idea! I purchased a lightweight fleece scarf similar to the one you made and love the stretchiness due to the elastic cord. Keeps the scarf from coming undone easily. Beautiful work! Hoping my husband has some old band t-shirts I could make one out of!

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  3. Very Good idea,i love your blog !
    Kisses from Brazil

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  4. you out-do yourself every time! :)

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  5. I stumbled across your blog a while back and it has been mad love ever since. You are such a wonderful mom that I pray I will become one day. It's so nice to see many of your craft and projects relates to your daughter. You are truly inspiring 8)

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  6. Paige looks precious in her pretty scarf. Did you pin it with a fabric flower?
    super cute!

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  7. Oh my goodness! This is the coolest idea and it turned out absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!! I want one!

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  8. If you sew normally with elastic thread it just gets scrunchy like that? I'm a beginner sewer so I don't know much!

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  9. Never knew you could put elastic in the bobbin!!! Wow! You learn something everyday!

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  10. Fantastic idea!! When you put the bobbin (with the elastic thread) into the machine, do you load it the same way? Meaning, do you hook the elastic thread around the little do-hickie? Does my question make sense? I have tried the elastic thread before, and I don't think I loaded the bobbin right because it didn't gather the fabric. Thanks for any help!!!

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    1. I'm very new to sewing. I read lots on using elastic thread on bobbin and YES, you do need to BE SURE that it goes around the little do-hickie. I order 2000 yrds of both black and white elastic thread. I can't wait as I'm making aprons. Scarves and skirts from tshirts. I got the tshirts for $1.97 from xs childs to xxxl adult, same price MANY colors. (Joann's clearance)

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  11. Yes, you just thread the bobbin the same way as usual! The only difference is that you wind it by hand, and more loosely, so it doesn't break!

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  12. Love this one, I am going to try this very soon.

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  13. Wow Disney, I absolutely love your blog! I've never been a blog reader up until now, and I wish I had found you earlier! I can't believe how creative you are! You've definately inspired me to start being creative and will have my own blog up soon (hopefully, still pretty new to the idea!)

    Cheers
    Katrina

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  14. I havent used stretchy thread before. Does it automatically ruffle when you are finished sewing or do you have to ruffle it before finishing the stitch? BTW, I have been readsing your blog for a couple months and it rocks! Always inspiring....

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  15. That's beautiful! I've never even heard of elastic thread.

    -FringeGirl

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  16. You make it look so easy!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Adorable scarf and adorable daughter. I will have to try the scarf I love those quick and easy projects

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  18. Fabulous scarf!! I love the colors and the prints you chose!

    I featured your tutorial out on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-stretchy-ruffled-t-shirt-scarf-for-kids/2010/02/21/

    --Anne

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  19. SO so darling. Your sewing talent is just sooo amazing! I love your projects!!!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  20. Adorable! I have some elastic thread just waiting to be used...

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  21. Hi, this looks fantastic. Have to make some for my twins. Do you use the elastic on the top thread too or just regular cotton?

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  22. What a great idea to layer it! It turned out great!

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  23. That is so stinkin' cute! One of these days I have GOT to try the elastic in the bobbin thing. (I just keep forgetting to buy the elastic when I'm at the craft store. Duh me. :)

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  24. I've got to try that - I have some elastic thread just waiting to be used for ruffles!

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  25. Oh My Heck! This is absolutely lovely! I love the how the colors of the shirt fabrics go together...super feminine and girly! LOVE!!!
    -Mags

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  26. so cute!
    also, loving your profile pic!

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  27. cute disney!
    though I'm really sad you cut up that coral colored shirt. It was totally cute!

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  28. You make everything look too easy! Super cute!

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  29. I love your blog and all the cute things you make oh how I wish I knew how to sew!I have an award for you on my blog, peasterpeach.blogspot.com

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  30. I have never thought of using elastic thread in my bobbin! This is a very cool idea. I had so many old shirts with prints I loved but were worn out and I have just saved them wondering what to do with them. Awesome! Thank you!

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  31. What a great idea!! Now I won't trow away each shirt that easy anymore...Thanks!!

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  32. Those shirts were cute,and scarf is adorable!Love your blog!

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  33. I just got some elastic thread after seeing some of your great ideas for it! How do you finish the ends of the thread to keep it from just coming undone? Tie knots?

    LOVE seeing all your creative ideas! Keep up the good work!

    ~Wallis

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  34. I love this. I definitely want to try this one.

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  35. Seems like we could all use one of your super tutorials on elastic thread! I was intrigued. I love all your stuff btw.

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  36. you are WAY SO COOL! Thanks for sharing.
    ~christine @ cgleongphotography.blogspot.com

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  37. Love it! Looks like a scarf girls of all ages would enjoy :)

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  38. This is so great, I have a bunch of shirts I could use this for. Thank you!

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  39. I think little Paige is the best dressed little girl in the world! And she's not even old enough to appreciate that! Lucky!!!

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  40. i just made a scarf on sat., but yours is so much cuter. i haven't posted mine, but i just used thrifted men's button-ups!

    i'll post it in the next few days! i love your stuff you do!

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  41. Oh my gosh I love your scarf!! I want one for myself!! :)

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  42. I just tried it out and it was super simple! Thanks Disney!

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  43. This is gorgeous! I'll be making one this week and linking as well. Thanks so much!

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  44. This is absolutely adorable! I love all of the re-fashions! =)

    Anne

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  45. oh my goodness! That's totally cute! I haven't been brave enough to use my elastic thread, this just might do it!

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  46. I was wondering as well if you use elastic thread on the top too? and do you back stitch? This is so cute!

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  47. mmmm... this is yummy. so cute.

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  48. Super cute! And you're right, sew easy! I would love to try one.

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  49. Just found you from one pretty thing, I'm so glad I came by! What fabulous ideas you have! I'm following!
    cheers,
    Mandy
    www.gourmetmomonthego.com

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  50. What a fun idea! Do you use elastic thread in the top of the machine, too? Or just regular thread?

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  51. This is a Fabulous idea!!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing!!!
    =)

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  52. hi disney...love this but i wanted to add you some may have to adjust the tension of their bobbin for the elastic thread depending on your machine for it to achieve the right look..just a helpful tip...

    great tutorial and i can't wait to make some for my little one :)

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  53. SO CUTE!! I need one in my size (and a few for the girls as well of course). Great idea!

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  54. I am in love with your blog! You are one amazing and creative woman!! I linked to this post w/ credit to you, I hope that's ok.
    -Mandy
    www.gourmetmomonthego.com

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  55. Love this! I'll be linking Saturday!

    Joane @ Ready, Set, Craft!
    http://www.readysetcraft.blogspot.com

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  56. I love how you have modified you daughter's clothing. So cute! I have huge box that I as either going to take to Goodwill or Consignment, but I think I might take another look at them. Only thing is I have to boys so....hopefully I can modify to still wearable for them! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  57. Disney, I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and I am in LOVE! You are too cute! I made your scarf the other day and I hope it is ok that I posted a link to you tutitorial on your page? Thanks for being so fun! Tana

    http://thebestisyetobe.blogspot.com/2010/02/due-to-ruffles-and-stuff.html

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  58. such an easy way to sew a very pretty scarf! i really love it.
    i just have to check, if there are some shirts i won't wear anymore...

    i set a link. i hope you'll agree.

    thanks for the tutorial.

    doro.

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  59. Great idea! I like your scarf!Really beautiful!Thank you for sharing!

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  60. that is such a great idea! thank you!

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  61. This is such a fantastic idea! I think I'm going to make it during my lunch break today. I've been needing some new accessories! Thanks!

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  62. This is such a great idea- what a wonderful result!! Guaranteed softness...how lovely it looks!

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  63. I love this scarf. If you don't hem the ends of the fabric, do they unravel?

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  64. Amelie Jo: If you make it out of knit (like the tshirts I used) then it won't unravel. If you're using cotton than you will need to hem it. :O)

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  65. Do you use elastic thread for the top thread too? I've never done this before...

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  66. I love this scarf idea! I definitely have to make one for each of my girls!

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  67. I was about to get rid of some T-shirts when I read this post and transformed them into matching scarves for my daughter and me. I didn't have elastic thread so I use the ruffle method. The only problem was that the bottom thread kept breaking. To solve the problem, I basted short sections, back stitched at the end of the section, and ruffled that and that worked awesome. Thanks for another great project!

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  68. It didn't work for me!!! I am so frustrated! I took all the time to cut out the fabric. Tried it several different ways, but I did not accomplish the ruffle.
    What did I do wrong?

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  69. Jaime, I'm sorry you're not having luck with it! It's tough to know what went wrong without much info, but I do know that some machines deal differently than others with shirring. Here's a post with some more info on shirring, maybe it will help?
    http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2010/02/shirring-tutorial.html

    Good luck! Feel free to shoot me an email if you need extra help. :O)

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  70. hi my name is ... I'm 12 and i love these amazing, quick ideas. I am also trying the scarf with different materials like silk and chiffon. i love sewing and have tried to experiment too. I have made really funky skirts
    and oversized lace tees, I also have fun selling these purses I make (for fun, they aren't that great). Anyway, I look forward to more posts.

    12

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  71. Will this scrunch up on it's own? The other tuts similar have you ironing or throwing it in the dryer.

    Looks great!

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  72. tried the 8 inch back piece and it was a bit too wide, i thought. (actually, i had it at 7.5 and still..) also ruffled so much that it became really short, had to unruffle quite a bit. luckily i used "second-string" fabrics!

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  73. Eek! It didn't work for me either. :( So sad b/c it's so cute. I have a brand new machine, but will some machines just not do shirring?

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  74. Feeling stupid today. Do you also use the stretchy thread as the top thread? Seems like a given, but I'm not clear. I really like this idea. It's yet another DUH moment that I am so glad someone showed me!!

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  75. Sparkling: Just use the elastic thread in the bobbin, you'll want your regular thread up top! :o) So glad you like the idea!

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  76. That's it. I MUST get my daughter a black vest for the fall. The scarf is AWESOME.

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  77. omg I LOVE this! I have never used a sewing machine before but I really want to get one and learn because I see so many things I want to try to make! This looks simple enough to use for an easy first time project.

    My Adventures in Mommyland

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  78. I did not have access to elastic thread and just did a regular ruffle, it looks great, only problem how do I keep it from unruffeling?

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  79. Beautiful!! I have visit your blog for the first time and i love it, so many beautiful things and great tips! Thanks for sharing all this!!

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  80. Love your blog and all your tee recon creativity. I am going to use this method to make some ruffles for my superhero tees and dresses. I bought a bunch of elastic thread a year ago and forgot to use it.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Laurie Folino
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/GabbyandZack

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  81. Super cute scarf! I love the layered fabrics.

    Thanks for the tutorial!

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  82. Well shoot... bookmarking this for *next* Christmas ;) Looks absolutely fantastic - I came upon your blog because of your shirring tutorial - THANK YOU!!!

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  83. Hi, Disney, I just love this scarf! The way you layered the fabric is such a wonderful idea! I've included this post in a roundup of upcycled Mother's Day gift ideas on my website today (even though I suppose that this version is actually for girls, but I can definitely imagine making a longer version). Thanks for sharing it! :) Lisa

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