I am a HUGE fan of scarves; I wear them all seasons, in air-conditioned buildings in the summer and out of necessity in the winter. Infinity scarves and circle scarves are my favorites. Traditional rectangular scarves shift too much and I end up feeling like I am being strangled, infinity scarves keep me warm and comfortable. They also make wonderful holiday gifts that are quick to sew up.
I like my scarves big and substantial, so my scarf pattern uses 18” instead of the traditional 9”. Yes, it requires a bit more fabric, but trust me it is worth it.
Without any further ado, may I present my long awaited Infinity (or Circle) Scarf Tutorial!
Infinity (or Circle) Scarf
by Elizabeth Timmons, andpins.com
Fabric Requirements
1 yard main fabric and 1 yard coordinating fabric
I have used cotton lawn, voile, quilting cotton, and knit. I mix and match the fabrics for the main and coordinating fabrics. Voile and knit makes for a wonderful combination.
Prewash and iron your fabric! If you use knit (or end up with a bad cut), it may shrink so that you cannot get two 18” WOF pieces, in that case, measure and cut the fabric in half. Mimic that measurement with your second fabric.
Read through the instructions in their entirety before you begin cutting.The hardest decision you will make is what fabric to pair together to make your first scarf. For this tutorial I used Cloud 9 Palos Verdes voile paired with Pure Elements quilting cotton in Icy Mint.
Cut Cutting instructions are based on 44” wide fabric, if your fabric is wider or shorter, cut your fabrics so that you have a total of 66” of raw fabric. (ex. The directions have one 44” and one 22” piece which equals 66” of raw fabric.)
1. Cut the selvedges off of both yards of fabric leaving you with two 44” pieces.
2. Cut each yard of fabric in half (18” each) along the width of the fabric (WOF). You will have two 18” x WOF pieces of each fabric.
3. Cut one of each fabric (main and coordinating) piece in half*, leaving you with two 18” x 22” pieces. Put one of each 18” x 22” piece in your stash. *Cutting instructions are based on 44” WOF, if your fabric is wider or shorter, cut your fabrics so that you have a total of 66” of raw fabric. (ex. The directions have one 44” and one 22” piece which equals 66” of raw fabric.)
Sew (use a 1/2” seam allowance throughout)
4. Using 1/2” seam allowances, piece together both main fabric pieces together to form an 18” x 65” rectangle.
5. Repeat step 4 with the coordinating fabric.
6. With right sides together, pin fabrics together along both long edges. On one of the long edges, mark a dot 4” from each edge (marked with arrows below). Sew from dot to dot, backstitching at each point. Sew the other side edge to edge.
7. Gently press the seams open.
8. Turn the scarf right side out.
At this point, you can determine if you want an infinity (with a twist) scarf or a circle scarf. I recommend following the folding directions below and carefully (watch for pins) trying it on both ways to see what look you prefer.
Sew Option #1: Infinity (with a twist) Scarf
9. Place scarf with the main fabric facing up on a long surface. The 4” open edges should be the top edge (marked with the Clover Clips in the photographs).
10. Fold up: take the raw edge of LEFT edge up at center at a 90-degree angle.
11. Fold under: bring the same raw edge UNDER the scarf, straight down so the raw edge points down.
12. Fold over: fold the same raw edge OVER so it matches the raw edge on the right hand side, 4” opening on the top. The main fabric will be resting against each other; coordinating fabric will be showing.
13. Pin edges of main fabric together starting at the edge where the seams line up, gently pin towards each edge. Stitch along the pinned seam. Make sure that you remove all of the pins as you go!
Sew Option #2: Circle Scarf
14. Place scarf with the main fabric facing up on a long surface. The 4” open edges should be the top edge.
15. Fold over: fold the left raw edge over to the right raw edge. The main fabric will be resting against each other; coordinating fabric will be showing.
16. Pin edges of main fabric together starting at the edge where the seams line up, gently pin towards each edge. Stitch along the pinned seam. Make sure that you remove all of the pins as you go!
Sew: Finishing
17. Gently press the seam open.
18. Double check that all of the pins have been removed.
19. Ladder stitch the 8” opening closed.
Enjoy wearing your new scarf!
I cannot wait to see what fabric combinations you come up with for your scarves. If you have any questions, leave me a comment or send me an email. I’m happy to help!
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