Dinner Scarf (Adult Bib)

A box was delivered. You grab a scissors and cut through the tape, open the box and pull out the stuffing and enjoy your new toy. Don't overlook the extra "gifts" you received. As a child, I was reminded frequently, "Waste not, want not." That waded up paper stuffing is a big example (we'll talk about boxes in a future post).


It's worth a few minutes to quickly flatten out the waded up brown paper and roll it into a haphazard bolt. If you don't have room to store that, consider folding it in as large a piece as possible. This brown paper is great for kids' crafts like painting, drawing, putting on the table to protect from clay projects and, my favorite, it's great for making patterns.

Although I cannot design patterns like my seamstress grandmother, simple projects are fairly easy. In this case, I found my starting point on Pinterest. The photo gave me a basis for the measurements and I experimented from there.

The pattern is half a scarf, assuming you can cut the fabric on a fold. I did that, cutting the fabric on the fold at the neckline. Makes it easy to sew the scarf but it's a waste of fabric to do them all that way. The next scarf, I will rotate the pattern 180 degrees on the fabric and add 1/4 inch at the neckline to allow for a small seam. I don't think it will affect the comfort of the scarf.

Materials
  1.5 yards of cotton, quilt-type fabric (44" wide)
  Thread to match
  Small (1/2") velcro closure (optional)

Create A Pattern
If you want to create your pattern, here are some key points:

• Top of the scarf = 4 inches across
• 2 inches from the top = 4.25 inches across
• 10 inches from the top = 8.5 inches across
• 15 inches from the top = 10.75 inches across
• 20 inches from the top = 12.5 inches across
• 25 inches from the top = 14.25 inches across
• 28 inches from the top (or bottom of the scarf) = 14.5 inches across

Use the picture as a guide to the curve/outline of the scarf. When you think you have a good pattern, hold it up to you as you look in a mirror. Does it look ok? Any areas that need to be trimmed or curves that needs to be smoothed?

The next scarf I will add an inch at the top (neck) and two inches at the bottom of the scarf. I think it could be a little longer.

Directions
Cut your fabric out. Cut two pieces. You can make them from the same material or complimentary materials. This scarf can be reversible.

• With right sides together, make up the two fabric pieces and pin carefully the whole scarf. 

• On one end, make chalk (or use another type of marking pen) to show your stop/start marks. You must allow about three inches to be left open to turn the scarf right-side-out after sewing the seam.

• Seam a 3/8" seam around the perimeter of the scarf (remember to leave the opening)

• Turn the scarf right-side-out and square the corners using a crochet hook or corner tool

• Press the scarf to flatten the scarf and get the edges smoothed

• Close the opening at the end of the scarf. I did this by hand-stitching it closed. The inspiration picture shows the perimeter of the scarf was top-stitched. Either method works.

This was a quick project. I can make one of these dinner scarves in under an hour, closer to 30 minutes. Cost is minimal when watching for sales. 1.5 yards of fabric yields two scarves so around $4-5 per scarf.

This is a light-weight scarf but absorbent because of four layers of cotton fabric due to the overlap. If more absorbency is needed, a layer of flannel could be added between the cotton layers. If that happens, I would be tempted to add a line or two of "decorative" stitching the length of the scarf to help keep the layers together. You could also do a simple quilting pattern.