DIY Wired Scarves

I think it’s pretty obvious that the majority of the crafty things I try are because I am too cheap to buy something if I think I can make it myself. I mean, that’s how I ended up making thirty superhero capes for Annie’s party (they ended up costing me only $1.50/each, let’s not talk about the time investment). This week I was inspired by a wired scarf I bought a few months ago. I love all the different ways I can wear it (hair, wrist, neck), but I did not love the idea of buying additional scarves for $20+. They seemed like they’d be so easy to make – just material and wire – and after giving it a shot I discovered they were! They are easy to hand or machine sew, and cost way less than twenty bucks. 

You need:

Your choice of fabric (make it fun!)
scissors or rotary cutter
18-gauge or 20-gauge wire
wire cutters
florist tape (optional)
needle & matching thread
measuring tape

Pick your fabric, then cut a 33-inch by 5-inch piece. I am obsessed with this stars and studs fabric.

Fold your fabric in half so the pattern is on the inside, then pin it in place.

Cut an angle off both ends of your fabric. Make the longer side the folded side, and the shorter side the rough edges.

Hand or machine-sew your scarf. Use a 1/8″ seam allowance and sew along one of the short ends, the rough edge, and the folded side. Yes, even the folded side. Here’s a fancy diagram I drew for you:

It’s so sad how long it took me to make diagram. Like, longer than it took me to sew one of these scarves.

Once you’ve sewn the three sides of your scarf, pull the scarf through the open end so the pattern is now on the outside. Then, take your wire and bend one of the ends to look like the picture above. This bend should be enough, but you can always wrap it with florist tape if you’d like to make it extra-secure. Don’t cut it yet – that step is coming up. As for which gauge of wire, I find the 18-gauge works best, but the 20-gauge is a bit more comfortable. Play around and see which you prefer.

Thread your wire into the channel you created on the long side of your scarf. Make sure the wire runs the entire length of your scarf.

Cut the end of the wire with a bit sticking out of the end of the scarf, then bend the end just like you did two steps ago.

Tuck the ends in, then sew closed the open end.

Annie and I adore these scarves and have a lot of fun finding different ways to wear them.

I twisted the ends, then tucked them under:

This is my go-to when I am hiding roots or dirty hair:

Annie likes to make “bunny ears” with them, too:

But she LOVES wearing them as wrist cuffs:

Have fun, and if you have any questions, let me know!