Celebrate Anthro Knockoffs – How to make a Big Ruffle Scarf
September 25, 2011 by robiedodson
I have had this project logged in my brain for about 2 months now. I was “visiting” an Anthropologie store back in July during a huge sale. Of course, very few things were yet in my price range, but I really enjoyed browsing around. One of the things I saw on the sale rack was a huge scarf. It was on clearance for about $50 – and it was 110 degrees outside. Even if I had the bucks, there was no way I was walking out of there with a SCARF!
I didn’t take a picture, but I remember that all it was was one very long row of very lightweight fabric with ruffled sides.
Here is what I made as my version of what I remember. (Admittedly, mine is quite a bit bigger – but such is life in Texas!)
Confession 1: This is not your average scarf. Confession 2: This is NOT a scarf for wallflowers!
If you like this little ditty …. read on….here’s how I made it for $5!!!
Start with 2.5 yards of lightweight fabric. Since I live in TX, I chose cotton because wearing scarves is more like playing house here than it is for keeping warm!
Cut 2 identical strips the entire 2.5 yard length of the fabric. I think my strips aer about 5" wide .. but make them however wide or narrow that you want. It's YOUR scarf.
Then, cut 8 identical strips across the crossgrain. To determine length, figure out how long/big you want the ruffle. Double that measurement and add 1" - 1/2" seam allowance on both ends)
Now join those 8 strips into 2 long strips. Meaning, sew 4 strips together twice.
For each of these two long strips, fold wrong sides together and press.
Tuck in a small seam allowance at both ends of the two long strips. Press. Sew ends closed.
Sew a long gathering stitch at the bottom of the long strips. (meaning the side opposite the fold) Gather the ruffles, and pin along one side of the main strip. Be sure to start and end about 1" away from the edge as shown. (to make it easier to end up with a uniform ruffle, I marked the middle to both the main strip and the ruffle strip)
Sew the ruffle to the main strip with about a 1/2" seam allowance. Then, fold up the ruffle and pin the center.
Repeat ruffle, sew, roll steps on other side. You'll end up with this concoction!
Now you're ready to get this scarf rolling! Put your second main strip on top of the "concoction" right sides together.
Pin all the way down to hold the strips and the ruffles in place. Sew down each side using about a 5/8" seam.
Now, very carefully, begin turning right side out. Remember, there are a TON of pins inside that tube - if you pull too fast you'll either stick yourself or rip your fabric. I may or may not have done both!
Now press that little baby ... you're almost done .. you just need to do something with those two ends ...
So tuck them inside the tube..
Press and sew shut.
Press very well ... and you're done!
It's big - but I think it's awesome!
It's just sooooo soft and so confident! I'm seeing this with a beautiful gray cape for winter.
And this much wow factor at your neckline - don't even bother fixing your hair - pull it back and you're done!
So, yeah, like I said – this is not a scarf for the faint of heart. This scarf is powerful. It’s feminine. It is NOT discreet! =)
Of course, you can use the same tutorial and make it quite a bit smaller. But why!?!
Cost: $5~ I got the fabric on clearance at Hancocks for $2/yd. I used 2.5 yards.
Time: the only bad part about this project is that it is not a quick piece. Give yourself anywhere from 1 t0 2 hours. But I don’t think you’ll regret it! Invite some friends over and make them together!!!
Anthropologie’s version: about $50. sort of plain.
Handmade version: $5 – NOT PLAIN.
Take that!
love it! I am still new to sewing but think I can pull this off!
thanks for sharing another great tutorial!
Adorable, as always, Robie! I’m totally making this.
Wonderfully written! I’m sure I can handle this.
this is really cute! thank God I’m not of the faint of heart!
I am making this scarf because it’s so cute in the pictures. However, I am stuck at the point where you say to fold the wrong sides together on both long strips and iron….and then tuck in a small seam allowance. Now with these 2 long strips, how am I supposed to end up with 2 sections to ruffle and 2 sections for the middle part? You don’t say how many sections to cut from the 2 original long strips. Help!
Hi Aprille! I just got in from a very cold night out with the fam…let me get the littles all tucked in bed and thawed out, and I’ll review the tutorial to give you direction. I’m excited you’re making the scarf!!!
sorry to post this twice…but I wasnt’ sure if you’d get a notification of my other posting…so here it is again!
Okay Aprille … I think you may have missed the very first step where I say to cut 2 long strips 2.5 yards each down the grain of the fabric. These are the two strips that will house the long ruffled strips that are cut on the cross grain.
If you keep reading, you’ll see that you ruffle the crossgrain strips and pin them to 1 of grain strips. After you’ve pinned both ruffles, then you cover all layers with the second grain strip.
I’ve reread the tutorial and I don’t see any missing steps…so I’m thinking you just overlooked the first step .. do you agree or am I misunderstanding your question?
Let me know if I need to go back to the drawing board for you – I want you to have this scarf!!!
Okay Aprille … I think you may have missed the very first step where I say to cut 2 long strips 2.5 yards each down the grain of the fabric. These are the two strips that will house the long ruffled strips that are cut on the cross grain.
If you keep reading, you’ll see that you ruffle the crossgrain strips and pin them to 1 of grain strips. After you’ve pinned both ruffles, then you cover all layers with the second grain strip.
I’ve reread the tutorial and I don’t see any missing steps…so I’m thinking you just overlooked the first step .. do you agree or am I misunderstanding your question?
Let me know if I need to go back to the drawing board for you – I want you to have this scarf!!!
OK, I think I’m getting it now. Thanks for the clarification. I did misunderstand that first step. I’m just going to start over! I’m making this scarf for Christmas for a friend who’s hard to buy for. I still have time. lol
You could choose a coordinating fabric for the second 2.5 yard strip if you don’t have enough of the main fabric…that could save all your efforts if you like that idea. Just trying to save you some time (and effort and fabric!) But yes, you have time … send me a picture of what you come up with!
I am looking into making this scarf. Should I make 4 strips from the 2.5 yards? I’m trying to make this without having to drive another 1/2 hour back to the fabric store!
Hey Kerry! Yay, I’m so glad you’re making this! As for your question…the tutorial mentions to cut 8 strips…are you asking if you can cut 4 because you don’t have the full 2.5 yards? I’m just a bit confused by your question, but here’s the best I can answer. Feel free to write again if I misunderstand – I am prone to being a bimbo! =)
The reason you cut 8 strips is so that your scarf is nice and ruffley. The fewer strips you cut, the less fabric there will be to ruffle. So, you’ll need to cut enough strips to make sure they total atleast 1.5 longer than your main strip. (which will be 2.5 yards). Does that make sense?
If you’l like to, send me the amount of fabric you have and I can give you specific instructions on how to best go about cutting it! I’d be happy to do that! In fact, all this talking about this scarf is inspiring me to make another one!
Thanks. I bought 2.5 yards, cut it up the middle, then cut it up the middle of those again. I found fabric that looks like yours and I’m pretty excited to figure it out.. I was just hoping I wasn’t supposed to buy 5 yards.
i think ill make one of these, it looks really nice, i think ill give the pins a miss in step 9 and use big running stiches, can always be pulled out afterwards, thanks for tutorial.
I was thinking I’ll use a ruffler foot instead of doing that part by hand.
genius, kat!
I like this very much, Robie! Great job!
I’ll be making this for Christmas gifts and one for me, too. It really is simple, but your skill of applying the ‘finer points’ cause it to lay well and look professional.
Love it! Sheila from 610sewsheilasew.com
It’s beautiful!!! You could seriously make a ton of those and sell them!!!
Very pretty I will have to try one myself. Thank you for the idea!!!
I am so excited about making this scarf but when I was reading you said to watch out for the pins when turning – when do I take the pins out – did I miss that part. Love this scarf
Hi Ethel!!! You take the pins out AFTER you’ve turned the tube right side out. That’s why you have to be careful and watch out for the pins. Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out!
Think this is a brilliant idea have loads of clothe in my stash that I could use up & save my pocket this Christmas many thanks..Leigh U.K.
i love this.
I think I will make this as well! There is a special lady on my gift list this that I think would just love this!! Thanks for the tut!! 🙂
I made this for my daughter in law for Christmas and it came out beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it.
So exciting cathy! Thanks for sharing – send me a photo!!!
I loved that idea!!! thanks a lot for the great tutorial….greetings from Chile
I love this scarf!!!! You are truly talented!!
I have 3 hard-buy-for daughter-in-laws. Guess what one of their gifts this year will be! This should be fun.
Reblogged this on cnatson.
For some reason I can’t figure out what the measurements should be for the eight strips. Please help , I love the looks of this scarf.
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I’m embarrassed to say that I rarely leave comments on these tutorials. My standard excuse is that I’m too busy making my own or sewing.(or taking care of grandchildren). In this case though, I made an exception. I made some of these and couldn’t convince even friends who know I design clothing that I didn’t purchase them somewhere.