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How to Make a Summer Scarf Out of a Old Shirt

Recycle an old shirt into a new fashion accessory, by using the fabric from the shirt's back panel to make a summer scarf. The lightweight fabric from the shirt will be light enough to wear as a scarf without trapping too much heat. The scarf will also add a delicate, flowing effect to your outfit, or you can wear it as a hair accessory. You will need a light-duty sewing machine that makes a decorative finishing stitch for this project.

Things You'll Need

Iron
Yardstick
Fabric marking pen
Scissors
Sewing machine
Sewing trim such as lace or fringe (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Iron the shirt's back panel.
- 2
  Place the yardstick on the center of the back panel, running from the neckline to the hemline.
- 3
  Trace along the yardstick's straight edge, using the fabric marking pen.
- 4
  Mark out a parallel line on each side by measuring out six inches. Then, use the fabric marking pen to make small dots every five inches. Finally, place the yardstick's edge against the dots and connect the dots with the marking pen.
- 5
  Place the yardstick straight across one end and draw a line across the end. Repeat this on the other end.
- 6
  Cut out the two fabric strips, using the drawn lines as your guide.
- 7
  Put the right sides of the fabric together and sew across one end. The joined strips will start to resemble a scarf. Set the sewing machine to make a zigzag or over-edge stitch and finish the raw edges beside the seam.
- 8
  Place the scarf wrong-side up. Fold the outer edges over an eighth of an inch and use the iron to press the fold down. Make sure the center seam is flat with no bulky or twisted spots.
- 9
  Set the machine to make a decorative finishing stitch, such as the shell stitch, and sew all the way around the scarf's outer edge.
- 10
  If adding lace or fringe, position the trim along each end of the scarf so the folded edge and trim's edge overlap by one quarter of an inch. Also, leave a quarter inch of trim hanging off on each side. Fold the excess trim under. Set the sewing machine to make a straight stitch and sew the trim to the scarf.

Sewing