DIY pom pom scarf

I hear what you are thinking. “How can this be a DIY regular scarf to infinity scarf tutorial when we see an infinity scarf in the before picture?”. Well, I left the scarf in it’s original version for the before picture to offer an additional refashion option. Once the neck seam is removed the infinity scarf will have the shape of a regular scarf and will be suitable for this trendy DIY pom pom scarf. I also encounter a little problem and it gave me the opportunity to also feature how to hand sew a scarf.

Follow along to learn how to make this scarf makeover.

Scarf makeover perfect project for beginners

I purchased this infinity scarf to pair with my trench coat for the fall season. The color is a perfect match however the scarf is too long. Two loops around my neck left the scarf hanging low on my chest not covering my throat.

I could of simply cut the scarf open and wear it as a regular scarf. But I prefer infinity scarves because they remain around my neck and this prevents me from loosing them. (I secretly wish that I could still attach my gloves and mittens to a string).

The scarf is wide and I can make a double-layered scarf with all seams enclosed. Cutting the scarf in two panels will allow me to add some trendy mini pom pom trimmings for a dash of contrasting color.

If you are starting with an infinity scarf

Use safety pins to shorten the scarf and try it at different lengths before cutting the neck seam. Determinate the length that you need.

For myself  59” (150 cm) made a close-fitting scarf that easily wrapped twice around my neck nicely covering my throat.

Cut the scarf to the length that you need removing the neck seam (do not forget to add seam allowances). The scarf is now an opened rectangle.

How to make an infinity scarf from a regular scarf

To cut the scarf in two panels; fold the scarf in half lengthwise making sure that the top and the bottom fabric are aligned along the edges.

To help you cut a nice straight line I recommend that you iron the center fold and use the crease as a cutting guide.

The result is two long panels. We will add the trimmings to the scarf lengths and not the neck seam. Since this scarf will be looped twice, too many layers of pom poms will be too bulky at the back of the neck.

The next step is to pin the panels right sides together sandwiching the pom pom trims between the fabric layers. Machine stitch along the edges. You now have a very long tube.

How to hand sew the scarf

In my case, I realized that the trim woven edge was also mini, barely 1/4”(7 mm) wide. And the pom poms were thick and firm reducing the access to the woven edges. I could barely pin the trim between the fabric layers.

Hum …..This meant that I wouldn’t be able to machine stitch the scarf even using a zipper foot.

The solution was to hand sew the scarf seams with a backstitch. The backstitch is really similar to a machine sewn stitch, and it is quite strong. Mary Corbet from Needle’n Thread has a short video on how to sew a backstitch.

My hand sewing technique was to pinch all the layers together while pushing the pom poms away from the edges with my thumb. This allowed me to stitch very close to the pom poms ensuring that the trim woven edge would be hidden once the scarf would be turned inside out.

Once you have sewn both sides of the scarf, turn the scarf right side out. Pressed the scarf and used the tip of your iron to press seams flat. The scarf is now a long tube.

Here’s a close up to appreciate how the backstitches sewn close to the pom poms made for a nice finishing.

We now have to close the scarf by sewing both ends together. The ends will become the neck seam.

Joining the two ends of the scarf together is the most confusing part. I made the above pictogram to help you visualize how easy it is.

Start by pinning the two layers right sides together. Machine stitch around in a circle until your are left with a 2”(5 cm) hole.

If your sewing machine has a free arm take it off. It will be easier to sew in the round.

At this point it will look like this. Fold the raw edges inside to prepare the opening to be closed by hand.

Hand sew the hole closed with an invisible stitch and press the seam.

As you can see the trimmings don’t aligned perfectly at the joining. I didn’t want to fuss too much, this scarf is really forgiving and once the scarf is folded the joint won’t show.

Et voilà! This is how to make an infinity scarf from a regular scarf embellished with a pom pom trim.

Instead of pom poms you could use piping, lace or fringes. You could also use a different fabric for one of the scarf panel to make a contrasting two-color scarf. Your options are infinite.

I really enjoyed doing this DIY regular scarf to infinity scarf tutorial and hope that it will inspire you to convert your regular scarves into infinity scarves. Here are a few good reasons why you should do so (besides the obvious reason that silk and lightweight scarves are easy to lose because we don’t notice when they slip off our neck).

An infinity scarf stays neatly around your neck all day long. You don’t get strangled by your own scarf and you won’t walk around with your scarf hanging uneven or half off your neck…………sewing mends the soul  🙂

Below is the Pinterest format for you to pin

Thank you for passing by

Au revoir!