DIY Network

Scarf Sarongs Create cool cover-ups from scarves. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-128

Everyone has a few of them in the back of the closet: scarves that either went out of style, don't go with any outfits or just don't work with your style. Luckily, Michele Beschen has a way to make those scarves work again by transforming them into fetching cover-ups for the beach or poolside.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's tips on working with slipper, slinky scarves. Once you feel confident stitching them up, you'll start seeing dozens of ways to B. Original with old scarves.

Turn old scarves...

Into slinky sarongs and cover-ups.

advertisement

Scarf Sarongs

For a short sarong, Michele Beschen sews together three square scarves. For a longer cover-up, she sews together three larger scarves. You can add additional scarves if you want more coverage, or cut apart scarves and add the fabric where you like.

Part of the fun of this project lies in experimenting with different ways to tie and wrap them.
B. Original and find the styles that work best for your build.

Figure A

Scarf Sewing Tips

The slippery drape that makes these scarves such great cover-ups can also make them hard to work with. Here are Michele Beschen's tips on sewing them:

• Use pinking shears when you cut scarves to reduce raveling (figure A).

• Use a fine-gauge needle in the machine to prevent puckering.

• Use a zig-zag stitch and feed the fabric through the machine very slowly.

• Pull fabric taut while feeding it through the machine (figure B).

• Sew with tissue paper behind the fabric to keep it from slipping or getting caught in the sewing machine. Gently tear the paper away from the seam when completed (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C