DIY Infinity Scarf with just a yard of fabric: Easy Tutorial
Learn how to sew an infinity scarf with my easy step by step tutorial. This is the perfect project if you are learning how to sew or need a last minute gift.
Let’s face it, sometimes moms forget to accessorize. Well, this DIY infinity scarf made with just a yard of soft cotton voile is an easy accessory that you can wear anywhere. Plus it has fine French seams and a neat 1/4” hem. Lovely!
Learn more about sewing easy French seams.
This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The blog post below is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The Optimized for Printing PDF download for $2 is totally optional.
So let’s get started!
You will need:
- 1 yard of 44” wide light-weight cotton or other easy to drape fabric (more about my fabric choice below)
- matching thread
- rotary cutter and mat
- optional – narrow-hem sewing machine foot
The fabric I used is soft organic cotton voile from Birch Fabrics (available at Fabricworm). Voile is like quilting cotton, but more lightweight and suitable for blouses, dresses, and scarves. It’s perfect for this project because the print looks almost the same on both sides, so when your scarf twists and turns, it looks gorgeous all the way around. Many of our favorite quilt fabric manufacturers are also making voile, including Birch Fabrics, Westminster, and Art Gallery Fabrics.
You could also use another lightweight fabric such as linen or rayon. This tutorial is based on 44” wide fabric. If your fabric is wider or narrower, you’ll have to make adjustments.
Cutting Instructions:
1. Cut the selvages from your yard of fabric (see photo above).
2. Then cut the fabric in half making two half-yard pieces (both pieces 18” tall and approximately 42” wide).
Sewing French Seams:
3. Pin the half-yard pieces wrong sides together along one short edge.
4. Stitch the seam with a 1/4” seam allowance. I used my 1/4” quilt piecing foot for this, but you could also follow the guides on your sewing machine.
5. Use a ruler and rotary blade or scissors to trim 1/8” away from the seam allowance.
6. Press the seam to one side, and then press right sides together with the seam along the edge.
7. Sew again with the fabric right side together and again a 1/4” seam allowance.
8. Now press your pretty French seam to one side. 🙂
9. Make two twists in your fabric, and place the remaining short ends wrong sides together. Sew another French seam, making a twisted circle of fabric.
Sewing a narrow 1/4” hem:
10. Sew a line of stitching all around one long side of the scarf, 1/4” from the edge. It doesn’t matter if you sew on the right or wrong side.
11. Press the raw edge to the wrong side along the line of stitching. That line of stitching you just made will make it easy to turn a nice straight hem.
12. Turn the folded edge over one more time and press.
13. Stitch close to the folded edge for a beautiful hem. Repeat on the other long edge and you’re done!
Optional hem technique – if you have a narrow rolled hem foot for your sewing machine, you could use it to sew a pretty hem too. See my tutorial on using a narrow rolled hem foot .
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Happy Sewing!
p.s. You might like these other DIY infinity scarf tutorials:
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
This is beautiful – but, I just want to be sure I am reading this right.. It is actually just sewn into a long circle strip with 2 twists – not a tube?
I can’t find the PDF on this tutorial. Normally I can find them. Please help me.
No problem. This is not today’s featured tutorial, so the PDF is not free. Here is a link to purchase the PDF: https://sewcanshe.com/product/infinity-scarf-optimized-for-printing/
Remember, you can always print the post for free by using CTRL+P on your computer.
Love it!
Shut up I love it!! Thank you for the super fast teach on French Seams. I can now put that in my tool box of sewing knowledge! Love it, Love your stuff
I am a bit confused about the twists as well. I am in the process of sewing this too and have included the two twists, but am having trouble getting the scarf to drape nicely twisted.
Twisting your scarf is totally optional. If it is not draping well, maybe your fabric is too stiff. I recommend using voile, which is a very lightweight cotton. Lightweight knit fabric would work well too.
Lovely sewing project. It’s so simple and the scarf looks great! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
I featured it on my blog today, you can see it here: https://www.sewingshop.net/blog/easy-to-make-infinity-scarf/
I have a singer machine from Walmart. They don’t carry a specialized feet – no walking foot, no narrow rolled hem foot or Teflon foot. I don’t know where to even look for them.
Do you have any suggestions?
Is it snap-on feet that you need? Most of them are interchangeable. I once ordered a walking foot for a Singer machine off of eBay. You’ll just need to know if your machine has a straight shank or a slant shank. That should be in your manual or ask a sewing friend for help. Good luck!
I.was able to get a whole set on wish the app great stuff
Hi Caroline! Thank you for linking this tutorial. I only found your blog in the last year. I really needed the French seem instructions. Happy sewing! Jackie