Scarf: Rolled Hem Foot

This month's sewing challenge is kicking my butt!  The rolled hem foot I chose to work with is a tricky little thing that I can't seem to get a handle on.  Plus, my photography skills...well please accept my usual apologies.  I think I'm loosing my blogging mojo!  Not that I had much to brag about in the first place!

Anyway, March's sewing challenge is to try a new sewing machine foot.  I choose the rolled hem foot.  I took it out once many years ago and it was a disaster.  So I decided to do a bit more research and really try to master the foot.  I started out practicing on a thin cotton print.  You may recognize it, I used it to make my maxi dress. 

After stitching about 5 inches, I was really getting the hang on it.

I stitched the length of the scrap of fabric and proclaimed myself a master!

What went wrong so many years ago when I first used this lovely foot?

So, enter the scarf fabric.  I bought this Red Tag (clearance sale) fabric at JoAnn's a couple weeks ago with making a scarf in mind.  At $3 a yard and me only buying 18 inches, it was a bargain!

The fabric itself is red and green paisley on a navy blue background with thin stripes of gold metallic thread.  You can see it draped over my sewing machine below and notice how sheer it is.

Once I squared up the fabric (not an easy task with this thin fabric) I pressed a 3/8 inch hem along the edges.  Then, using my trusty rolled hem foot, I started stitching.  The results were less than stellar.  Only about 20% of the hem was a perfect double fold.  The rest was only a single fold.  Maybe you can see in the photo below how the second fold didn't catch.

I considered trimming off the offending hem and trying again, but in the end just decided to live with it.  I got out my lighter and singed the fraying edges that didn't get folded into the hem.  I don't know how it will hold up in the long run, but for now I'm not too worried about the hem coming undone and the fabric unraveling all over the place.  Here's a look at the length of the scarf.  You can also see how I rounded the corner on the end:

I had both my kids take a crack at photographing me wearing the scarf.  While I'm sure they did their best, the results were pretty blurry.  Here's the well-edited best of the bunch:

In conclusion, I believe that my rolled hem foot has limitations when it comes to fine, sheer fabrics.  I have some thin jersey that would make a great scarf as well....but I'm not sure if I'll try to hem it or just leave the raw edges.  Hmmmm, decision, decisions!

What is your experience with rolled hem feet?  Any tips on working with sheer fabrics?  

Visit March's sewing challenge homepage here:

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.  

Winners: Ring Your Neck Scarf Challenge!

And the winners are......

November was a busy month for everyone, but that didn't stop 19 people from signing up for my challenge and giving it go.  Sending big hugs and thank yous to everyone who signed up!  You all make these challenges fun and engaging, and I just love you for it!

I challenged you to make a scarf and trying something new in the process.  15 lovely participants were able to meet the challenge!  Congratulations to the 15 who met the challenge!  We ended up with 15 unique and wonderful scarves to enter into the voting portion of the challenge.  

Without further ado, the results are:

In first place, receiving the most votes, is Marisa from  Passion et Couture with her striking scarf made with a technique using water soluble stabilizer.  

Congrats Marisa!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

Here's a shiny new badge for your blog:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Marisa!"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3X7XBiGqQ_jk1I2chMxxkoeaGTc6Ues9GY6XmG4xMlQNubAzIxT3opLqlfLOr4NsKz4TiI66qCkkpxUx2QTfr3oXzmI1uMjYhdzGxvpcE5vC5bQIp-X83-43Hfr1hk1mQVJhz7Un7Dw/s1600/agold.jpg" alt="Congrats Marisa!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

In second place, we have a tie!  

Linda from Desert Designs with her chenille scarf and Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches receive second place honors!

Congrats Linda!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

You might not have a blog to show it off, but here's your shiny badge all the same:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Linda!"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUIfGV6sDDnfiwkRF7parW5_xWRo93HRg6wJL3xPS55_1elH3qb4GD8CY-3HT6W6rWvkooi-UXMU7_vT8NQ1ya5fJ0c7CPftCrOCG2St5A_IHtQIQ3RUMk4CRVDyxBUZcuHHitNOkSTg/s1600/asilver.jpg" alt="Congrats Linda!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Congrats Fiona!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

If you wish, you may display this shiny new badge on your blog:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Fiona!"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUIfGV6sDDnfiwkRF7parW5_xWRo93HRg6wJL3xPS55_1elH3qb4GD8CY-3HT6W6rWvkooi-UXMU7_vT8NQ1ya5fJ0c7CPftCrOCG2St5A_IHtQIQ3RUMk4CRVDyxBUZcuHHitNOkSTg/s1600/asilver.jpg" alt="Congrats Fiona!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

In third place we have Signe from Skaberlyst with her collage-style scarf!

Congrats Signe!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

Here's a shiny new badge just for you:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Signe!"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4UPKF5c2WaSAsxdD18XhiZ1vvBFw2HH81Dq9USQEdS3a0Nv-WOvoDlQ8zYoXK1p5KXX9sJRTg2BnZWGgrh89E0Qz6w2w9BHadr4v5RrtiDdxZIyJT2n1Nr7QB5FonEapMqEBg3S0JDM/s1600/abronze.jpg" alt="Congrats Signe!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Challenging ourselves to learn new skills and to meet our commitments are noble and admirable qualities.  I applaud all the participants for all their hard work and dedication during a super busy time of year.  Everyone was stretched thin, that I was getting pretty worried near the end of November.  But with 15 finished projects, we have so many reasons to be proud!  Congrats and thank you again!

Happy crafting and big hugs from frosty Montana,

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.  

Scrappy Chenille Scarf

One of the participants from my scarf-making challenge made a chenille scarf that I really liked.  Her name is Linda and she wrote a great tutorial for her scarf that you can find HERE.  

Linda's scarf is made up of 7 layers of fabric.  The center layer of fabric is never cut and serves as a background color (black, in Linda's case)  for both sides of the scarf.  After I got 6 pieces of fabric cut, I thought my scarf was already looking very thick.  It's hard to tie and twist a really thick scarf, so I figured out a slightly different method to cut the scarf using only 6 layers of fabric.  

This is a diagram of a cross section of my scarf.
The center layers are grey flannel.
The white vertical lines show the stitching which goes through all 6 layers of fabric.
The black vertical lines show where I cut through 2 and sometimes 3 layers of fabric.
This is how I got away with using an even number of fabric layers.

The center layers were grey flannel.  The outer most layers were a blue/violet tie-dye pattern.
The top photo shows the royal purple I used under the tie-dye on one side.
The bottom photo shows the bright blue I used on the other side.
The sides are different, but the difference is very subtle.
Next time I try this I'm going to make the 2 sides much more different.

As you might be able to guess, I spent almost as much time taking photos of the scarf as I did making it!  I'm trying really hard to learn the manual settings on my camera.  I took a few photography courses in college, but those were years ago and we used real film.  I remember just knowing which adjustments to make to change the focal length and shutterspeed to use to get the photo I wanted.  Now it's a lot of hit and miss, referring back to my manual a million times, and head-scratching.  My biggest trouble now is with focusing.  Maybe my up-close vision is deteriorating as I approach 40.....?  I can't see well enough through my little camera view finder to know if my image is sharp or not.     

Linda said she made her scarf in 2.5 hours.  It took me more like 4 hours.  But I was dealing with very odd-shaped pieces of fabric and had some trouble finding the bias.  The grey flannel is from a set of sheets I bought at the thrift store.  That was a rather large piece of material to deal with.  The other fabrics were in small enough pieces that I had to piece it together to make them long enough.  

Overall I am very pleased with this scarf.  I love the softness and warmth provided by both the chenille effect and the flannel.  I spent no money making the scarf either.  I love to be able to finish a project without having to run to the store to buy supplies.  I chose not to make the tassels on the ends, opting for a simpler look.  But I love the way Linda's tassels look like twisty little caterpillars.....I may slice in some tassels down the road!

I'm curious to hear your comments on this post.  What do you think of this technique?  Would you ever try it?  Any tips on switching your camera over to manual settings would be greatly appreciated as well!

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.  

Vote: "Ring Your Neck" Scarf Challenge

2 1/2 Hour Chenille Scarf Tutorial by Linda Richards

"Ring Your Neck" Scarf Making Challenge participant, Linda Richards doesn't have a blog so I am hosting her entry into the challenge.  She created this gorgeous chenille scarf and has graciously included a free tutorial.  Linda has an online store called Desert Designs featuring her beautiful smocked items.  Please check out her site HERE.

Button hole pull-thru scarf

Pull-thru Scarf

Hello my lovely readers!

My current sewing challenge is the "Ring Your Neck" Scarf-Making Challenge.  You can sign up now if you think you can make a scarf by the end of November.  Anyone can join in!  If you look at my right sidebar, you'll see the list of all the challenge participants that have blogs or websites.  I encourage you to visit them and see what their recent projects.

DIY Scarf Upcycle

Scarves with patchwork and quilting

Here's a great roundup of creative and beautiful scarves. 

I love the idea of wrapping one of these around my neck! 

The "Versatile and Vervy Half-Moon Quilted Scarf"
by Michele Made Me has so many beuatiful details
of quilting, patchwork and embroidery.
[source and tutorial]

The quilting on this fleece scarf by lmkquilts' etsy shop
is just fabulous!  What a classy detail to add to a plain
fleece scarf!
[source]

Now here's a yarn scarf with no knitting or crocheting!  The yarn was
gathered and stitched through back and forth a bunch of times.
I found thiscreative gem at katy did's blog.
[source]

Another scarf I found on etsy at kyebags' shop.
I love the whole thing from the fabrics to the
simple quilting.  But sadly, my husband said he
wouldn't wear it. :(  I'll have to come up with a
feminine version for myself!
[source]

Look! A rag quilt scarf!  Brilliant!
I found this at Jubilee Homespun along with a
ton of more project ideas.
[source and tutorial]

Do you have leftover minky fabric from all those baby blankets
you've been making?  Well here's a good way to use them up!
Megan from The Homes I Have Made
crafted this scarf from a sew4home.com pattern.
Love the pom-pom trim too!
[source]

Emily from Today's Mama posted this fab
tutorial on how to create this fun scarf.
I want one!
[source and tutorial]

Cathe form Just Something I Made gives a great tutorial
on making these upcycled t-shirt scarves.  I think I know
some kids who might like one of these....
[source and tutorial]

There are a ton more patchwork scarves that I could share, but you'll find most of them on the "Ring Your Neck" Pinterest board HERE.  I love quilting, but I'm not so fond of all the time it takes to finish a big ol' quilt.  These scarves are perfect ways to use up scraps and finish a project in an afternoon.

I hope you are inspired to make a scarf for the Ring Your Neck Scarf Making Challenge!

Visit the homepage HERE for more info.

OK, now which one is your favorite?

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,