winter warmer cowl

Winter is definitely here in Portland! We came up with this fun winter scarf to keep you warm during the short cold days. Using two contrasting wool fabrics, one particularly soft, creates a warm blanket for your neck and shoulders. We used some leftover wool herringbone (in white) and a brushed twill (in pink).

The cinched part makes the cowl look like a fun, oversized bow. Because this is a tube there’s a slightly tricky part when sewing up the short ends. Be sure to read through the instructions carefully before and while sewing. Take your time and you’ll be sure to get it!

Items Needed:

37″ x 15 1/2″ main fabric
37″ x 15 1/2″ contrast fabric
10″ x 7 1/2″ main or contrast fabric
Thread
Pins
Rotary Cutter or Scissors

Cut out the fabric for the scarf body and the band.

Right sides facing, pin the long sides together, leaving the ends open.

Using a 5/8″ seam allowance, sew up the long sides of the scarf. Press the seam.

Finish your seams using your method of choice. Here we used an overlock stitch on the sewing machine. You can try a zigzag stitch, serging the edges or simply cutting the edges with pinking shears.

Turn to the right side. Press again.

Fold the scarf in half so that the ends are on top of each other. Pin the seams together through two layers, leaving the out the contrast fabric.

Pin along the contrast fabric.

About 3″ out from the contrast fabric, pin the main fabric. Do this at both ends.

The scarf should look like a seashell.

Start sewing at the first pin on the main fabric. Back tack. Continue sewing onto the contrast fabric and back onto the main fabric. If you are able to push the fabric through a little further, do so. Be careful not to stitch through more than two layers of fabric. Back tack when you finish the seam.

Now you still have a seashell, except it’s been sewn. See how the body of the scarf is coming out of that small opening? That’s exactly what you want.

Snip the threads. Begin to push the seam you just sewed into the scarf, pulling the main fabric around it.

There will be a hole a few inches long on the side of the main fabric.

Match seam allowances on the inside and pin in place. Hand sew across using a slip stitch.

The seam is closed all the way around the cowl now. If there’s any puckering, don’t worry because it will be concealed by the band.

Pin the sides of the band together, right sides facing each other.

Sew up the sides. Pull the fabric through to the right side. Press the seam into the middle of the band.

At one end of the band, push the fabric in about 5/8″, forming a crisp edge. Iron it flat.

Place the band beneath the scarf, centering it over the seam. Pinch the scarf as you pull the band around it.

Push the unfinished edge of the band into the finished end about 5/8″, so one is encasing the other. Pin in place.

Here you can either slip stitch both sides or stitch through all layers. Here we used the slip stitch on both sides. Slip stitching all around produces a clean finish. Tack the band to the scarf.

Feel free to experiment with the width and height of the cowl. We love the bold statement this large scarf makes, but you may want it a different size to suit you. Remember that if you decrease the width, allow enough room for it to go over your head. Be sure to post photos of your projects in the Colette Patterns flickr group, we love seeing your creations!