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The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”

Sew What's New Archive > CRAFTS > chenille scarves

From: dyna

Date: 11-08-2004, 01:09 PM (1 of 19)

I just bought some brushed cotton to make chenille scarves. I know of some people who have made them and was wondering how to make them. After reading some of the statements at this site I'm thinking I'll just cut all my pieces with the grain and then sew my lines at a 45 degree angle.

Anyone have any other ideas?

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: MaryW

Date: 11-09-2004, 11:32 AM (2 of 19)

Hi Dyna, I think Hogmami made those scarves for the stash challenge.
Yoo hoo Hogmami. Where are you. :wink:

MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New

User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542

From: Hogmami

Date: 11-09-2004, 06:29 PM (3 of 19)

I'm here. I answered this but for some reason it didn't take. What you are doing sounds right. Make samples with your colored fabric in different order, wash and dry and see which way you like it best. I made a rug. There is a real good book, "New Directions in Chenille by Nannette Holmberg" that is real good. She was on Simply Quilts today. Also get your self a chenille cutter. It will be easyer to cut with. Be careful not to cut the bottom fabric. Wash and dry at least 2 times. Or get an Omnistrip for cutting. Just yell if you need any more help.

Carolyn
Michigan

User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800

From: dyna

Date: 11-10-2004, 12:02 AM (4 of 19)

Thanks guys,

I think I know what I have to do. The only problem I'm having is that my fabric is only 42 inches wide. If I cut my strips on the bias and have my stitching running down the length of the scarf it will only be around 50 inches long when I'm finished. I just don't think that's long enough. My only other option is to cut my strips lengthwise (65 inches) and have the stitches running on the bias. I don't like the effect as much on this option though.

Is there some way I can sew a piece onto the length of the bias piece without having a "blooming" seam somewhere across the length of the scarf? Also, how many layers should I have if I want it to "bloom" on both sides?

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: Hogmami

Date: 11-11-2004, 09:27 AM (5 of 19)

I guess I would use a 1/4 inche seam. I don't know how to make it bloom on both sides. On one side you can use as many layers as you want. I used 4 and it looks good.

Carolyn
Michigan

User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800

From: dyna

Date: 11-11-2004, 09:53 PM (6 of 19)

Thanks Carolyn,

1/4 inch seams should do it. I've cut my material on the grain and am going to try three layers on each side. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Janice
B.C. Canada

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: Hogmami

Date: 11-11-2004, 11:09 PM (7 of 19)

Can't wait to hear how it turns out. Remember, one layer you don't cut.

Carolyn
Michigan

User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800

From: dyna

Date: 11-14-2004, 01:25 AM (8 of 19)

O.K.

Just blew it.

I was trying to have my scarf so it bloomed on both sides so I cut all my pieces the same size. Had one center piece (not to be cut) and three layers on either side. About five rows into my scarf I accidentally cut into the center piece. Not too far before I realized my blunder : :shock:

Now I'm just going to try to continue doing the whole thing to see how it works out but to do it again I would make the center piece a little larger than the other layers so I would know where to cut and once it was all slashed I could trim off the extra fabric before washing.

Live and learn... Any ideas on how I can "heal" my little cut??

Janice

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: dmoses

Date: 11-14-2004, 08:13 AM (9 of 19)

You could try a small strip of fabric(same as the center piece) and use wonder under to attach it to the cut section...I don't think it would be noticeable with all that 'chenille-ing' going on. :smile:

It may be difficult to attach it, though, especially if the spaces between the sewing lines are very narrow.

Actually, you could probably just handsew the cut edges together, using matching thread.

Take care,
Donna

User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964

From: Hogmami

Date: 11-14-2004, 09:55 AM (10 of 19)

I go with what Donna said. When I took the class the teacher said to put a patch on it if you cut the uncut layer.

Carolyn
Michigan

User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800

From: KayTee

Date: 11-14-2004, 12:04 PM (11 of 19)

When I've cut through the backing on a chenille jacket, I make a patch just larger than the cut. I spray-adhesive it in place, wrong side of project to right side of patch, Then on the front (the side where you sewed the lines and did the slashing), I just resew on top of the original sewing lines, through all the original layers plus the size of the patch. If you use the same kind of fabric as the original backing, the patch becomes nearly invisible when the lines are through it.

I found I "went through" the backing many more times when I was trying to do the slashing with the omni-strips and a rotary cutter than when I did the slashing using a scissors.

Hope this helps.

User: KayTee
Member since: 12-06-2002
Total posts: 98

From: dyna

Date: 11-14-2004, 07:48 PM (12 of 19)

Thanks for the ideas.

The wonder under idea sounds good but the area is definitely too small. I think I'll just try hand stitching it together.

Janice

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: dyna

Date: 12-23-2004, 11:36 PM (13 of 19)

I finished my scarves!! The first one I cut on the grain and then sewed and slashed on the bias. It worked very well. The second one I cut on the bias and then sewed and slashed on the grain. I like this one better but it did stretch a bit in the washing and is even longer than I expected.

I patched the first one by hand stitching the cuts and then reinforced it with a bit of wonder under. It has gone through the wash and you can't see where I patched it with all the chenille there.

My friend loaned me her electric scissors to slash the second scarf. Wow, I had the whole thing cut in about 10 minutes. The first one took me three days with scissors since my hands couldn't handle all that cutting for more than about 20 minutes at a time.

On the second scarf I left the center fabric 1/4 inch longer on the ends so I could easily see which layers needed to be cut. Worked like a charm.

Merry Christmas everyone, Janice

User: dyna
Member since: 11-08-2004
Total posts: 21

From: Clarkia

Date: 01-11-2005, 10:56 PM (14 of 19)

I made myself a chenille scarf before Christmas. The fabric was a plaid, and turned out really neat. While I was doing it I swore I would never do another one because of the extensive time involved but that is the scarf I wear every time I leave the house now. It is so comfy. I thought it would be too heavy and bulky but it stays in place so nice. I did accidentally slash it in a couple of small places while I was cutting the layers but it doesn't show. I didn't even try to mend it and my daughter, who taught me how to do it, didn't even notice. I will say she gave it the good once over, too, but I kept my mouth shut. No sign of the cuts fraying. I think it will last forever. I really should make one for her as she made one for herself and her daughter snaffled on to it!!!

She had taken a course. We laid the fabric out on a large cutting board (I have one that is 4 feet by eight feet) and cut it on the diagonal. I have a big ruler and I think it was around eight inches wide. Then we laid the pieces one on top of the other until we got five layers. Some of the pieces had to be sewn together but those 1/4 inch seams don't show. Then when you have five layers, all neatly stacked, you draw a line exactly down the center of the top piece with a nice clear chalk pencil and sew on that line. From then on it is just sew one presser foot width on each side of that line until you get to the edge. Use a pair of sharp scissors to start the cuts and be careful you don't cut the middle layer. My daughter has a slash cutter and it worked pretty good but it wasn't exactly trouble free. I did change the blade but maybe it was dull too. Well, I finally got it done, washed it in hot water several times, tossed it in the dryer and like I said, I was quite pleased with the results. The plaid flannel turned out to give such a neat design.

Kay

Kay

User: Clarkia
Member since: 05-05-2003
Total posts: 23

From: MariLynnTX

Date: 03-02-2005, 03:28 PM (15 of 19)

I posted directions for a needlelace scarf under Needlework, but since I don't have a picture of it and it is in Australia now, I don't reckon it matters! MariLynntx

Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.

User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001
Total posts: 256

From: Pat Bushnaq

Date: 02-27-2006, 12:30 PM (16 of 19)

WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. AM HAVING TROUBLE FIGURING OUT THE DIRECTIONS FOR THE CHENILLE SCARF. <email address removed for privacy>. THANKS PAT

User: Pat Bushnaq
Member since: 02-26-2006
Total posts: 1

From: MaryW

Date: 02-27-2006, 12:47 PM (17 of 19)

Hi Pat and welcome to Sew Whats New. Sorry, I don't knit but I am sure someone else will be along shortly to help you out.

MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New

User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542

From: Bama