Learn how to make a fleece scarf. You'll be amazed just how easy it is! There is nothing cozier for Winter than a nice fleece scarf preferably in a fun, bright print. These fleece scarves can be made with a sewing or no-sew option so are great for all levels of crafters and sewers.
Table of Contents
How to Make a Fleece Scarf
Supplies
All you really need for this simple project is some fleece! Fleece is a polyester man-made fiber that is fluffy on both sides. It is lightweight but still warm and cozy. There are various weights of fleece and this scarf can be made light, medium, or even heavyweight. That makes shopping easy, doesn't it?
Further Reading: Sewing Fleece
How Much Fabric Do I Need?
Most fleece comes in widths of 60 inches (150cm) which is the perfect length for a scarf.
Work out how wide you want your scarf and that is all you need to buy. This makes a fleece scarf very economical as well. Most scarfs are 6 to 10 inches wide. I quite like 8-inch widths for my scarfs as it is wide enough to keep my neck warm without overwhelming me.
Really wide scarves can double up as a blanket so don't be afraid to make your scarf wider if you really want to stay warm.
Always buy a couple of inches more than you need as the cutting service in most fabric shops is pretty hurried. You don't want to get home and realize the edge has been cut at a strange angle and your scarf goes from thick to thin and you can't really fix it.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf - Cutting
Cut a rectangle 60" x 8 " or in your desired width. Your fabric is probably the correct size if you bought the width you want but double check those cut edges to make sure they are straight. Use a rotary cutter to square up the edges and make them look neat and clean. Because your scarf length won't fit on your regular sewing table, you may find it easier to neaten or cut on the floor. I love cutting fabric on floorboards as you have straight lines to follow.
You may also find that you need to trim off the selvages as they often have little holes in them that don't look attractive.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf at the Ends
Fleece does not fray so no edge finishing is needed unless you would like to add something decorative. Here are some ideas for the end of the scarf.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf with Rounded Ends
Rounded ends make your scarf look a little deluxe especially when you leave them plain.
- Grab a cup or tin from your kitchen, flip it over and draw around the edge.
- Use fabric chalk or a removable pen. Fleece can be harder to mark than other fabrics so if you must use something like the Sharpie I used, cut just inside that marked line and make sure it doesn't smudge.
- Cut carefully with sharp scissors. Once you have one corner you can fold it on top of the others to use as a template.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf with Fringing
Fringing ends are probably one of the easiest and most popular options for fleece scarves.
- Cut the corners square.
- Mark where you will like the fringing to end. You will probably find it difficult to use chalk or marking pens on fleece due to the pile, so use some basting threads or pins to mark the cutting line.
- Cut up vertically in strips up to the marked line. It is up to you how wide you want your fringing strips to be. Obviously thin strips will take longer to cut but are totally worth it! I made my strips around ¼ inch (6mm) as I found that easy to cut. You shouldn't need to mark the spacing of the strips. Even if they are a little uneven in places you will find that once you are finished, it all blends in together.
- Optionally you can knot the fringing to create some texture at the ends. Just take two adjacent strips of fringing and tie them in a double knot. When you are finished you may find that some pieces stick down a little more and can be trimmed to look more even.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf with Pom Pom/Ric Rac
The ends or even the sides of your fleece scarf can be decorated with pom pom trim or ric rac. This can be a great way to add a pop of color and flex your sewing skills.
- Ric-Rac - Place the ric-rac with the edge next to the raw edge of the scarf. Using a small stitch and using a matching thread color, stitch through the center of the ric-rac. I only used a contrast thread so you could see my stitching. It all blends and looks better when it matches. You may want to use a colored thread in the bobbin that matches the back of the scarf for a truly invisible finish.
- Pom-Poms - Pom-pom trim comes in every size and color and looks fun and colorful for winter items. Align the bottom of the braid with the edge of the scarf so the pom-poms fall off the edge. Using a medium zig-zag stitch, stitch through the center of the braid. Like my advice on the ric-rac, if you use a matching thread, this will blend in and be invisible. You can change the bobbin color to match the back of the scarf.
How to Make a Fleece Scarf - In Conclusion
Now you know how to make a fleece scarf you can make one for all your family and friends. They really are easy and are a great gift in winter. Add an embroidery letter for a really personal touch.
More Fleece Tutorials
If you have lots of fleece left, did you know that you can now make a matching blanket? Like your scarf, fleece blankets are warm and cozy and a must for any cold night.
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