We all have multiple scarves that we just have no intention of ever using. We get them as gifts or on sale and think we will layer them and layer them until they transform any outfit. Wrong! We never use them, and we just hang them to collect dust somewhere. I love the tutorials on all the ways you can transform your scarves into shirts or dresses, but the reality is if, for some reason, those fun contraptions ever become undone or untied, we would have major catastrophes on our hands. Possibly even lawsuits. And to be honest, I just don’t have enough money to pay for your children’s therapy if they were to see my scarf dress come undone in the middle of a restaurant. This doesn’t take a lot of time or effort, and in an hour, you could have an actual halter top to wear.

Supplies:
Scarf
Scissors
Needle and thread
Zipper
Measuring tape
Pins

Steps:

  1. Measure around your ribcage and waist. Use the bigger number for measuring. Then, lay out your scarf, measure your number and add 3 inches. Now, take your scissors and cut the material straight across.
  1. Depending on how stretchy the scarf is, you may need a zipper. If the material has enough stretch, you can just skip this step. If there is no stretch to the material, you want to add a zipper kit to it. Fold each end in about ¼ inch, open the zipper, line it up along the edges, and pin into place, making sure the zipper is underneath the fabric. Now, you can either hand sew it, run it through a machine or beg your mom to help you. It really is easy, though. A simple seam is good enough. Do both sides; you should have some top zipper slack left. Cut and leave ¼ inch. Fold each side under and stitch. This is the bodice to your scarf halter top.
  1. Now, you want to put the top on inside out and take the rest of the material and pin where you need your chest straps to go. You can either have an infinity halter or a two-strap halter. Either one looks great; it’s just personal preference. Now, pin your material inside out, as well as at the top of your halter bodice. Take it off and sew. It looks best if you pleat it a little as you pin. It does not have to be perfect.

Now try it on, pack your bags, head to the beach in your new couture shirt and lounge out with a cocktail in hand. It really is super easy. And a no-fail project. But if for some reason you do fail, make it into a basic headband and call it a win. Either way, you finally used that scarf!

By Jamie Burke