DIY Infinity Fringe Scarf

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So with the weather slowing starting to change, and my wardrobe transitioning from summer to fall....I have only one thing on my mind.  FRINGE.

I live a block away from a Zara store and saw the love of my life...okay not really....but I saw this black leather fringe skirt.  I suddenly had visions of me as Tina Turner dancing on the counter at Drumbar singing Proud Mary...but I digress. I did not buy the skirt, because alas, I am unemployed.  Unemployed people should not be buying fringe skirts....or going to Drumbar...but everyone has their vices.

Zara Black Fringe Skirt $179

Forever 21 $22.80

So naturally, when I was browsing the Impeccable Pig for some fall ideas, I started salivating when I saw the fringe infinity scarf, all $32 of it. 

Fringe Infinity Scarf available at theimeccablepig.com $32

Now, I am no newbie to fringe scarves, but this one called to me.  It was screaming "Kaitlin make me, make me Kaitlin".  Clearly I'm delusional from sitting in my apartment for days on end. Anyways, lucky for me I had just set aside a Forever 21 jersey maxi dress to be sacrificed to Goodwill.  Ideal for slicing and dicing. 

So, without further ado....let me show you the steps to make a Fringe infinity scarf for just pennies (or in my case free!)

As mentioned, I made my scarf from an old jersey maxi dress.  I bought this beauty of a dress for $13.99 at the beginning of the summer.  It was ideal for warm weather, and was the perfect length. Fast forward to the first washing....and it shrunk a FOOT. I guess you get what you pay for...which in my wardrobe's case...isn't much.

Anyways, any fabric can be used to make the scarf.  I used a dress, but of course you can use an old t shirt. Check out Lakeland Local and see a great tutorial on how to make the scarf from a tshirt versus a dress.  If going this route my recommendation would be to:

• Use a men's t shirt, or a very large sized T for the extra fabric
• Consider using two tshirts to make multiple layers, as a single t shirt is somewhat flimsy and doesn't layer well.

Step 1:  Cut material.  

Cut the dress into 3 sections.  I cut below the upper bodice, and then divided and cut the lower skirt portion into two sections.  I discarded the upper portion, and kept the two "rectangular tube" lower skirt portions.

Step 2:  Begin cutting the fringe portion.  Cut vertical strips on each skirt portion.  Keep each piece of fringe the same length, however how long you make each strip is up to you, as long as you keep them uniform.

I made my fringe relatively thick.  To thin the strips after cutting and assembling, you can pull on the strips which will thin and elongate them.  In retrospect, I would have make my strips longer.

Take both tubes after they have been "fringed" and put them on over your head.  Arrange them how you see fit (so it lays properly, is layered correctly, etc.) then tie the two pieces together where they would normally lay at the back of you neck with left over fabric.

then...that's it!  you're done!  Mine needs a little 'jujjing'...because I cut the strips too thick..but after a little tugging and pulling...I think it will be a grade A infinity scarf!

Jersey City

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Labor day is in a week, so what does that mean?  My favorite season is almost here!  I <3 Fall.  I love seeing the leaves change, and enjoying the fall breeze in Chicago.  I don't necessarily enjoy the fact that I know what season comes after fall....but let's keep on topic!  Fall!

Two essential reasons why I love fall:

1. I'm one season closer to being done with school (I finished OB/GYN on Friday- that means:  No more stinky warty vajay jays in the forseeable future!! I tell you- some of the things I saw should be on scared straight: abstinence edition.)
2.  I get to wear layers and layers of clothing without being questioned on why I'm not living at a homeless shelter.

Fall clothes are the best.  Jackets, sweaters, boots, you name it, I love it. Summer time is misery.  I  look like Casper the ghost, and people know it....but in the fall....in the fall I can cover up my pasty legs and chicken fat arms and people are none the wiser.

An essential accessory to any fall wardrobe:  The scarf.  I have a love affair with scarves; I own one in nearly every color.  They're versatile-  Use them on an airplane as a pillow.  Use them on the CTA as a breathing device.  Oh yeah, use them for warmth.
Last week I was google image searching and came across DeWanda's Braided Loopina Scarf.

It was love at first sight.  I wanted it NOW....but the page was in German.  I can barely speak Spanish, sometimes I even have trouble with English...German noway.  I did my best to translate, and found the fabric is a cotton jersey. The scarf retails for 35 euros, aka $50.  I often second guess myself spending $1 on a McDonalds cheeseburger, so $50 on a jersey scarf ain't gonna fly.

Time to get creative.

Step 1:  Gather Fabric.  I searched online for jersey fabrics; I was having a hard time finding cheap gray jersey material...and then it hit me!  A year ago I purchased a Gray jersey sheet set from Kohls for $12.  Super cheap, super comfy!  I HATE flat top sheets unless they are really nice material, so stored away in brand new condition was exactly what I needed!

2.  Cut material.  The size of the material strips is up to you.  I cut two 8"x60" strips and two 4"x60" strips  (The flat sheet measured 80"x60" so I cut the entire width of the flat sheet). 

•  From the 4 strips, I further cut those down to size.  Leave one 8" strip untouched, and one 4" strip untouched.  Cut the remaining two strips into thirds length wise (ex. one 8" strip turns into 3-  2.5"x60" strips)

3.  Braid the two sets of strips just cut

4.  Sew the ends of the braids together to make a loop. (so you will have two sets of looped braids)

5.  Sew the ends of the 8" jersey together.  Sew the ends of the 4" jersey together.

Note:  While I have dreams of being the next winner of Project Runway, my sewing skills are more along the lines of ... kindergartner.  Michael Kors would be disgusted and Heidi Klum would tell me I'm out.  Just do as I say...and not as I sew.

8" strip with ends sewn together

6.  Gather/bundle all 4 sets of strips/braids at the areas you sewed.  Cut a square piece of jersey wide and long enough to tie and cover the sewn areas.  You can either sew the square on...or be lazy like me and knot it on.

You can make it a little prettier by sewing the jersey on...but my time is precious!

7.  Voila!  $50 scarf meet Kaitlin's free remnant wannabe.

The great thing about this project is that you can customize!  Make as many braids in as many sizes and colors as you want!  If you go my route...a flat sheet will make about 3 scarves....perfect for gifts.....who wants one?