Felted Wool Ruffle Scarf (Upcycled From Wool Pants)

This easy-to-make, warmy to wear wool scarf was made from a pair of wool pants!  

I am going to the thrift store tomorrow to look for a plaid pair of pants - wouldn't a plaid scarf be fun?

Step 1: Materials Needed

Wool pants
Scissors (not shown)
Washing machine, detergent,  and dryer (not shown)
Rotary cutter and mat (optional)
Sewing machine (not shown)
Thread
Bobbin
Elastic thread

Step 2: Felting and Deconstructing Pants

Deconstruct the pants - keeping the largest amount of fabric possible.  Use scissors to cut apart the major seams.  Remove and either discard, or save for another project, the lining, buttons, and zipper.  Wash the fabric  with detergent in hot water in your washing machine to "felt" the wool. Dry the fabric in the dryer on your low setting.  I place the item to be felted in a pillowcase and tie the pillowcase closed with a knot.  If the fabric comes out a bit wrinkled, iron on the wrong side with a press cloth; use steam and the wool setting.

Step 3: Cutting the Scarf

From one pant leg - I was able to cut two strips of material measuring 7" x 31 1/2".  

Step 4: Sewing the Scarf

Pin the two pieces together and zigzag.  Your two pieces have now become one rectangle scarf measuring 7" x 63".  The pants I purchased from the thrift store were size 16 - so buy the largest size possible to get the most material for your money.

Handwind the elastic thread to your bobbin.  Thread the upper thread of the sewing machine with regular thread - the bobbin thread will be threaded with the elastic thread.

On both the right and left sides of the scarf - I stitched a straight stitch down the length 1 3/4" from the edge.  Be sure - BE SURE  to backstitch at the beginning and end.  I looooove working with felted wool as it does not ravel and the edges do not need to be turned and stitched.

If you want, you could stitch three stitches down the length and the scarf will become more ruffled - which is a consideration if you make the scarf from a softer material other than wool.

I have made lots of these easy, fun scarves - mostly from material that doesn't ravel since I don't want to finish the edges nor do I have a serger.

Have fun making lots of scarves!

Thanks for your interest.