Introduction: How to Sew a Hooded Scarf or Scoodie!

About: Hi! I'm a slightly feral mountain hermit that likes to be helpful. I do community management at Instructables & Tinkercad. 🙌 Want to hear me chat about making? Search "CLAMP Podcast" on YouTube or your favorit…

Let it be known I have a small head. I envy people who can wear berets and crocheted hats. I need something to cover my small head during winter, and until now I've been wrapping wide scarves around it.

I recently saw hooded scarves popping up everywhere and I decided I needed one. I couldn't afford to spend large amounts of money, though, so I came up with this.

This hooded scarf should take you about an hour to make. It's super easy and I'm totally proud of it! :D

Step 1: What You'll Need:

  • 2 yards of flannel fabric - I chose a really obnoxiously cute pattern, I would recommend you do the same.
  • a yardstick or large measuring tool - quilters tools will come in really handy here!
  • scissors
  • water/air soluble pen for marking fabric
  • needle and thread or sewing machine
  • a hot iron
  • a hoodie for reference/pattern making

Step 2: How to Make the Pattern!

First, fold your fabric lengthwise in half, right sides together. Press it well on the highest setting (steaming would be good) so you get all the wrinkles out and develop a nice crisp line at the fold.

Take your favorite hoodie and turn it inside out and make the hood as flat as possible along the middle fold. Place the opening of the hood straight along the fold a couple of inches away from the edge.

You'll want to trace a half inch away from the hood all the way around it, until you hit shoulder area.

Now, you'll want to trace a couple inches down from the bottom hood seam, and begin taking your line horizontally back to the fold. Make sure to keep this straight!

Based on how thick you want the scarf to be, you'll draw the next vertical line. I drew my line eight inches away from the fold because I wanted a nice thick scarf. I made my scarf 36 inches long so that it had plenty of wrapping length. :D

The pictures explain this so much better.

Step 3: Cutting It Out!

First, cut out the pattern on the lines, making sure to keep both pieces of fabric together.

Then, open the fabric and lay it facing right side up. The middle fold we creased earlier will serve as your cutting line! Cut carefully down the middle. You now have two perfectly the same halves. :D

Step 4: Sew the Two Halves Together!

Place the two halves right sides together and pin around the edges.

Sew these two pieces together, keeping the edge of the fabric lined up with the right edge of the presser foot. Doing it this way will make sewing around the curves easier.

At this point you can also notch the seam allowances to keep the curve of the hood from bunching. :D

Step 5: Try It On!

Make any adjustments you need to. If it seems too long, trim the ends. If the hood feels too big, sew it again a little in from the original line. You can also change the thickness of the scarf if you don't like it.

I was pretty happy with mine at this point even though it looked goofy without any structure. :P

Step 6: Pressing and Hemming!

This is the longest part but it's over before you know it!

You'll want the scarf lying wrong side up, and you'll be folding all the edges over by a 1/2 inch and pressing them.

First of all, focus on the flat part at the bottom back. Cut a diagonal line in the corner no more than 3/4 inch in. This will help you press this part of it!

Then focus on the ends. Fold and press the sides first, and cut the very ends on a small diagonal. This will reduce the bulk in that area which will make sewing easier.

After the sides are folded and trimmed, fold up the bottoms.

When doing the front and lower back of the hood, make sure that the middle seam of the hood is pressed flat like the last picture!

Step 7: Sewing!

This is much quicker than the pressing part.

First off all, sew the very ends of the scarf. Make sure you're backstitching on both ends.

Then, with the wrong side facing up and the hood in your lap, start with the right side of the scarf and sew all the way around the outside, keeping the edge of the fabric to the edge of the presser foot, backstitching at both ends.

Now you'll do the inside. You'll grab the left side to do this. You'll need to to lift the presser foot and turn the fabric to properly sew the inside.

Do this by sewing down the the turn, and sewing until your needle is directly diagonal from both hems. Making sure the needle is in the fabric, raise the presser foot, and turn the fabric to the right. You'll then lower the presser foot, and keep sewing until you have to turn again. :D

Easy peasy!

Step 8: And You're Done!

Go brave the cold!

Stay Warm Contest

Participated in the
Stay Warm Contest