I made this scarf to store my gloves because they always fall out of my shallow coat pockets. This fun little monster has a pocket/pouch in its mouth that clasps shut and keeps your small belongings close by.

You can make the pocket from scratch like I did or use an existing coin purse/pouch if you'd like.

Serpent Scarf w/ Pocket Demo from Angela M. Sheehan on Vimeo.

Step 1: Materials

Materials:

* Fleece - I chose 3 colors, one for the mouth pocket, one for the body, and one for the belly.

* Felt (assorted colors) - for making eyes, legs, wings, and whatever cool features you'd like your serpent to have.

* Purse Frame - You can find lots of styles on Etsy or at a fabric store (though Joann Fabrics only sells them online I learned today). I got mine from a thrift store coin purse - you can use pliers to remove the fabric and leave just the hardware. Next time I make one of these I'll try a rounded frame, it is more of a 'serpent' shape.

* Thread (assorted colors if you want to match your felt/fleece).

Tools:

* Marker/Pencil - for drawing your pattern

* Pins

* Needle - for hand sewing finishing touches.

* Sewing Machine

* Scissors

* Flathead Screwdriver - to help push the fleece into the purse frame. You could also use the end of a small pair of scissors or a seam ripper.

* Pliers (optional) - you may need these to bend the purse frame to hold the fabric tighter.

Step 2: Make the 'mouth' Pocket

Place your purse frame on the fleece you chose for the mouth. Draw a pocket shape that flares out from the edge of the frame. Mark where your purse frame hinge meets the pocket shape.

Cut two, pin together and sew up to your purse frame markings (see 4th picture).

Step 3: Attach Purse Frame to Pocket

Using a screwdriver, push the fleece into the purse frame. Start from the edges and work your way to the center, one side at a time.

If you are having trouble getting the fleece in, try prying the frame open a little with your screwdriver. You can then bend it back with pliers to hold the fleece tightly in place.

If you are using a fabric other than fleece or have trouble keeping it in the frame, you can try gluing it.

Step 4: Cut and Pin Body Pieces

Place your finished pocket on the fleece you chose for the body (I started with the belly because it was a solid color). Trace the outline of the head of your serpent, making sure to leave enough room for the pocket to fit inside with seam allowances. I made a head with the nose sticking out further than the mouth to help cushion/hide the pocket.

Once you've designed the head, continue your line to make the body (I made my scarf about 45" long). Add a tail design if you'd like and cut out your piece. Use this cutout as a template and pin/cut your 3rd fleece color for the rest of the body (right sides together). Mark where your pocket will go on the head with a straight line - this will be the hinge of the 'jaw' and you won't be sewing past this point.

To line the nose, I cut two pieces of matching fleece and pinned on (see pics 8 & 9).

At this point if you want to add some legs/arms/wings, cut them out of felt and pin in between your two fleece layers.

Step 5: Sew the Serpent

Starting at the line you marked for the 'jaw', sew your seam down the length of the body and back around to the head.

Then sew along the edges of the pieces for the nose lining (see pics 2 & 3). These should end up like little pockets.

Trim extra fabric along the edges if desired, and turn inside out. You should end up with a nice serpent scarf shape.

Step 6: Insert the Mouth Pocket

Place your completed mouth pocket/pouch into the serpent's head. You can use your hand inside the pouch to push into place and align with the rest of the head.

Once you've got it lined up, double check that you can open the pouch easily, if not, adjust placement.

With a needle and thread, start sewing each side your serpent's jaw to the sides of the mouth pouch. Work from the hinge/edges toward the center/clasp, make sure to go through both the pouch and body fleece. Use a coordinating thread so it blends in with your fleece.

As you are sewing, make sure the fleece isn't too bulky to properly clasp the pouch. I left the center near the clasp un-sewn both to hide the hardware and so it wouldn't get in the way of closing the pouch. When you are done, test it out and stitch any weak points if needed.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Now that your serpent is all assembled, have fun making some eyes, ears, eyebrows, or other fun features out of felt. I made some wing-like eyebrows, big eyes, and fangs.

Sew them onto your serpent using a coordinating color, or get funky with some embroidery thread and applique techniques. I think my next one will have embroidery and contrast stitching.

And you're done! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed this Instructable. If you make any of these I'd love to see the results.