by Marie | Dec 9, 2011 | Clothes, Sewing | 48 comments
This is easy as pie and pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. Just don’t ask anyone over the age of 50. They won’t get it (I’m looking at you, parents).
I first saw a scarf like this on Pinterest, where it linked through to a site selling them for 35€. Hahaha. Yeah, right. I went to Value Village, picked up a really big men’s t-shirt (I mean it. Get a huge one.) and an old lace tablecloth, and set to work.
The original
Start by cutting the body off the t-shirt, making a straight cut across under the armpits. That will leave you with a loop of fabric hemmed on one side. Right there you’ve got an infinity scarf, but it’ll be rather lacking in fabric. This is where the tablecloth comes in.
Cut along one of the side seams to turn the loop into a strip. Measure the width of the strip and cut a strip of lace that is the same width as the loop and anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 as long as the original strip. That’ll depend on how much you like lace and how long you like your scarves, I suppose.
Pin the right sides of the ends of the t-shirt and the lace together, creating a loop again. Align the hemmed edge of the lace with the hemmed bottom of the t-shirt. Stitch the pieces together, using a zig-zag stitch or a serger.
Stitch the lace and t-shirt strips together
Fold the seam allowance under the t-shirt side and top stitch it down so it won’t be visible through the lace. Hem the raw lace/shirt edge.
Voila! Scarf. Now… mine is a bit lacking in fabric. The next one I make will have twice as much. It will be twice as wide and twice as long. I think I used an XL men’s shirt, so I’d recommend seeking out a 3XL+ or looping another shirt into the scarf, like another piece of lace.
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Anna Quarleson November 2, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Okay, I don’t see it. A section of t-shirt and a section of lacy, is it looped twice? The green one looks like it is looped around twice but the slate does not look the same. Almost looks like the lace was sewn to the t-shirt fabric down one side. Help I love the look!
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Marieon November 10, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Anna,
It’s one continuous loop of fabric; about 2/3 of it is t-shirt (green) and the last 1/3 is lace (grey). The strip of t-shirt and the strip of lace are sewn together along the two exposed ends to create a loop. So you have a long loop of fabric that you can generally loop around your neck twice. Because there’s more t-shirt than lace your obviously end up seeing more of it. Hope that helps!
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Meghanon November 9, 2012 at 4:56 pm
going to a hobby store where they sell block color (all one color) t-shirts would be a great place because they have a lot of large sizes for cheap.
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Marieon November 12, 2012 at 8:45 am
Great tip, Meghan! Thanks!
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Laurenon November 12, 2012 at 6:01 pm
As a 52 year old I have to say I do get it and its pretty cute. Us old folks aren’t all senile :). Plan on trying this.
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Marieon December 2, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Haha, of course not! Thanks for visiting, Lauren!
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Roseon December 3, 2012 at 9:57 am
52 is far from ‘old’! I have a friend who is 72 and dresses impeccably! Classic dresser with the latest trendy accents. Puts the younger generations to shame!
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Marieon December 3, 2012 at 9:58 am
My Grandma is, at 84, one of the most fashionable ladies I know 🙂 Perhaps it skips a generation in my family? Haha.
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Terrion November 21, 2012 at 11:33 pm
I have been making scarves lately with recycled t-shirts, and I like this concept with using the lace. And I am almost 51 years old and I get it and I wear them. So not for just young people, my 12 year old niece likes them too, she helps with color schemes and types.
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Marieon December 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm
I’ll be sure to let my parents know they’re behind on their fashion, then! Thanks for visiting, Terri 🙂
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Caitlinon November 29, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I’m 18 and I think it very cute. I personally can’t wait to try it! Thank you for posting a tutorial!
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Marieon December 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Thanks for visiting, Caitlin! I’d love to see what you come up with 🙂
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Candy Ronfeldton December 8, 2012 at 9:57 am
My mom is 72 years old and is in love with it and wants to make it. lol
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Rachelon December 12, 2012 at 1:00 am
I also pinned the scarf that takes you to buy the very expensive one and knew there must be a way with all the t-shirts I collect from our goodwill outlet center. I’m so excited to make this. Hopefully I’ll have a few done in time for Christmas! Thanks for sharing and let’s hope my 55 year old mother gets it as she will be one of the lucky recipients, lol.
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Marieon December 12, 2012 at 7:59 am
I’m sure she’ll love it! I’d love to see what you come up with 😉
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D.Baileyon December 13, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Not sure I get the over the age of fifty comment because I’m over fifty and I really like this. I’ve made lots of tshirt scarves, but this the cutest.
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Marieon December 24, 2012 at 10:58 am
D.Bailey—I’m just poking a bit of fun at my parents, both over 50, who made fun of this scarf when I made it!
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Emmaon December 16, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Loving this idea well done and thanks for posting the idea and tutorial! I’m o ino lace right now and I’ll def be trying out my own variation if this :))
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Marieon December 24, 2012 at 10:51 am
Thanks, Emma!
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Ann-Michelle Van Eepoelon January 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Since the edges of the stretch knit will want to curl up, I would suggest either doing a single fold hem on the top and bottom (where you cut the strip off the t-shirt), or serging the edge. Without a serger, you could also “overcast” with a simple zig zag stitch, letting the needle drop down just past the edge of the fabric on one side. I think I’ll be making one today! 🙂
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Marieon January 21, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Great tips, thanks Ann-Michelle! I’d love to hear how your scarf turned out 🙂
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Eileen Nystromon January 28, 2013 at 9:54 am
How about using an old winter scarf-softer,fuller,finished edges etc,etc. All on sale now if you want new.
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Marieon January 29, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Great idea, Eileen!
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Pattion February 9, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Love it! Over 50′ going to try this
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Cheryl Medlinon May 3, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I love this! Will have to get my 18yo to try it with me!
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Marieon May 4, 2013 at 10:08 pm
Do! And share photos when you’re done 🙂
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Lisaon May 13, 2013 at 9:55 am
Cool idea and something this non-sewing person could accomplish!
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Marieon May 14, 2013 at 9:44 pm
Let me know how it works for you, Lisa!
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Patsy Behrendton May 14, 2013 at 3:05 am
I love it!! I have been looking for instructions to make an infinity scarf from t-shirts for quite a while! I have spent almost an hour on your blog and now I have so much I want to work on that I just might have to retire!! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!
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Marieon May 18, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Thanks for reading, Patsy 🙂 Have fun with the scarf, it’s an awesome, easy day project with fun results. And I know what you mean about needing to retire, I’m nowhere close to retirement age, but I just have so many fun things I want to do and try that I’m running out of time!
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Dawn Graceon May 19, 2013 at 3:26 pm
What a great idea! This would be a great use for the old band t-shirts I love but don’t wear anymore and refuse to give up (I’m not the only one!)-
I’ll have to figure out how to piece everything together, maybe use fusing to iron on the cut out parts of the vintage shirts onto the large loop?
Anyone here done anything like that? I’ve seen the “make a quilt out of old t-shirts” but I have ADD and lose interest in projects I can’t finish in a day lol!
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Marieon May 20, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Hey Dawn—Great idea! I have quite the collection of band tees I’ve never worn as they are about as flattering as a bed sheet, but I don’t want to give them up! I’d recommend sort of “quilting” the sections of tee together, basically making a great big loop by piecing everything together they way you connect the t-shirt and lace bits 🙂
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Carol Anneon June 18, 2013 at 10:58 am
Wow … I”m gonna try this with a blood red t-shirt and some ivory lace.
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Marieon June 18, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Sounds beautiful, Carol!
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Erikaon July 27, 2013 at 9:46 am
Where can I find a lace tablecloth for this? LOVE it and want to try it ASAP! 🙂
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Marieon July 29, 2013 at 8:03 am
I found mine at Value Village 🙂 Check your local thrift/op shops!
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Kathon August 3, 2013 at 7:49 am
Lacy dresses and skirts are often available at Op shops with more than enough fabric in them. Op shops also have fabric remnants that are worth checking out for suitable tshirt type fabric as well as the lacy ones. Ours here usually have curtains too, doona covers etc that are sometimes lacy. Good Luck.
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Marieon August 9, 2013 at 5:16 am
Great tip, thanks Kath!
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Dion August 2, 2014 at 5:34 am
And then there are those of us over 60… we invented lace table cloths and tee shirts so we totally get it. 🙂 Oh, and we invented the sewing machine as well. Just say ‘thank you’. LOL
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Marieon August 19, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Hey, as long as my DIY fashion efforts aren’t being lambasted, I don’t need convincing 😛
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Dion August 2, 2014 at 5:36 am
And I almost forgot… we also invented the Internet.
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Marieon August 19, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Thank you 😉
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Myra Elliotton November 1, 2014 at 2:38 pm
I am so sorry you think someone over 50 does not get. I know a whole group of women, some in mid 80’s who are making stuff like this with found materials from resale stores. We all like to do things as expensive as possible.
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Marieon November 2, 2014 at 6:01 pm
It sounds like you could teach my parents a thing or two about what’s cool 😉
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Hollyon November 30, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Very cute scarf. Planning on making a couple for my daughters for Christmas. I have found so many different fabrics that make wonderful scarves. This one caught my eye. Very nice. I just have to chime in, I’m 52 and I do get it. LOL. Nice job.
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Marieon December 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Wonderful! Thanks so much for reading & DIYing with me 🙂
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jancie ortizon January 24, 2015 at 10:59 am
Over 50 and chiming in here – made it, love it, and am giving it to my 25 yr young daughter for her birthday 🙂
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Marieon January 26, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Fantastic! 🙂 Thanks for DIYIng with me.
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