Easy Vintage Hair Scarf Sewing Pattern
Sew a quick and easy 1950s rockabilly hair scarf. Vintage style pinup scarf to elevate your style. Beginner-friendly sewing pattern to wear at your next car show.
Do you love the vintage pinup look but, don't know where to start? Grab some peddle pushers, a black fitted top, and this sewing pattern! You're about to get your vintage style on.
This pattern is the straw that broke the camel's back- in a good way. I have quite a few patterns I want to share but, I lack the technical know-how to get them to you. This is the pattern that made me search the interwebs, far and wide on how to create a PDF. And, here it is! Finally, a downloadable pattern that was made just for you!
This wide hair scarf is made for good hair days, bad hair days, and for curly-haired gals too! I see you (I am a curly girl). Toss your hair up in a messy bun, and you'll be cute as a button when you wear this retro-inspired hair-scarf. This isn't a lifesaver but, it's definitely a hair saver.
If this thicker style headband isn't your cup of tea, I have a post on a narrower one, over here. It can be worn with your hair up or down. You can tie it around your neck, or wrist, or use it as a purse accent when tied in a bow. The size is completely customizable too, lengthen or shorten it to your desired size
Okay, let’s get started on the Wide Hair Scarf Pattern.
What You'll Need:
1/2 yard of cotton fabric
Sewing machine
Matching or contrasting thread
Chopstick or other turning tool
A smile, because you're making something cute :)
Let's get sewing!
Download the PDF pattern, print it out (*do not scale or resize), and tape it together. This will now be your pattern piece. Make sure to match up the star points. Cut out the pattern along the lines and set it aside. It will resemble a plague mask at this point. Haha, perfect for the year we've had. ;)
*The pattern will print out on 2 horizontal pages. They are made to overlap a bit to create the pattern. Match the star and you'll be good to go. No scaling or anything is necessary. If you'd like to trim off a thin sliver of paper to match the star up perfectly, you can. That's what I did.
PDF Stuff
You might have to trim a thin slice of paper for the star to fit perfectly.
Cut along the line.
Once its cut, it’ll resemble a plague mask.
Fabric Stuff
Next, wash, dry, and iron your fabric if you haven't already.
What fabric(s) did you choose? Did you go with a solid color or a fun novelty print?
Use pattern weights to hold the pattern down. Trace around, then cut it out.
Grab your scarf pattern piece and lay it on top of your folded fabric. Line up the folded edge of the fabric with the pattern side that says FOLD. You can do this with RST or WST, it won't make a difference for this pattern.
Use pattern weights to hold the piece down, while you trace out the shape. Use an air soluble pen or a chalk pen to trace. Cut along the lines.
Repeat the steps for the other side. You are tracing an outer and inner piece of fabric for your hair scarf. Cut.
You should now have 2 pieces of fabric cut out.
Now take the pieces and place the right sides together. Use pins or clips to hold them together.
Mark a 3" gap where the pattern piece indicates. This area will not be sewn so, you can turn the scarf out afterward.
I took an air soluble pen to mark the pivot point on the scarf. This isn't necessary, but it helped. The pivot point is where the scarf gets narrower.
Time to sew! Use a 2.5 or 3mm stitch length.
Seam allowance is 1/4"
Go slow, this gets tricky at the pointy ends
When you get to the pointy corners, leave the needle down, lift the pressure foot, and turn your fabric. If it's not quite at 1/4" mark, go back and hand crank a stitch or two. Continue sewing all the way around until you come to the 3-inch gap. Backstitch.
Clip your corners.
Time to turn the scarf out. Grab a chopstick or any other turning tool.
If you're using a chopstick or pencil, poke the blunt end into the pointed fabric corner. Slowly pull the fabric down around the chopstick until you can easily push it through to the gap opening. Repeat for the other side.
It should look like the last photo above, once it's turned out! Huzzah! The rest is downhill from here.
Iron time!
Roll the seam out. Using your fingernail seems to help this process. You can also take the chopstick and slide it under the seams while pushing the seam out and open as well. It'll take some finagling, but it's well worth it in the end. This is the hardest part of making this 1950s vintage-style hair scarf.
Back to the sewing machine to topstitch the gap closed.
Topstitch 1/8" from the edge, backstitching at the beginning and end. If you'd like to topstitch around the whole hairscarf, you can.
Clip any loose threads.
Press the scarf again. And, you're done!
Topstitch the opening closed.
Clip those little threads.
Ta-da! It’s finished and ready to be worn.
To wear the scarf:
Place the wide part at the back of your head just covering your hairline. Pull the pointy ends upwards, covering the tops of your ears, and tie in a knot on top of your head.
This is perfect for messy hair days and curly-haired girls too. To make it into a more formal look, pin curls on top of your head, tie this scarf up, and wear it with a pretty dress.
If you're going for a 40s style, you can pair the scarf with wide-legged trousers and a boxy button-up top. This hair scarf is for anyone looking for a quick and easy retro hairstyle!
So, what do you think of the pattern? It was easy, right? Do you plan on making as many as you can for the summer? I wear my hair up most summer days and this thicker style is what I've been yearning for! Easy & cute hair... yes, please!!!
If you make one or ten, please tag me on Instagram. I want to see them aallll! Use the hashtag #sewingtothemoonScarf
Let me know in the comments below if you've made this or plan to. I seriously can't tell you how overly excited this whole process made me. :D
Thanks for all the love and support on social and here! Sewing people are the best people.
Happy sewing,
Annette
Rosie the Riveter Headscarf
Sew up the easiest 1950s-style hairscarf. Uses minimal fabric and is customizable.
When getting ready, is your hair the last thing you do? Laziness can set in hard when doing your hair, amiright? But, it can still be cute when done quickly. I want to share with you an easy hair scarf pattern and tutorial. Great for beginner sewists or seasoned ones. We could all use a little help in the hair department when we’re short on time. ;)
You'll look cute as a button if you’re having a bad hair day. Or maybe you want to sew up something quick and easy to give to a 1950s-loving friend? This is the perfect project either way.
Materials You’ll Need:
1/4 yard of cotton fabric
Ruler
1/2 yard of contrasting fabric
Chalk pen, or other marking tool
Matching thread
Measuring tape
Sewing machine
Chopstick, unsharpened pencil, or other turning tool
Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
Pins or clips
Instructions
Measure your head or the person you are making the headscarf for. Write it down to use as a size reference.
Take your outer fabric and cut a long strip of the outer fabric measuring 36" by 2-4" wide (your choice). You can add or take away length and width at this point. This is the starting size that I prefer.
Use your chalk marker to trace the rectangle shape onto the wrong side of your fabric. You can use scissors or a rotary cutter and mat to cut out the fabric.
Cut an angle off the short ends from top to bottom, this is easy... just eyeball it. (The angle will give the scarf some style when it's on your head and tied.)
Iron the 2 strips nice and flat to get all the wrinkles out.
Sew with RST, pivoting at corners. Leave a 2-3” gap for turning out scarf.
Place the fabrics RST (right sides together) and pin, pin, pin. I left a 2-3" gap about 1/3 of the way on one side for turning out. This is important. Mark with pins where your opening is.
Trim the corners. Be careful not to cut through the stitching. This will make turning out easy and the corners will be crisp.
Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance and 2.5mm width. Start at the end closest to you and backstitch. Take your time, this is a long seam, and you want it to be straight.
When you get to the corner, stop sewing, leave the needle down in the fabric, and put the presser foot up. Pivot your fabric. Put the presser foot back down and continue sewing until you reach the long side again. Repeat the pivot method.
Sewing, sewing, just keep sewing. When you've come back to the gap you left, backstitch. If you forgot to leave a gap, no big deal. Pull out the seam ripper and take out a couple of inches of your seam. Take a few seconds to check your stitching. Make sure both pieces of fabric are stitched together and you don't have any accidental openings.
Trim edges to make turning easier.
Use sharp scissors to trim away the excess fabric at your corners. This will take away the bulk and give you nice, crisp corners.
After everything is trimmed everything, grab a chopstick!
Start by poking the blunt end into a corner.
Use a chopstick or other blunt end tool to help turn your scarf.
It's time to turn the scarf right side out. Take the larger end of the chopstick, wiggle it into a corner, and gently slide the fabric over it. Once you get this tricky part done, it makes turning out easy.
Almost done. We just need to press and close the gap.
It's starting to look wearable. Woohoo!! If yours looks similar to this, yay! If not, uh-oh.
Iron your head scarf flat. If you need to, spritz water on the whole thing and iron away. Wrinkles be gone!
Ta-da! Looking good.
Now, stitch the opening closed. Fold the raw edges under making sure they are flush with the seam. Pin the opening closed. Take the scarf to your machine and topstitch the seam closed. Stitch 1/8" from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end. It will look like the photo below when it's finished.
Top stitch the opening closed, backstitch at the beginning and end.
Yay!! It's finished. Where will you wear your new scarf first? Super easy, right? You can whip up quite a few of these from one yard of fabric. They make great gifts for others as well.
To Wear the Scarf:
Place on head, comfortable. Cross the ends over each other and tie.
1. Place the center at the back of your neck and pull the ends up towards the sky at an angle
Tie into a loose double knot. Add bobby pins above your ears if needed.
2. Tie a loose but, not too loose knot where you want the scarf to sit.
3. Complete the knot and add bobby pins to the sides of the scarf. The pins keep it from sliding off your hair.
Your 1950s Rosie the Riveter hair scarf is complete!
When you make one, tag me on Instagram. I want to see your version! @sewingtothemoon
If you have any questions or comments, leave them below.
Thanks for hanging out today, and happy sewing!
Annette
Fold your scarf into a heart shape. Yes, I have this kind of time. Haha