If the idea of lugging around a heavy purse all day fills you with horror, then this simple pocket scarf is the perfect fit for you! Store your keys, phone, and cash in this handy infinity scarf. Made with knit fabric, this scarf sewing pattern features a zippered pocket to keep your necessities secure while you run errands or enjoy your morning jog. Look chic while keeping your must-haves on hand with this easy sewing project.
This project was first featured in On the Go Bags—15 Handmade Purses, Totes & Organizers by Janelle MacKay and Lindsay Conner.
Finished size: 7˝ × 33˝
Fabrics featured: Winged by Bonnie Christine, Art Gallery Fabrics
Materials:
- Jersey knit fabric: 3/4 yard of 58˝ wide
- Zipper: 7˝ length, 11/4˝ wide, heavy duty #5
- Stretch needle for sewing machine
This project can be used to hold:
- Cash and cards
- Cell phone and keys
- Lip balm
Cutting Instructions:
Note: When cutting knit fabrics, it’s important to cut along the straight grain so that your fabric hangs nicely and doesn’t have any unusual twists. To find the natural grain of your knit, fold it in half crosswise, so the selvages are to the left and the right. Hold the cut raw edges of the fabric and let the bottom fold hang below. Gently shift the folded fabric until it hangs naturally—now you have found the grain. Pin along the fold and cut your pattern pieces accordingly. For example, if cutting a 15˝ × width-of-fabric strip, cut 7 1/2˝ on each side of the pins.
Jersey knit fabric:
- Cut 1 piece 15˝ × width of fabric for the scarf, making sure to find and cut with the grain.
- Cut 1 piece 9˝ × 15˝ for the pocket (cutting the 9˝ along the width of the fabric, parallel to the previous cut).
- Cut 2 pieces 1 1/2˝ × 4˝ for the zipper tabs.
Sewing Instructions:
Note: All seam allowances are 1/2˝ unless otherwise noted.
SEW THE ZIPPERED POCKET
- Fold a zipper tab in half crosswise. Unfold and fold the raw edges in to meet the center line. Repeat with the other zipper tab; each will resemble a mini 4-Fold Open-End Strap.
- Sandwich the zipper tails on one end of the zipper between the layers of the folded zipper tab. Topstitch 3/16″ from the fold through all layers to secure the zipper end inside the tab. Make sure the zipper pull is out of the way when you sew. Repeat with the other end.
- With the right side of the zipper face down on the right side of the fabric, align a long edge of the zipper with a 9˝ edge of the pocket. Stitch these together using a 1/4˝ seam allowance.
- Fold the pocket over the seam and press.
- Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to stitch the other edge of the zipper to the other 9˝ edge of the pocket, making a fabric loop.
- Topstitch both zipper seams 3/16″ from the edge, being careful not to stitch through the back of the pocket.
SEW THE SCARF
- Fold the scarf in half lengthwise, right sides together, and pin the long raw edges together. Stitch along the seam you’ve pinned, leaving a 3˝ section open in the center for turning. Press the seam of the long tube open.
- With the scarf still turned wrong side out, insert the zippered pocket into one open end so that the right sides are together and the raw edges are aligned. The long scarf seam should run opposite the zipper, which is the front of the scarf. Pin the raw edges of the scarf to the pocket, easing the fabric as you go around the loop.
- Stitch the pocket to the scarf by sewing around the loop to join both tubes.
- Reach inside the tube to pull the other side of the pocket toward the other raw edges of the scarf. Align the raw edges, making sure that the scarf is not twisted and that the long scarf seam runs opposite the zipper. Pin the raw edges together and repeat Step 3.
- Reach inside the 3˝ opening in the scarf and pull the scarf right side out. Position the seams on both ends of the pocket away from the zipper and press along the seams.
- Stitch in-the-ditch along both seams joining the scarf to the pocket. Topstitch 3/16″ away from both seams on the scarf side of the pocket. Hand or machine stitch the opening closed.
Note: The scarf may be doubled or tripled—either way, your valuables are encased in the roomy pocket and won’t slide around in the body of the scarf.