Patchwork Scarf Sewing Pattern

This patchwork scarf sewing pattern is a fun way to use up scraps from other projects or fabric you’re not sure what to do with. Keep it as a scarf or make it into a loop to keep you cozy on cold days.

Making Patchwork Fabric

The first thing you need for this patchwork scarf pattern is some patchwork fabric. I had a stash of fabric scraps, some of which were already sewn together, that I used for this project, but you can make patchwork fabric easily.

Since some of my patchwork sheets were bigger pieces and not particularly square, I used the sides of my quilting ruler as a guide to cut the fabric into some 5 inch/12.7 cm squares.

I also had a stash of squares that were already sewn together, so I made a few more of those and combined my strip of squares with my strip of more random patchwork to make the scarf wider. Once it is all sewn together it’s 8 inches/20.32 cm wide, but you can make yours however wide you like.

Same with the length. A good length for a scarf is the same as your height (or whoever you are making it for). I went for 6 feet/1.8 meters) because I wanted to make mine a cowl that could loop around my neck twice.

Making Your Patchwork Scarf

Once you have a general idea of the size you want your patchwork scarf to be, you can start sewing your blocks (or blocks of blocks) together into the shape you need.

I started by sewing the pieces of patchwork fabric I cut into squares back together in one long piece.

Then I added a couple more squares to the part that was all squares to make them closer to the same length.

You can do patchwork on the back as well, or use a single kind of fabric. I’m using some plaid flannel I had left over that has featured in several projects (see also: adding pockets to pants). I cut it into pieces the same width as half the scarf, then sewed them together to give it more of a patchwork look, too.

If you want a scarf that’s not as warm, regular cotton yarn would be fine for this, too.

Place your two layers right sides together and sew the long sides and one short side.

Turn the scarf inside out (use your fingers to poke out the corners) and iron so everything is flat and lined up nicely. Here the scarf is bunched up on my arm with my fingers poking out the corners.

Finishing Your Patchwork Scarf

If you want to have an open patchwork scarf rather than an infinity scarf, fold the edges of both pieces of the scarf to inside of the work, pin down and top stitch. You can also top stitch the other side if you like so they match. Or go all the way around so the layers won’t move around as much.

I really wanted an infinity scarf, so I tucked the finished edge into the unfinished edge (also folding in the raw edges) and top stitched through all those layers of fabric. If your machine can’t handle all that, you can either sew it by hand or use fabric glue like I did for my sherpa scarf.

Here too you can topstitch all around if you want.

I decided to do a little (frankly not the best sewing job of my life, but I still like the idea) running stitch sewing on one of the plain blocks to add some more texture and hold the layers in place.

I’d like to do more of this on others of the plainer fabrics. You could also embroider, sew on buttons, add iron on patches or whatever else you’d like to make it even more your own.

I hope you give this easy pactchwork scarf sewing pattern a try to make good use of some of your scraps!