Happy Christmas Eve! In conjunction with Fat Quarterly's 12 Days of Ruby Star, I'm going to show you how to make a classic Melody Miller headscarf out of Ruby Star fabric.
First, download and print your template. Be sure to print at full scale! Now, cut along the diagonal line that best describes your head (pixie, melody size, or big hair!)
Fold your fabric in half and align the short end of the triangle with your fold. Use a straight edge and rotary cutter to cut 1/4" outside the 2 long edges of the triangle. (Sadly, the 8.5" x 11" paper template isn't big enough for my seam allowances. You have no idea how this disappoints me:)
The next part is the easiest ever. For heavier-weight fabrics from my fall lines, simply fold and iron all three edges back toward the wrong side of the fabric by 1/4". A little starch will give you nice crisp edges. Trim away any wonky points. Then do a nice wide zig-zag stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance around all three edges capturing the folded edge on the back.
Alternately, you can first zig-zag stitch or serge the three edges and then fold back by 1/4". If you do this, you can stitch the folds down with a decorative stitch. See... fancy!
Now all you have to do is attach a ribbon. You'll need about 40" for this project. For some reason I seem to have a lot of sheer ribbon (probably because it's always in the dollar bin at Michael's), so that's what I like to use. I would recommend avoiding slippery satin ribbons because it may come untied and awkward social situations will ensue. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Fold your ribbon in half and pinch a crease in the center. Line up this crease with the center of your scarf. Stitch the ribbon down along the longest edge of the triangle, as close to the edge of the fabric as you can get it. I like to stitch both long sides of the ribbon down to the fabric.
You can see the design of the fabric through the ribbon. Isn't that pretty?
And... voila! You have a classic Melody Miller headscarf!
Okay, I'm gonna show you one more thing: how to make a reversible scarf with a pretty trim. It's easy-peasy. Cut out 2 fabrics using your template. If you have a pretty piece of trim, pin it to the long side of one of the triangles, about 1/2" away from the edge.
Sew the trim down. Put this triangle right-sides-together with the other, and sew all the way around with a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a 4" opening on one of the short sides. Turn the scarf right side out, and press. Topstitch along all 3 sides with a 1/8" seam allowance, closing the 4" opening. Attach ribbon to the opposite side from the trim according to the instructions above.
Now, let's talk about the most important part of this project: how to wear your scarf. I have many years of experience under my belt, and I'm willing to share some of my best tips here.
1) Do your ears poke out? Mine do. Make sure the scarf sits on top of your ears. See? Problem solved.
2) Does pulling baby hairs out of the back of your neck not sound like a good time? Pin your hair up quickly before you tie the scarf on. Then you can tie it happily with all your hair out of the way. Do you look extra-awesome now? Leave your hair pinned up! Not so much? Let it back down.
3) Do you look like you're ready for a day of yard work? Well, change your clothes, lady. Wear a cute outfit with your scarf... hello :D
4) Having weird face or hair shape issues? (We never said this was effortless). Push the scarf back so the front of your hair will show. Don't tie it too tight unless that flatters you, whereupon tie it tighter! Move your hair around until it has the right shape in combo with your scarf. There, that's better.
I hope to see lots of pics of people sporting their new scarves... Happy Holidays!
