Fig. A: Lay out your scarves to find a nice composition.
We rejected a few of these scarves in favor of ones we
preferred. Fig. B: Use sharp scissors to cut your scarves.
They should all be identical in size. Fig. C: With right
sides together, serge each scarf to the next using a
4-thread serging hem or the method of your choice.
Fig. D: Once you have 4 strips of 4 scarves each, serge
them together to make the silk side of your bedcover.
Materials
» 16 vintage scarves approximately
26"– 27" square, made of silk, rayon,
acetate, or similar fabric
» 5yds hemp/cotton fabric medium-
weight for backing, in a light color
with subtle or no pattern
» 3– 4 cones of serger thread in light
gray or pale sage green, for scarf side
» 1 spool of polyester or cotton thread
in a neutral color, for backing
» Serger and pins
» Large, very sharp sewing scissors
» Chalk or permanent marker
» Double-sided tape for sewing
» 25½" square of corrugated
cardboard to cut a template
1. Collect scarves.
Although you’ll use 16 scarves arranged in a 4× 4
grid, collect a few more to ensure a set that matches.
The scarves should be 26" or 27" square to make
a bedcover approximately 100" square, which will fit
a queen or king mattress.
2. Design your bedcover.
Lay out your scarves — there are no rules (Figure A).
Play around with your composition until it clicks.
3. Cut the template and scarves.
Cut every scarf to the exact dimensions you decide
upon (Figure B). For our 4× 4 scarf bedspread,
we use a template of exactly 25½" square, which
works well with most scarves. Cut your scarves any
smaller and you’ll start to lose the scarf’s design.
Make a 25½" square template out of cardboard,
and use a fine permanent marker or chalk line
marker to rule lines on the scarves before you cut.
Use a light pressure with your drawing tool: scarves,
even silk, are stretchy and they don’t keep still!
Photography by Lindsay Brown
4. Sew the scarves together.
Make 4 strips of 4 scarves each, using 3- or 4-thread
serging. Serge one scarf to the next (Figure C) until
you have a strip of 4. Make 3 more strips (Figure D),
then serge your 4 strips together. You should now
