¹

2

A

3

4

BC

Figs. A–C: Begin by folding the corner with the inserted wire into the center of the scarf (C1). Next, fold the bottom corner, leaving the kinked end of the wire at

1. FIND, OR MAKE, A SUITABLE DONOR SCARF

The ideal scarf will be made of as lightweight a fabric as possible. Silks are ideal, since they can be lifted easily without causing undue strain on the thin secret wire. Choose a dark color, to keep the hidden wire hidden.

If you can’t find the right scarf, don’t fret, making your own is about the simplest sewing project that you could hope for. I found a dark silk fabric with a funky mod pattern on sale at the fabric store, and cut myself a 24" square. Sew a narrow hem all the way around the border of the square, leaving about 1½" unsewn at one corner (Figure A). You’ll sew this corner up after you’ve inserted the magic wire. If you’re using a readymade scarf, open the seam up at one corner to insert the wire.

2. MAKE THE “LEVITATING” WIRE Finding the right wire material was the most difficult part of this project for me. The wire needs to be pretty thin — around e" or less — or it will be noticeable in the scarf and too heavy to be easily controlled. But it also needs to have high tensile

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the edge, where you can easily press it (C2). Fold in the remaining 2 corners, keeping track of the position of your secret wire (C3–C4).

strength, or it will bend under the stress of lifting the scarf. Good stuff to use is a springy steel wire called “music wire.” This is like the stuff that steel guitar strings are made of, only thicker. I got some at a shop that makes stringed instruments. You might also get some from a piano tuner.

Cut a 6" length of wire and give it a 1½"-long, 90° bend at one end. Put a kink in the short end about ½” from the bend (Figure B). Now lay the wire flat, and press down on the “bump” in the short end of the wire. The longer end should lift up as you press on the short end. If it doesn’t, adjust the bend until you have a nice little lever action.

Insert the wire into the hem of the scarf, and sew up the opening, concealing the wire within the hem (Figure C1).

Photography by Steve Lodefink

3. FOOL YOUR FRIENDS

To prepare for levitation, fold the scarf so that the plain end of the wire ends up in the center, and the crimped end falls at the edge (Figures C1–C4), where you can press on it, causing the center to rise, confounding everyone in the room.