Handmade Scarf Swap

A few weeks ago, I got wind of a Handmade Scarf Swap being hosted by two of my very favorite sewing bloggers: Sew Caroline and Sewbon. I can’t say my scarf endeavors have been particularly impressive, however I’ve successfully made a few infinity scarves so I knew I’d have something I could make. With that quick self-convincing, I immediately jumped on applying to be a part of this swap. And lo-and-behold, I actually got accepted! {insert happy dance}

I did a little research [like I always do…#DataNerdHabit] and decided to stick with infinity scarves because it’s all I really know in the land of scarves (plus, who doesn’t love an infinity scarf?!).

The only information I had for my buddy was her Instagram profile (which I immediately stalked for ideas).

I had some gorgeous bright batik-ish print fabric [with zebras!] from Butterfly Vintage that I knew I wanted to use and after browsing my partner’s profile I decided I thought (*hoped*) she’d like it too!

Before the holidays I had picked up some cream colored minky fabric in hopes of making a few scarves as gifts before leaving for England (that didn’t happen…). I decided to use that as my “lining” fabric for the scarf.

Minky is stretchy and a total pain to sew. I’m sure there are tips on how to sew it, but I didn’t research that part…

Anyhow, version #1 turned out a little shorter than I had hoped – it fit more like a cowl.

I can’t lie…after seeing my partner’s scarf, I was seriously inspired and desperately wanted to use faux fur.

I set off to JoAnn’s (I had zero time to search online for more options so big box shop it was). Their faux fur selection was weak. The only soft fur they had was a kind of swirly cream. It was actually perfect, but after seeing the TEAL my partner used, I kind of wanted something more fun.

Nonetheless, version 2 turned out strikingly similar to version 1…

The unfortunate similarity: it was still shorter than I’d hoped. Le sigh. My perfectionism sometimes gets the best of me, but I’m trying desperately to suppress it. (Plus, I was out of faux fur because I only bought 1/4 yard – which btw is the perfect width for a scarf [should your local craft store employee cut a straight line unlike mine]. I also recommend immediately washing and drying it because those fuzzies get everywhere before you do).

I knew I wanted to send a little bundle of goodies along with the scarf and I had 2 ideas:

1. Per my buddy’s Instagram profile, I gathered that she is the mother of two adorable girls (again, y’all know my love for a sister bond!). As a reminder of her precious girls, I made her a brown bird nest necklace with two light pink moonstone faceted beads (one for each of her daughters).

2. Additionally, I happened to figure out that she is from South Carolina (how ironic!). As a little reminder of home, I contacted my favorite local potter, Kyle Smith, to see if he had any of his palmetto tree ornaments left. I picked up one as a gift to the Hubs’ family in England and they loved it. Luckily, he had one left!

I gathered all the treasures up and wrote her a note on one of Rachel Tenny’s Flower Cards and got so giddy thinking about her receiving the package!

I whipped up a calligraphy address label for her and wrapped the package in my favorite polka dotted kraft paper (from Target) and delivered it to the good people of the USPS to take to my new friend in Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, I received my scarf last week from my #HandmadeScarfSwap partner too!

My partner (Virginia of Chaos and Adventure) rocked it.

I’ve been really into floral patterns lately and this soft, neutral toned scarf is exactly the accessory my wardrobe was in desperate need of 😉

My partner said this was her first time doing a flat felled seam (which clueless ole me had to look up – if you’re curious too, you view a tutorial here). Not a blemish on that seam…I would never have guessed it was her first time trying a new method!

I’ll be honest – when I received it, I immediately checked out the seams (I’m such a nerd. I don’t know why I always do this, but I do) and was all “wow! How’d she do that?!” I only recently learned how to do a blind stitch [the right way] by hand so I’m fascinated with new [to me] techniques!

Thank you for the beautiful scarf, Virginia!! 🙂