Last fall I fell so in love with this scarf, I picked it up in both colors (off-white & navy). It’s a super soft, gauzy, 100% wool in a simple check print that goes with everything. Sold! There was just one problem…it was too wide, so that no matter how much I folded, twisted or wrapped, it always looked too poofy on my petite frame (I don’t look good in an oversized blanket scarf unfortunately, even though I love them, like this one…but I just have to tell myself, “no!”). There was just too much fabric, and it quickly overwhelmed me anytime I tried to wear it. The obvious solution was to cut out some of the width, and it took this long for me to grow the nerve to actually take a pair of scissors to these beautiful scarves.
BEFORE
The weave is loose and gauzy, so I didn’t want to sew a hem (seemed like a difficult job), so I picked up a bottle of Fray Check to protect the cut end from unraveling. Fray Check is a launder and dry clean safe fabric glue specifically marketed to prevent fraying and unraveling, which seemed like the perfect and easy solution for this project.
This turned out to be a pretty easy DIY:
- I folded the scarf in half length-wise to identify the center.
- I took a sharp pair of fabric scissors and carefully snipped the scarf in half.
- I ran a light layer of Fray Check along the freshly cut edge and let it dry fully.
I placed plastic bags beneath the scarf for applying the Fray Check so nothing would accidentally stick. The dried Fray Check feels a little crunchy until you scrunch it up a bit. I just twisted and scrunched the scarf in my hands a few times, which helped get rid of some of the crunch.
Much better!
AFTER
Pretty easy, right? And now I have a second set of scarves to share with a friend. ;)
Anyone know of any other good uses/projects for Fray Check (this is my first time using it)? I’d love to hear them!
items in this post // Banana Republic scarf (old) (similar & similar) // Banana Republic shirt // iNDI denim jeans (old) // J.Crew shoes (old) // Linea Pelle belt (c/o)
I’m definitely going to try this — I’ve got a couple of scarves I just about gave up on wearing!
Good luck Kathryn! =)
I feel in love with blanket scarves over the winter and although I purchased a couple, I found that I never wore them, due to the volume overwhelming my smaller frame. I finally bit the bullet and cut the scarves in half and removed a few rows of the yarn/thread along the cut edge to fray the edge (the same as the original edge). It ended up working out perfectly for me and found that I wore the scarves all of the time after eliminating all of the bulkiness!
I’m definitely going to have to try your method with the thinner scarves that I have (and haven’t worn).
I’m right there with ya with the love for blanket scarves! Wish I could pull them off! Glad you were able to cut your scarves down and actually get some wear out of them! I’m looking forward to finally wearing mine now that I actually got brave enough to do something about them. =)
I love the “poofy” scarf look, but maybe this more has to do with the fact that I come from a much cooler climate, poofy=warm. The thinning out is a great idea though, but I don’t think I’d have the courage to cut! Even when I’m sewing something together or just simple hemming, I dread using the scissors, probably due to fear of regret. Great post, Kelly!
Thanks Cher! I love the poofy scarf look too, it looks so cozy! I’ve just resigned myself to the fact I can’t pull it off. I have a theory it might have something to do with having a small face and really thin hair, because I’ve definitely seen petites pull it off flawlessly! Oh well…thinner scarves for me… =P
And I know just what you mean! It took me all fall/winter of sadly watching these scarves go unworn to finally get brave enough to chop them up. So scary!
Great post, love the end result!!
Amazing photos love!
XOXO, Jessi
mywhiteT.com
I am shortish and often have the same issue! Thanks for the fabulous tip!! I found you via Already Pretty.
I own this exact same scarf and haven’t been wearing it because it’s too bulky. I haven’t cut it for fear of failure. But I’m not wearing it now, so what do I have to lose? Thanks for the article. You have encouraged me.
Great idea. This is the easiest alteration ever and it’s no-sew. I never thought of using Fray Check on the edges of scarves. Thanks for this post.
Cool! What would be the ideal width for a scarf for a petite? Some scarves are wider, some are narrower. It would be nice if you can share the maximum and the minimum width of a scarf that works for you so far. Thanks.
Hi Cindy! That’s kinda hard to say because I know petites who can rock oversized styles and others who look overwhelmed. There’s really no rules, just a personal preference. That said, I’ve observed having average to wide shoulders and long, thick hair helps a wider/oversized scarf look good on a small frame, while narrow shoulders and shorter/thinner hair can make them harder to wear. I’m of the latter, so I prefer a thinner scarf on my frame. Best of luck!
I’m 5’, petite and just cut my 16” wide x 65” flannel plaid scarf, gift from dear daughter. Wore it once last year and felt smothered. It’s now 8” wide which is perfect for me. I didn’t cut the length and once doubled, the 65” length is fine. I will re-gift the other half to daughter, also petite. I have two blanket scarves that are not square, but a wider and I think they will still be too wide cut in half. Maybe cut into three sections. Just not sure and hesitate to make the cut on them.
This is amazing. Are there any maeials his wouldn’t work with? Looking for a pencil thin plaid flannel for my daughter and hav only found very wide patterns.