Easy Summer Halter

My local thrift shop had a load of great scarves lately, so forgive me for doing two fun scarf projects in a row, but I couldn't resist.

Here's what you need:

-Large scarf (mine is 26" (66cm) square, but you can go bigger if you want)
-scissors
-matching thread
-pins
-1 metre (39") of ribbon, lace, or trim for straps (not shown)
-sewing machine

Steps:
1) Fold your scarf diagonally, right sides together.  Sew a seam on each of the open sides.  Along the top leave an opening of 15" from the right corner and along the side, leave an opening of 7".  I stitched inside of the borders because I didn't want a big white line down my front.  Listen to your fabric and decide how wide or narrow to make your hems, anything goes~

Keep in mind that I'm on the petite side and fairly small busted (or as Blanche Devereaux would say...I have perky bosoms!  I'm in the middle of Season 5 of the Golden Girls right now).  If you're larger on top, adjust these measurements to suit your body.  You may want to leave larger openings at each end.  Experiment by basting your stitches first to see what fits you best.

2) Now the scary part....cut your scarf down the diagonal.  OK, not all that scary, especially if you paid next to nothing for your scarf.

3) Open out your scarf and press the seams.  You'll end up with some little bits sticking out the ends of your seams.

4) Just trim them back to match the edge of your scarf.

5) Hem the raw edges that you cut.  I just did a rolled edge but if you're not comfortable with that or don't have a machine that can do rolled edges just zigzag or serge, turn, press, and stitch down a narrow hem.

I'm not going to go into how to do a rolled hem, because every machine is different.  Just take a look at your manual or google it.  It's super easy and so much nicer than a raw edge.  Unfinished edges drive me insane so I couldn't just leave it, but you can if you're into that sort of thing.

5) The last thing to do is to add your straps.  You can use ribbon or lace or anything at all.  Just cut your 1 metre of whatever you're using in half and attach each end to the corners at the front of your halter.

And Voila!  There you have it!  A new, and super cute halter for summer!

You can even try a super duper big scarf and make it a dress instead of a top.

I have to admit, I wasn't so sure this was going to work but I'm super happy with how it turned out.  I think this just might be my 'go to' top for the summer this year!

I hope you give it a try!  Have you checked out my linky party page lately?  I've added new parties, and that's where I'll be hanging out all week.  Come on and join me!

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Happy sewing everyone!  And don't forget, you have until Wednesday, June 20th to enter the Martha Stewart Stitched Paper Pad~