DIY Network

Create Your Own Silk Scarf Design

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, cohosts of Creative Juice, explain how to make this gorgeous clothing accessory.

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Silk scarves can be used in so many ways. You can tie them around your neck, wear them as a belt or go Hollywood style and wear them as a head wrap.

Homemade Silk Scarf

By Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza

July 2, 2007 — Silk scarves are the must-have accessory for summer. They are bright and fun and can be worn in many different styles. You can tie them around your neck, wear them as a belt or go Hollywood style and wear one as a head wrap.

To create a custom-dyed scarf, you will want to begin with a plain silk (or natural fiber) scarf in a light color. You can re-craft a scarf from your drawer, or buy ready-to-dye scarves online or at places that specialize in dyeable goods.

Our favorite place for dyes and dyeables is Dharma Trading (www.dharmatrading.com). It has a good selection, and the prices are great.

For this scarf, we added designs and patterns with a simple batik technique. Custom scarves are a breeze to create, and they are guaranteed to turn some heads.

Have fun creating your own summer accessories.

Materials:

double boiler (or glass bowl and slightly larger saucepan)
prewashed silk scarf
wax (grocery store canning section)
cold-water fabric dye
clothespins
small cookie cutter
plastic tub or metal sink
Kraft paper
iron
stack of old newspapers

Steps:

1. Prepare your double boiler, or use a glass bowl and a saucepan as a double boiler. Be sure to tilt the inner container; otherwise a vacuum could form and you could receive a nasty burn.

2. Heat the wax until it's melted. Always keep an eye on the wax.

3. Spread the scarf onto a stack of old newspapers.

4. Clip the clothespin to the side of the cookie cutter, and dip the cookie cutter into the wax for at least 20 seconds.

5. Place the wax-dipped cookie cutter onto the scarf, and press lightly until the wax is transferred to the scarf.

6. Continue with steps 4 and 5 until you have your desired pattern. Allow the wax to cool.

7. Mix the dye (following package instructions) in a large tub or a metal sink. Wet the scarf with cool water and place it in the dye bath; stir and let the fabric sit in the dye for about an hour.

8. Rinse the scarf in cold water until the water runs clear. Hang to dry.

9. Place the fabric between pieces of Kraft paper and press with a hot iron to remove the wax.

10. Rinse in hot water with a mild detergent to remove remaining wax, then let the scarf hang to dry.

(Emmy nominated Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza cohost Creative Juice. For more information log on to www.cathiefilian.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

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