Bamboo Dyed Scarf

Bamboo Dyed Scarf

By Barbara Warholic

Did you know that you can dye bamboo batting? It’s amazingly strong and takes the dyes beautifully. This cozy scarf is made out of bamboo batting that has been multi-color dyed to create a mottled effect. Choose your own colors and wear it with a sweater or under a jacket. 

Supplies Needed

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Scarlet, Royal Blue, Sunshine Orange
• 1 Yd. Pellon® Bamboo Plus Quilt Batting
• Scarf Pattern
• News Print or Craft Paper
• Measuring Cup & Spoons
• 2 Shallow Containers for dyeing  
• Large Spoon
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Wrap
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Table Cover
• Straight Pins & Matching Thread

Instructions

Making Pattern & Cutting Scarf

1.  Draw a scarf pattern on newsprint or craft paper, following the pattern shown.  Also draw a ½” x 4” scarf loop pattern.

2.  Fold 1 yard of quilt batting in half widthwise so it measures 45” x 18”.  Cut out 2 scarves and 1 scarf loop.

Dyeing Quilt Batting

1.  Cover work surface with plastic cover.

2.  Roll and twist scarf pieces loosely like a rope and soak in warm water along with loop.

3.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Scarlet Dye with 1 cup very hot water, stir and pour into shallow container. 

4.  Remove scarf pieces and loop from water; squeeze out excess water. 

5.  Place twisted scarf and loop into Scarlet dyebath and let sit for 3 – 5 minutes.

6.   Measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Royal Blue dye with 1 cup very hot water, stir and pour into shallow container. 

7.  Remove scarf and loop from Scarlet dye bath.  Turn over and place in Royal Blue dye bath for 3 – 5 minutes.

8.  Measure and mix 2 teaspoons Sunshine Orange with ½ cup hot water; stir.

9.  Wearing rubber gloves, remove scarf and loop from Royal Blue dyebath.  Squeeze out excess dye.  Open out scarf pieces and loop.  Place on layers of plastic wrap, overlapped so they are slightly larger than scarf pieces.  Spoon Sunshine Orange dye over scarf pieces and loop to create interesting color variations.  Let sit for 3 – 5 minutes. 

10.  Cover scarf pieces and loop with plastic wrap and seal edges.  Line bottom of microwave with paper towels.  Fold scarf pieces to fit in microwave.  Set on High for one minute.

11.  Rinse in cold water until water runs clear.  Hand wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry flat.

Sewing the Scarf

1.  After scarf pieces are dry, press lightly with a steam iron on a low temperature setting.

2.  Pin the scarf pieces, wrong sides (scrim sides) together, matching the raw edges.  Trim edges as needed to make them match.

3.  Using matching thread, machine stitch around scarf a scant ¼” from outer edge. 

4.  To make scarf loop:  Overlap ends ½” and stitch close to end so it lies flat.

5.  When wearing the scarf, insert ends of scarf through loop and adjust to fit.