DIY || Brushstroke Circle Scarf

When it comes to scarves, there are few things I love more than a circle scarf.  It's the scarf that literally ties itself and relieves you of the angst you feel as you stand in the mirror and re-circle, re-tie, and re-loop your other scarves to perfection.  I love that this DIY Lindsey created is equal parts creative, pretty, and totally useful!  Take it away, Lindsey!...

My favorite texture and signature Lindsey Crafter print is a dot-dot-dash pattern of watercolor brushstrokes. It’s such a meditative practice and a quick way to add inexpensive art in a room. I’m always so happy with how this pattern looks on paper I’ve applied it to my favorite seasonal accessory: A light summer scarf.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own :

• Soft fabric paint in your choice of color
• Several large paint brushes
• Plain cotton circle scarf in a solid color
• Several small dishes for water and paint
• Water
• Scrap cardboard or wax paper to line your work surface

Directions:
Prep your scarf for painting by laying it flat on a work surface or table and lining the inside loop of the scarf with a scrap piece of wax paper or cardboard so that the liquid paint won’t bleed through to the other side. If the two layers of fabric are saturated and allowed to dry they will stick together and ruin your project. Keep wet rags handy for any drips and spills!

Add a small amount of fabric paint to a small dish along with a few tablespoons of water to create your fabric “watercolors”. I mixed several dishes of the same paint color with varying amounts of water to achieve different levels of transparency and color saturation.

Practice your abstract brush strokes on a scrap piece of paper until you’re comfortable enough to start painting the fabric of your scarf. Work one section at a time and allow to dry completely before rotating the scarf and working on a blank section. If you are as impatient as I am you can expedite the drying process with a hairdryer!

After your scarf has dried overnight wash on a warm, delicate cycle with a small capful of fabric softener. Lie flat to dry.

Wouldn’t this make an excellent Mother’s Day gift? I love this circle scarf layered over my favorite tunic on windy days at the beach. Play with contrasting colors of scarves and paint colors for bolder patterns or use multiple paint colors on one scarf for a paint palette effect.

Love this pattern? Download one of my free watercolor wallpapers to add color and texture to your phone screen!
Happy painting!

Photos and Tutorial by Lindsey Crafter for The Effortless Chic