Brighten your winter wardrobe with an easy ruffled scarf that does not even require a sewing machine to make.

This scarf is loosely based on Anthropologie’s Catch-and-Release scarf, which is no longer available. The original scarf was made from a lightweight summer material, so I have altered the construction slightly to make a winter scarf.

Project Estimate:

• 3 fleece scarves from The Dollar Tree or similar
• Matching thread and needle

Total: $3

Begin with three  fleece scarves in the same color. I used three raspberry ombre-style scarves from the Dollar Tree. If you are also using two-toned scarves, line your scarves up end to end and blend the colors as much as possible from one scarf to the next.

Trim off the fringed edges.

Sew the short ends of the scarves together using a sewing machine or hand stitching so that the three scarves become one very long scarf.

You can use a sewing machine and elastic thread to ruffled the scarf. (Wind your bobbin with the elastic thread and then sew two seams down the length of the scarf.) However, I found the elastic thread tends to break under the weight of the heavy fleece fabric.

To handstitch, double up a long piece of matching thread and simply sew a loose up and down stitch for the length of the scarf.  Push the fabric down the thread so that it ruffles to the degree you like. Then tie off the thread at the other end of the scarf. Do the same for your second ruffle stitch.

Your scarf is finished.

For a variation of this style, see examiner.com for instructions on how to make a pleated fleece scarf.

The post Make an Anthropologie-Inspired Ruffled Scarf appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Reader Jessica just started a new blog called mad in crafts (named after a quote in Hamlet – love it!), and to kick it off she wrote up a fabulous tutorial for making a Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) costume, and guess what, she used a ton of dollar store stuff to make it!! She cleverly hacked up a couple of dollar store teddy bears for faux fur (crown & tail), used a white dollar store fleece scarf for raw material (including Max’s famous pointy hood), and bought a pair of oversized thrift store jammies for the main part of the costume (turned inside out, so they’d show white – brilliant!). You have to check out her tutorial and all her cleverness in making this amazing costume! If you made it through this paragraph and all its parenthesis, then you deserve to [click over to Jessica’s blog for the full tutorial].

If you start gathering supplies today, you still have time to make one of these great costumes for your kiddos!

Project Estimate:

• Thrift store pajamas, $1 and up
• Fleece scarf, $1
• Teddy bears (brown & white), $2
• Stiff yellow felt, $.50
• Buttons, on hand or $1
• Sewing stuff, on hand

Total: $5.50 and up

p.s. If you’re loving the Where the Wild Things Are theme this year, check out last week’s post and Wild Thing craft round up

The post Make a Max Costume with Dollar Store Stuff appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

In the spirit of spring cleaning, I offer Merwing-Little Dear’s super-easy tutorial for making your own Swiffer duster covers! When you’re done using them, toss ’em into the laundry! Now you have no excuse for not mopping and dusting! Evil, I know!

You can make them out of fleece blankets from the dollar store, or better yet, microfiber dusting cloths (yes, they sell those at the DS too!). There aren’t any instructions for making the Swiffer mop cover, but it looks pretty simple, doesn’t it?

Project Estimate:

• Microfiber towel or fleece blanket, $1

Total cost: $1

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We Wilsons posted this cool idea to make your own dusting mitt! Of course, if you are shopping at the dollar store regularly, you can just pick up a ready-made mitt for a buck, but if you have some of this stuff on hand, you can make one and bust your stash at the same time!

Some ideas for the dusting part: old fleece scarves or blankets, old sweatshirts or t-shirts, old hand towel.
Some ideas for the cuff part: cuff of old sweatshirt, old stretchy glove with finger parts cut off

Project Estimate:

• Cuff material or old glove, $1 or on hand
• Fleece scarf or old fabric, $1 or on hand
• Sewing stuff, on hand

Total cost: FREE to $2

The post Make a Dusting Mitt appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This is Fred the Hamster. Isn’t he cute? I sewed him a custom hamster cozy using two different dollar store scarves (for a swap on Craftster).  Sewing a hamster cozy is pretty simple, and using scarves for fabric makes it even simpler!

Since the project was simple and I wanted to make it special for Fred, I embroidered his name on the cozy with my sewing machine. My sewing machine is in sore need of a tune-up (it barely zigzags–what was I thinking trying to monogram like that?), and the letters are a little wonky, but I am happy with the personalization.

Scarves are abundant at the dollar store during the winter (and especially before the holidays! I have noticed that the scarf supply is waning now that we are heading toward spring); I picked up a fleece scarf and a woven plaid scarf. This cozy is fully reversible, too!

If you are making a cozy for a hamster, just sew securely, trim threads, and you’re good. If you are sewing for a gerbil (or other chew-loving animal), you might want to choose fabrics that can’t be easily chewed into and make sure you reinforce the seams by sewing a second seam millimeters away from the first seams. Don’t try this project for a gerbil! Fred’s mommy told me:  “I really wouldn’t recommend any fabric for gerbils. They are maniac chewers. Cozies would be excellent for rats and mice.”

Project Materials:

• Fleece scarf, $1
• Plaid scarf, $1
• Sewing machine and thread, on hand

Total cost: $2 (with scarf leftover–you could make a couple hamster cozies with two scarves).

To make:

1. Fold one scarf over lengthwise until scarf is desired hamster cozy size. Add two inches to the length for seam allowance. Cut.
2. Fold second scarf to same size and cut. If the scarves aren’t the same width, trim to the narrower scarf’s width.
3. If you want to add an applique or monogram to outside scarf, now is the time. Sew it to the scarf that will be facing outward. Make sure you sew it to the outside-facing side of the scarf.
4. Fold both scarves with right sides together and sew up sides of each scarf. (And again, if sewing for gerbils).
5. Turn inner lining scarf inside out (right side should be facing out now), and put it inside the outer scarf.
6. Pin top seams together. Leave a spot where you won’t sew about 2″ long or so – you will turn the cozy inside-out through this hole. You can mark it with double pins to remind yourself, or just remember it – you’re not gonna be sewing for long, here!
7. Sew around the area you just pinned, remembering to leave the 2″ gap.
8. Turn inside out through gap.
9. Turn exposed fabric (where the gap is) into the gap so the seam looks finished. Iron lightly if desired (use a very low setting – dollar store scarves, y’know!).
10. Sew around top seam, making sure the place where the gap was is sealed satisfactorily.
11. Fold top over, and you’re done!

Don’t be scared by the instructions here. They sound more complicated than they are. Even if you are a beginning sewer (or have never sewn anything before), you can do this project!

The post Sew a Hamster Cozy From Scarves appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Laupre designed these amazing legwarmers using fleece and some big buttons. I love them! They are a great stylish way to keep your ankles warm! For the dollar store version, you could use fleece scarves or baby blankets, or check the tea towel or placemat section for some suitable material to use. The craft section at my dollar store usually has cool buttons, too.

Project Estimate:

• Fleece or other fabric, $1 and up
• Lining fabric, on hand
• Buttons, $2 and up

Total cost: $3 but I bet you have a lot of this stuff in your stash. Be honest, now!

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These hand-printed scarves from Curbly serve as great inspiration for what you can do with the humble fleece scarf:

The project appears to be a basic stencil, so you really just need a fleece scarf, fabric paint, and something to cut your stencil out of. An easy way to make a stencil is to print your image on a piece of paper, cover the paper with clear packing tape (both sides), and cut it out with an exacto knife. Or if the image isn’t too detailed, scissors also work. Adhere the stencil to your fabric (either spray the back of the stencil with spray glue, or just tape the stencil on with masking tape), and paint. You can use a brayer (one of those rolly rubber things that looks like a paint roller) covered with fabric paint, or a brush or sponge will work just fine.

Project Estimate:

• Fleece scarf, $1
• Fabric paint, on hand (or acrylic paint, dry then set with vinegar & an iron)
• Stencil, make your own for free

Total cost: $1 or so

Fleece scarf dollar store projects are abundant, so I thought I would showcase a few of the cute embellished ones I’ve found. Use these as inspirations for your own creations:

Felt applique is cute, as in this Skully scarf by reese52.

This fleece scarf has appliques added. I also like the scalloped edge. From So Very Varied.

You can make a scarf into a hooded scarf with some very simple sewing. From About.com

Martha Stewart Kids teaches you how to make a scarf into a cute pocket scarf. Easily done with a dollar store fleece scarf.

The post Dollar Store Fleece Scarf Gallery appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Combine a plastic takeout-style gift box with a fleece scarf, and what do you get? A sweet little handbag, that’s what! This would also be a cute way to wrap your holiday gifts. Project shown: charliebrown

Project Estimate:

• Fleece scarf $1
• Plastic gift takeout box to cover $1
• Home decorating cord $1
• Button (on hand)

Total cost: $3

Instructions for making a similar purse here.

Charliebrown, on making it:
I got a take out box from the deli at my local grocery store to use as a template. I cut out the fabric, lining and stablizer, layered the pieces together, sewed them and turned it right side out. Turning was actually the hardest part. Than I did a lot of hand sewing to get the box into the right shape. It was alot easier than I thought.

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Why pay exorbitant prices at DisneyLand when you can craft your own Mickey merch made from those ubiquitous fleece scarves found at most dollar stores? (You won’t believe how many dollar store projects I’ve scouted out that are made from fleece scarves!) Source: spookshowbaby

Project Estimate:

• Fleece Scarves (2), $1 each

Sew the bag up (gray scarf for outside, black scarf for lining), applique a mouse ears silhouette, and you’re good to go!

Total cost: $2

You can’t beat that price for a handbag!

The post Sew a Mickey Mouse Purse from fleece scarf appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Check the laupre blog for graphic photos of teddy bears being dismantled, as well as a lot of great photos of how she made the jacket using seven bears and three fleece scarves!

The post Bear Hoodie appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.