Needlecrafts Sewing

How to Sew an Infinity Pocket Scarf

By
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson is a professional needlecrafter with over 10 years of hands-on embroidery, sewing, and knitting experience. She is the author of “Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small." Mollie also designs and sells stitching projects, co-hosts a crafting podcast, and has taught online embroidery courses.
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Updated on 10/04/20
wool infinity scarves
NAKphotos / Getty Images

Stay cozy and keep important items safely stowed in this DIY infinity pocket scarf. Perfect for travel, this scarf looks like any other infinity scarf, but it has a hidden zipper pocket that holds your passport, money, and more! Scarves like this look great, add easy style to an outfit, and they make it handy to keep essentials close. They're also easy to make, and you can sew up a few to match all your favorite looks. If you know someone who loves to travel, this makes a great gift! Pair it with a fun DIY luggage tag so they can travel in handmade style.

Tip

Select a fabric that drapes well and feels nice as a scarf. Lightweight flannel, knits, rayon, and cotton are all good choices. It also helps if the fabric has a pattern, which conceals the extra stitching and zipper. Of course, you can use lighter fabrics for warmer weather scarves, but you should still make sure that it isn't sheer so that items show through the material.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Pins
  • Ruler
  • Cutting mat
  • Iron
  • Sewing machine
  • Rotary cutter
  • Scissors

Materials

  • 2 yard fabric
  • 10 inch invisible zipper in a matching color
  • Invisible zipper foot
  • Matching thread

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Fabric

    Use the rotary cutter to square up the fabric and cut it down to 72 x 32 inches. This makes a slightly bulky infinity scarf. You may want to adjust the width slightly to match up the print or cut the two yards in half lengthwise to get two narrower scarves from the fabric.

    Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together. Several inches from one end, mark where the zipper should start on each side.

  2. Sew the Zipper

    Install the invisible zipper, matching the edge of the zipper tape to the edge of the fabric. Pin and sew the rest of the seam where the zipper is, matching the seam allowance. You need to sew on each side of the zipper. You should now have a long tube.

    Install the Invisible Zipper
    Mollie Johanson

  3. Sew the Ends Together

    Reach through the tube and pull the opposite end up through the tube so the ends are now aligned with the right sides together. Match up the side seam and any fabric pattern, if possible.

    Pin around the end of the tube, marking an area to leave unsewn for turning. Sew around the tube with a 5/8-inch seam allowance, leaving 4 to 5 inches for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

    Turn and Pin the Ends of the Scarf
    Mollie Johanson

  4. Close the Opening

    Turn the infinity scarf right side out. Unzip the hidden zipper. Pull the open seam through the zipper. You can now sew across the opening, following the same seam allowance. Push the seam back inside the scarf through the zipper. Close the zipper again.

    Sew the Opening Closed
    Mollie Johanson

  5. Sew the Edges of the Pocket

    Lay the scarf flat at the zipper area. Pin the layers together and sew across the scarf on each side of the zipper, lock stitching at the beginning and end. See the white dashed lines in the photo for where to sew. Try to find a way to hide this stitching on a stripe or with thread that matches as closely as possible. This helps conceal the pocket.

    Sew the Scarf to Close the Pocket
    Mollie Johanson

  6. Wear Your Scarf

    The pocket is large enough to hold several items, but the more you add, the more likely it will be that people spot the pocket. Instead, add only the essentials. 

    Place the infinity pocket scarf around your neck, twisting it one time to wear it double. Arrange it so that any items in the pocket don't poke out and show.

    If you're traveling and don't want people to see where you're hiding important things like your passport, be sure to be discreet when removing or replacing the item. Of course, you can wear this even when you aren't traveling. It's great for holding a slim wallet, lip balm, and keys.

    Using the Hidden Pocket in the Infinity Scarf
    Mollie Johanson