Making a Hippie Bag Out of Scarves

By Meryl Rougeaux

The hippie movement started in the United States during the 1960s and it spread rapidly around the world shortly after. Hippies got their name from the word "hipster" which described the beatniks from the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco. Basically, the hippie lifestyle revolved around psychedelic music, embracing the sexual revolution and exploring alternative heightened states by using recreational drugs.

Hippies have always been known to think out of the box and come up with creative ways to do things. When it comes to fashion items, they are very innovative as well. In fact, they can even turn a simple scarf into a chic hippie bag. The great thing about it is that you can make one yourself and all you need is a bunch of scarves and basic sewing knowledge.

The first thing you need to do to start on your hippie bag is to make a shoulder strap using an oblong scarf. Make sure that it is four inches wide and thirteen inches long. Start by creating a tube ending with a clean finish. To make the tube, start sewing the scarf inside-out.

Once you are done, the tube needs to be turned right side out to be able to make the seam concealed. Next, take the scarves and lay them down a flat surface. To be able to make the right sides face one another, make sure they are folded lengthwise in half. To secure the long edge of the tube, always use straight pins.

You will be able to keep them in place by pinning the fabric as you sew. Always allow a one fourth seam allowance so you can keep sewing along the long edge. Afterwards, invert the tube right side out as soon as you are done. From here, you can move on to working on the bag itself. Your rectangular scarves need to be laid on a flat surface.

Afterwards, be sure that the fabrics are folded width-wise in half. The sides need to be secured using straight pins. Using a top-stitch technique, keep sewing down the long edge and stop approximately four inches from the bottom of the fold. Continue sewing the bottom and then move on to sewing across it four inches from the fold.

Now you can start working on the fringe. You can do this by cutting the slits that are perpendicular to the bottom stitch to just about one fourth inch of the bottom. Make sure that while cutting the slits, they are equal in length. You will know if you are doing it correctly if the slits appear like loops.

To make two layers of fringe, keep cutting across the folded edge. And finally, you will be able to finish off your hippie bag by attaching the strap to each side of the bag by sewing them on. You will notice how all the scarves you used have been utilized to create the dimensions of your sling bag.

You can use your hippie bag for your art materials or even your textbooks for school. Not only will your bag stand out from the others but you can also say that you made the bag yourself. The hippies have always made it a point to work with what they have. This is one characteristic you could apply in your life as well.

So if you think you are simply just making a bag out of scarves, think again. By working on your project, you are actually making a small step to being an innovative individual. In time, you will realize that by keeping an open mind, you will explore a wide range of possibilities in life.

Meryl Rougeaux has been in the fashion industry for many years. She know what looks good, is in style at reasonable prices. She sells all kinds of shawls, scarves in silk, and many, many fashion accessories. Visit her top ranked online store at: http://www.fashionscarvesandshawls.com. You'll be glad you did.

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