Hood Scarf
==========

.. figure:: hood_scarf_front.jpg
   :align: center

.. only:: html

   .. contents::

For all of your post-apocalyptic (or cosplaying) needs, a pattern for a
very simple hood-scarf.

This is a zero-waste pattern, resulting in a square hood.

It is a quick and easy project, suitable for handsewing even with the
limited kit you've been able to grab just before the Fall of
Civilization (finding the materials is left as an exercise to the
reader), but can also be mostly machine sewn.

Materials
---------

Fabric
^^^^^^

* 70 - 80 cm of a light to mid weight fabric; wool, silk or linen are
  good choices, on a scale from cold to warm weather.

Two scarves of the same size, at least 30 cm wide and 120 cm long can
also be used: in this case there won't be a need to hem the long edges.

Notions
^^^^^^^

* Sewing thread to match the fabric;
* optional: thicker thread to make a thread bar.

Pattern
-------

Measure around your head, at the height of the forehead, and around the
face from the top of the head to the chin; take the biggest measurement
and divide it by two: this is the *minimum* width of the scarf, if you
want a deeper hood add maybe a cm or two. This will probably be
somewhere between 30 and 35 cm.

Cut two rectangles of fabric as high as the measurement above plus 2-4
cm for hemming allowance and using the full width of the fabric,
keeping the selvedges.

Instructions
------------

.. figure:: 0101-top_seam.jpg
   :align: center

Put the two pieces right sides together and sew one short edge with a
running backstitch (by hand) or by machine. Press open.

.. tip::

   .. figure:: 0102-curved_seam.jpg
      :align: center

   Optionally you may want to curve down the seam a little towards the
   back to avoid a sharp point.

.. figure:: 0103-hemming_sides.jpg
   :align: center

Hem the long sides: fold them down twice towards the wrong sides, sew
with a hemstitch by hand or topstitch by machine.

.. figure:: 0104-whipstitching_back.jpg
   :align: center

Fold the scarf in half, right sides together; starting from the top
measure the width of the scarf and whipstitch the back seam for that
length.

.. tip::

   This last seam is easier to do by hand; if you want to use a machine
   you may want to lay the two halves side by side and topstitch with a
   zig-zag stitch, but the area near the top seam will be quite fussy.

.. tip::

   Before finishing this last seam with a knot check the hood for fit,
   and if necessary adapt its length.

.. figure:: 0105-thread_bar.jpg
   :align: center

Optional but recommended: a short distance from the end of the back
seam, make a thread bar between the two free sides to reinforce the weak
point at the end of the seam.

Gallery
-------

.. figure:: hood_scarf_back.jpg
   :align: center

   The scarf worn as in the opening picture, seen from the back.

.. figure:: masked_hood_front.jpg
   :align: center

   To keep the scarf wrapped around the face like this I've used two pins at
   around cheek height and one around shoulder height on my left (right
   side of the picture).

See Also
--------