Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Once again I’ve created a DIY gift that I want to keep for myself! It’s true, I’ve fallen in love with these stenciled and dyed scarves that I created this week. In particular, I’m rather fond of the blue/gray and yellow ones. So, my question to you is, which looks better on me? (Because I might have to keep it.) The blue/gray ombré scarf with the peacock feathers.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Or the sunny yellow scarf with paisleys. I always thought I didn’t look good in yellow, but I think the picture is proving my thoughts wrong.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

For this gift idea, you can either purchase colored scarves or buy white scarves and dye them. I prefer to do the latter because frankly I don’t usually like the scarf colors offered (at least the inexpensive ones.) But, that’s up to you and your time availability.  Let’s get on to the tutorial, shall we?

Materials for stenciling scarves:

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials for Dyeing Scarves:

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Instructions for Dyeing Scarves:

To keep this tutorial from being crazy long, I’m going to show you the quick and basic steps for dyeing, but I highly recommend that you follow the instructions on your package of dye or on the RitDye.com website.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

1) Boil 4 cups of water.

2) Pour 1 cup salt [recommended for use with viscose (same as rayon)] in the hot water and stir to dissolve.

3) Pour hot salt/water mixture into a bucket with 2 gallons of hot water inside. Stir.

4) Pour appropriate dye amount (look on bottle or color formula chart) into the bucket.

5) Mix well. Dip scarf inside the bucket. Stir and let scarf sit for several minutes (about 10 minutes.)

6) Remove scarf and wring out any excess dye. Place in a separate bucket that has clean water in it. Rinse and wring scarf in water. Change water often and continue until the water remains mostly clear (this takes a while.)

Ombré dyeing technique: 

If you wish to create an ombré scarf, drape the scarf over a ruler or pole. Gently dip the bottom third of the scarf into the dye bath. Do not let the scarf sit, bounce it up and down. After a few minutes, dip the scarf in lower (about 2/3 way) and continue to bounce it in the dye bath. Finally, the last minute, dip the entire scarf into the bath and remove immediately. Dip it about six more times, constantly dipping to create a gradiation or ombré effect.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

After the scarf is thoroughly rinsed, wash it with like colors in the washing machine. Dry. Iron all wrinkles out of the scarf.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Tape one end of the scarf to a board with painter’s tape. Make sure the fabric is taught.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Tape your stencil onto the scarf. If there are areas on the stencil that you wish to block, tape over them.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Roll your roller into the paint. Roll any excess paint off the roller until it is almost dry. Then roll your paint over the stencil. You’ll have to roll over it multiple times to build up enough saturation of the paint.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Lift the stencil and position it next to the printed area.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Line up the registration marks with the last row of your stencil design.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

You might need to remove the areas you masked off and adjust to the opposite side.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Roll your paint onto the stencil until you have good coverage. Remove the stencil.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Allow the paint to dry. Remove the scarf and print the other end of your scarf. For extra color, you could paint some areas of the pattern with a second color.

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Allow to dry and enjoy your beautiful creation!

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

If you would like more of a visual demo, you might enjoy watching the Google Hangout hosted by HomeTalk on stenciling that I did on Wednesday with Melanie from Royal Studio Designs and Jesse from Scout & Nimble. It was a blast and there were some really awesome holiday ideas shared! They could also be Très Frugal DIY Gift Ideas!!!

I am in absolute love with the results of these scarves!

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Which is your favorite? I still can’t decide…blue/gray…

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

or yellow?

Stenciled and Dyed Scarves Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Help me decide!PHGFancySign

Pin for later!

DIY Stenciled and Dyed Scarves | Pretty Handy Girl

All the Très Frugal DIY Gift Ideas can be seen here.

39 replies
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  1. Guerrina
    Guerrina says:

    What a wonderful gift craft! I definitely have to try this. Both the blue and yellow look great on you, but my preference is the blue … though the yellow would brighten up winter!

    Reply
  2. carrie
    carrie says:

    both are beautiful. why not keep both….LOL. Seriously though, I prefer the blue and thanks to your inspiration I will be making some myself.

    Reply
  3. Janet
    Janet says:

    Gotta go with the majority here (so against the grain with me 🙂 ). The blue grey looks the most fab on you. They are all gorgeous. Do you have a Five Below store in your area? Haven’t been this year but last 2 yrs. they’ve had a great assortment of scarves, colors for $5! So want to do this. Great tutorial. Thanks, Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  4. Melanie Royals
    Melanie Royals says:

    Oh my gosh Brittany!! The scarves are ALL beautiful, the photography is beautiful, and YOU are beautiful. You rock in all of them. LOVE this stencil tutorial and project idea and loved hanging out with you on the Google+ chat!! 🙂 Have a wonderful holiday season!!!!

    Reply

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  1. […] in your life and it is genuinely one-of-a-kind.  Please be sure to check Brittany’s Stenciled and Dyed Scarves tutorial as she also shares the process for creating an ombre look with the dyes. PLUS! We have a […]

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