Molly's Sketchbook: Long Pom Pom Cowl

This summer on the streets of Soho I noticed that last winter's big cowl trend wasn't going away, even in the hottest weather. Instead of  the bulky knits of winter, these summer versions were sewn in lightweight silk, cotton, and linen fabrics and were worn like flowing necklaces over tank tops and sun dresses. I am someone who hates to be hot, so even though I admired these pretty summer scarves, I couldn't imagine putting something extra around my neck in the sticky heat. But since the weather has started to cool down, I've been yearning for an oversized sewn cowl of my own!

For a simple look with a natural beauty, I chose two of Purl Soho's most special fabrics, Sheer Linen and Duo Weave Linen from Globalweave. They both have a gorgeous drape and come in a lovely palette of soft colors, from lichen to ash to butter.  To contrast with the subtle elegance of the linen, I added a sweet pom pom trim around the edges. The effect is somewhere between a beautiful scarf and a charming necklace!

Wear the Pom Pom Cowl loose and long or doubled up around your neck for warmth. It's the perfect thing to stash in your bag when you're not sure if you'll need another layer. I know it's going to be in my bag all season!

Materials

• 1/2-yard of Global Weave Linen, I used Duo Weave Linen in Brown and Sheer Linen in Ash Grey
  
• 4-yards of Medium Pom Pom Trim, I used Ivory and Lemon
• 100% cotton thread to match your linen

Cutting

Linen like this can be very hard to cut on grain if you're just using scissors or a rotary cutter, so instead it's best to "pull a thread". Make a tiny snip about 1-inch from the raw esge in the selvage and pull one of the weft threads across the entire width of the fabric. (The weft threads run from selvage to selvage, the warp threads run along the length of the fabric.) If the thread breaks off before you get to the opposite selvage just pull one next to it.

Remove the pulled thread(s) and press your linen. You should be able to see a clear straight line made by the gap where the thread was. Cut carefully along this line.

Repeat this for the opposite raw edge of your linen.

You will have a roughly 16-inch wide by 58-inch long piece of linen at the end of this process.

Attaching the Pom Pom Trim

Press one of the raw edges in 3/4-inch twice towards the wrong side.

Lay the pom pom trim along the folded edge so that the pom poms just stick out beyond the edge.

Fold and pin the bottom of the doubled 3/4-inch fold in half upwards so that it covers the tape of the pom pom trim.

Using your machine's zipper foot edge stitch along the very outer edge of the folded linen, making sure not to sew into the pom poms.

This will encase the tape of the pom pom trim.

Next, still using your zipper foot, edge stitch the inner edge of the fold down.

Repeat this for the opposite raw side of the linen.

The side with the sewn down folds is the wrong side.

Sewing the Cowl Together

With right sides together pin the selvages of the linen together. Cut off the last 2 pom poms on each end.

Sew the selvages together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Press the seam open and flat.

Edge stitch the seam allowances down.

Turn the piece right sides out and the seam should look neat and flat like this.

Press the cowl and you're all done. It should be worn with the seam in the back.

Comments

[Julie]

Looks like there's only a few colors of the pom pom trim in stock in sufficient quantity for this project... any idea if more will arrive soon?

[purl bee]

Hi Julie-

We should be getting more stock in soon. If you'd like to be notified when it arrives please drop us a line at customerservice@purlsoho.com.

Thank you for your question!

- Molly

[faunhaert]

This is so pretty. I've never seen pom poms look so elegant.
Her way of trim attachment is so slick and professional.
she does an excellent job of showing how to find the grain in a squiggly fabric.
this would be beautiful for a chiffon wrap or the many drapery sheers I've wondered how to use that i didn't have enough windows for.

[Josie]

Your way of attaching the pom poms is genius.

[Lisa Mackay]

I love this! I will definitely be making one, even though it is almost wool season again. One quick question - what do you mean when you say "edge stitch the seam allowances down"?

[purl bee]

Hi Lisa-

I'm happy to clarify: Once you sew the two ends together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance you will press the seam open so that it lays flat.You edgestitch each side of this seam down by sewing it to the body of the cowl just along it's edge, so that the seam will lay flat when you're wearing the cowl.

Hopefully this helps. Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Thank you for the great question! Molly

[Lisa Mackay]

That answers it perfectly - Thanks Molly!

[Jen Ell of Jen Ell's Revenge]

Loved this so much I had to feature it on my blog!

http://jenellsrevenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-tutorial-link-pom-pom-cowl.html

[Ashley]

I love this project and am making two to give as Christmas gifts. The danger of ordering fabric online, however, is that you can't touch it! From your store, I ordered a Globalweave Sheer Linen which is soft and perfect. I also ordered a Globalweave Linen solid in Brown. It's much stiffer. Is there a way to wash it to soften it before making the cowl? Will it still work with the stiffer linen?

Thanks...

[Ellen @ Black and White and Loved All Over]

I absolutely love this project. And that you restrained yourself and used neutral-colored fabric. I mean, I would have a hard time not pairing pom poms with some bright print but the neutral fabric + pom pom pairing is genius. Definitely going to have to make one of these. Thanks!

[Laura]

Great tutorial! The pom-poms are a great touch.

[Frida]

OH! I love this! The yellow one is just fab!
Do you really mean I have to make one my self?? Can´t I just buy yours? ;o)

[Jos]

Love it, love it, love it! I made my own version, it's on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Angela]

Would the Nani Iro Double Gauze work for this pattern?? Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Angela. Yes it would. It will have a bit less drape than the linen however. --Laura

[Suzi]

Any other light weight fabrics you would recommend for this project?

[purl bee]

Hi Suzi... This would be just lovely in any of the Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/company/179-Liberty-of-London
Let us know how it goes! Thanks for writing. -Laura

[Sandra]

Oh this is so pretty. And inspiring. I just had to make one. I used brown tropical weight wool and black pompom trim. I love how it looks and feels! I appreciate your technique for enclosing the trim at the edge. Thanks so much! I'll probably be ordering some of the pompom trim from you, that is, if I should happen to receive any compliments when I wear this, starting tomorrow. ;)

[Sandra]

Update: Yes indeed, I have been receiving compliments on this cowl. I just published a new blog post in which I describe what I did differently to work with a different width of trim (as well as how I overcame my own error). It's at http://makingitwithhelp.blogspot.com/2012/11/pompom-trimmed-cowl.html
And I just ordered three colors of pompom trim from you -- can't wait to make more of these. Thanks again!

[BB]

How I wish these were available to buy!!