Hello All,
I’ve just run across the mobius scarf in an old Threads, vol 91. After reading it and the addendum plus the short discussion in old Gatherings, I am still a bit confused about the “twist”. The picture of the scarf draped around the neck (before creating the bow) does not seem to show the classic “twist” which is the hallmark of the design and is mentioned by someone in the Gatherings. Also, I really was not able to follow the instructions for the lovely two-toned black/red version. Has anyone out there successfully completed the scarf and can guide me in doing so. Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks. Z
Edited 11/1/2007 4:45 am ET by zuwena
Replies
I made this scarf - if I had a digital camera, I'd attach a picture. Check the two issues after issue #91 because there was a correction to the pattern. Of course, I made it before the correction was printed. My husband helped me because my geometry level is below a first grader's.
Thanks for responding. Yes, I saw the addendum, which primarily corrected the dimensions and mentioned the point of "twisting". I may be making more of this than needs to be but I really did not want to risk ruining a piece of good silk that I hoped to use to make it as a gift for a friend. The diagram of the stitched garment seems clear enough but I just wanted some reassurance and clarification. Of course, as I noted, the directions for the two-color version are still a mystery to me. Z
Why not make a muslin? I'm sure it would help and wish I had done so since because of the wrong directions I had to buy more fabric to complete mine. My personal experience with difficult directions is to read them at least twice and then follow step by step. Good luck!
Or make a miniature version with paper. Sometimes merely manipulating the shape with your hands makes it clearer than trying to mentally figure it out. I'm assuming, without having seen the article, that it's a rectangle of fabric, (or two, since it's lined), folded in half crosswise and twisted a half twist before stitching the ends together? Try it with paper.
Thanks to both of you ladies. I had just come to the same conclusion. I've made a draft in paper and the next step will be to make a muslin as a miniature. Thanks again. Z
I don't have a copy of the original article in Threads, but I did see the comments on correcting the problem. Since I do a lot of "cut & paste" of articles, etc that I want to save, I'm attaching the file of the comments about this scard. I hope this helps! If anyone has a realy simple explanation of how to make this scarf, I'm sure there's lots of us that would just love to see it!
Kathleen Fansanella has a mobius-type scarf pattern of her own design on her website. With I had time to look it up for you. Galey
Thank you for the Fasanella site. I've looked at it and while I can see where she is going I feel like my brain is all thumbs.
Something about this scarf, at a very basic level, is confusing me so that I can't seem to get started. If you know: using Fasanella's redraft of the pattern, would I cut two and then sew them together at one of the widest ends, then sew the whole thing along the length to make a tube, which I would then turn right side out, and finally sew the other end? Also, if this is correct or whatever, where does the twisting occur?
thanks again. Z
Put your question in a comment on Kathleen Fasanella's blog. She responds to comments for old posts as well as new ones.
Joanne
Thank you I will. I didn't get the impression she did that sort of thing, especially from someone like myself who is not in the "business" and who might just be asking a really stupid question. I shall try your suggestion. Z
Sunshine,
Thanks for the attachment. I had given up all hope of getting any kind of response to my posting. I wish I could say that the addendum cleared up my confusion but it hasn't. Please see my comments to Mygaley.
If you (or anyone else out there) have any hands-on practical comments on putting this together, they will be very much appreciated. I'm not really sure why I can't wrap my brain around this--on the surface it seems simple enough but I don't want to waste good silk fabric. I love the drape of this scarf and would like so much to make it for two dear friends who adore scarfs and where them all the time during the winter months. Z
I made this scarf soon after the article came out and found it works exactly the same without the Mobius half twist.
IMO the Mobius word is misleading here as it is not used literally as the strip shows, but the author twice refers to the Mobius principle which creates the scarf tying effect. The article also shows joining the short seams in a circle with the long seams matching, implying there is no twist.
It is the action of crossing your arms and drawing the loops through each other which ties the scarf at the neck and is the magic - not whether you put in a half twist or not before sewing the final seam. Don't overthink it - just sew it up and try it, or if you're really concerned pin the final seam with and without the twist and see if you can see a difference. I couldn't.
Threads pg 93 ....By inserting a twist into each bow as it's tied ( see instructions below), the Mobius priciple creates the effect.......[my underlined emphasis]
The two tone version: Fold the long tapered edges in towards the center so you get a half size pattern. Cut two of each fabric on the fold as originally marked. See sketch attached.
You are an absolute life-saver. I guess we all have to meet a Waterloo at some point in our lives and this has been it for me. I just didn't seem to be able to wrap my brain around this. Your explanation of the principle, etc. makes it all a lot clearer and I now think I am ready to try it. If no crises occur I will try it out next week.Thank you, thank you, thank you. To all of you who have provided advice and have not let this die, my great appreciation. Z
Edited 11/29/2007 1:20 am ET by zuwena
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