Hello Kitty Look-a-Like Scarf

Every Christmas I hand make something to give the grand kids as well as a few children of close friends. This year I made 15 scarves. I used a Simplicity pattern #4354 that I have had for a while; it is a pattern for cats and puppy scarfs. They are very cute! I decided to try my hand at making something other than the puppies and cats, I attempted lizards and dinosaurs too. The lizards looked great.....the dinos looked like lizards. Oh well, at least the boys were happy with them. And then I realized as I was looking for the pics to do this post that I do not have one pic of the scarves other than the ones I took of the Hello Kitty look-a-like scarf! Oh my!

The favorite scarves though turned out to be the Hello Kitty look a likes I made. The pattern has a typical looking cat face, but I hand sketched one that was shorter and wider to look like Hello Kitty's. Later I realized I could have printed out a coloring page of Hello Kitty sized to meet my needs that would have worked just fine for a pattern. 

Your best fabric to use here is fleece. I started with other fabrics - some furry -  and finally threw them out and got fleece. I think a thick flannel would work nice too. You will need a length of fabric about 6 to 7 inches wide to make one. 

I'm giving you the instructions how to make this scarf according to me; not what the instructions that came with pattern say. The scarf finished at about 34 inches long and 4 inches wide. I shortened it a couple of inches for the smaller kids and added an inch for the biggest kids. The 34 inches fit perfectly (at least I thought so) for the 4-6 yr olds. Adjust it to the size of your child as needed. If you can't find this pattern, I am sure you could make one of your own from my pics.

Cut two pieces - PAWS to TAIL - the length you chose for the scarf.




Position head pattern onto scarf where you want it and place a pin in the center. (keep in mind seam allowances) Lift the edge of the head pattern piece and mark where the pin is located on the scarf. Cut out a circle about 1-1 1/2 inches with the mark at the very center of the circle on one scarf piece only. Using the bottom of a thread spool works well for this although the pattern shows an oval.

Pin both scarf pieces right sides together and sew around the whole thing leaving an opening about 4-5 inches. Turn right side out. 

Cut out two head pieces.  On one head piece, cut out a circle in the very center the same size as on the scarf piece. (no I didn't use a spool, should have :) 

I used a disappearing marker to mark the eyes and nose placement. Make the tiniest of holes where the eyes and nose go. I used 6mm safety eyes and a larger one for the nose. 

For added strength so the eyes won't pull through I used a small piece of heavy interfacing before putting the backs on. You can use a fabric scrap if you want. Pin the two head pieces with right sides together, sew around them. Turn right side out through the hole in the back of the head. 

Position head on scarf matching the cut outs and pin in a couple of places. If you don't pin, the head can move while sewing and it may be in a weird position after. 

Hand stitch the head at the cut out to the scarf body. Now you are ready to stuff the head, the paws, and under the head with fiber fill. You will not be stuffing the body area beyond the middle of the head. Don't over stuff as it adds too much bulk while wearing. 

I then machine stitched a line on the scarf behind the head to keep the stuffing in place. I also hand stitched the paw tips together. Then the wearer can pull the tail tip trough the paws to hold in place. A bow finishes it off nicely along with some embroidery floss whiskers,

And here it is again, my Hello Kitty look-a-like scarf!

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