If you often wear a sleeveless evening dress or a top with trousers or skirt, a shawl can give you some warmth while complementing your outfit. It’s amazing how much warmth is provided by wearing something light over your arms.
You may have bought a dress for a late summer or fall/autumn wedding and are a bit uneasy about the possibility of unsettled weather. If so, a shawl will work well for you. Or you may simply want a shawl to add a bit of dazzle and a feminine touch. When going out for that special lunch or dinner, a shawl also adds a bit of formality.
Fabric for your Shawl
Particularly suitable materials to use for your shawl are chiffon or silk as they drape nicely. They work well for a formal shawl. Chiffon or silk are also ideal to accompany a formal dress for a ball, formal dinner, wedding or special function. A satin shawl can be sewed to match a satin evening dress. Lace is also a nice alternative.
Chiffon fabric that has self-embroidery or pattern can be very striking. Just make sure it doesn’t conflict with your dress or trouser ensemble. Your shawl needs to compliment not conflict whatever else you are wearing.
Light material such as soft cotton or any other material that drapes well can be used for daytime wear. Making several shawls in different fabrics is easy and gives you something to wear whatever the occasion. Or give a shawl as a creative gift made with your own hands.
Making your Shawl
Take a metre length of fabric:
- Cut it in half lengthways. The shop you buy the material from will probably be prepared to cut it lengthways for you. You then have two long pieces of fabric.
- Sew the fabric end to end. You then have one long piece of fabric double the length of your two original pieces.
- Try on shawl to check length. If it's too long for you, cut material from the ends. (See below)
- Iron and turn in a half centimetre (1/4 inch) edge all around the shawl. The edge is folded to the wrong side. Fold in again (If it's a fabric that doesn’t fray and the edge is neat you may get away with just folding it in once). Pin the edge. Then sew around all the edge on your sewing machine.
- If you don’t own a machine or just want to hand sew, sew around the edge with a simple hem or slip stitch
- At the ends you can add a decoration of your choice, or just leave plain.
Decorative Options:-
- Decorative buttons.
- Beads – these can be sewn with embroidery cotton. You can sew them close to the fabric or let them hang down a centimetre 1/2 inch) each.
- Purchased fringe
- Decorative ribbon or braiding
Deciding on the Length and Colour of your Shawl
For a formal ocassion shawl a long shawl is very suitable. You may want to try the shawl on with your special outfit to determine the required length. For a daytime shawl you will probably want it shorter. A shorter one looks less formal and is probably easier to wear during the day.
Your could make chiffon shawls in different colours to change your outfits for different occasions.
Shawls can be attractive in the same material and colour as your outfit. Or you might like to use a complimentary colour. For example a mauve shawl would go well with a pink or blue dress.
When you have finished your shawl walk out with confidence and 'steel the show.' People will be amazed when you say "I made it myself."
Vivienne May Ball - As a writer and journalist I seek to make a difference in peoples lives and in the world around. I like to ask the questions and to use my ...
