Sewing a simple shawl

[New2itall]

Being out here in non-Pow Wow land, I have managed to make it into adulthood without having attended a Pow Wow. Recently I went to OK and was able to attend a Pow Wow while there (Choctaw). I was told I need to at least get a shawl for entering the circle during open dances. We are going back in a few months, and I want to have some ready (I ordered my son a Choctaw shirt from a Choctaw lady so he is covered).
So, I went and bought some fabric for my daughter and myself, and some ribbon for fringe. O-Yeah-and a sewing machine. As you can guess, I am now looking at it all and staring to freak a little. This [I]is not[I] a "fancy" shawl, just a solid color with some pretty ribbon fringe. There will be no other regalia to go with it. OK, now that I have typed in to much info, my question. Any tips on how to make this super sturdy for a 7 year old? Do you recommend doing a bag to hold the shawl in between wearing so she doesn't sit it on the ground? Or should we just tri-fold it and set it on the blanket? Any other issues I might not be aware of? Thanks in advance for advice!

[Czechy]

A search through the archived threads will dredge up a bunch of info on shawls. But basically,

Fabric: choose something washable and wrinkle resistant. Crepe-backed satin, gabardine, some knits, blends and medium-weight synthetics are possible choices.

The width of the shawl should be the distance between the fingertips of one hand, across the shoulders over to the fingrtips on the other hand. Length should fall somewhere between the upper thigh and the knee. (The butt should be covered!) Cut the fabric to these dimensions. Hemm all four edges.

Fringe can be sewn on or tied on.
Sewn on fringe can be cut to the length you want and sewn on one at a time by laying them side by side. Cover the ends with another ribbon to make a border to the shawl.

Tied on fringe needs to be cut to double the length you want. So for 12" fringe, you need to cut each piece 24". Poke a hole in the hem where you will put the fringe. Thread the ribbon onto a yarn needle and stick it into the hole. Pull the ribbon through. Even up the ends and tie an overhand knot close to the edge of the shawl. Repeat ever 1/2" or so along the hem, depending on the thickness of your ribbon. The 1/4 and 3/8 width of ribbon is good for hand tying. Anything wider looks better sewn.

An adult shawl can have 3 of the four sides fringed. For younger dancers, fringing just the bottom edge might make the shawl easier for little hands to manage.

When not dancing, most ladies simply fold their shawl and drape it over the back of their lawn or camp chair.

[New2itall]

A search through the archived threads will dredge up a bunch of info on shawls. But basically,

Fabric: choose something washable and wrinkle resistant. Crepe-backed satin, gabardine, some knits, blends and medium-weight synthetics are possible choices.

The width of the shawl should be the distance between the fingertips of one hand, across the shoulders over to the fingrtips on the other hand. Length should fall somewhere between the upper thigh and the knee. (The butt should be covered!) Cut the fabric to these dimensions. Hemm all four edges.

Fringe can be sewn on or tied on.
Sewn on fringe can be cut to the length you want and sewn on one at a time by laying them side by side. Cover the ends with another ribbon to make a border to the shawl.

Tied on fringe needs to be cut to double the length you want. So for 12" fringe, you need to cut each piece 24". Poke a hole in the hem where you will put the fringe. Thread the ribbon onto a yarn needle and stick it into the hole. Pull the ribbon through. Even up the ends and tie an overhand knot close to the edge of the shawl. Repeat ever 1/2" or so along the hem, depending on the thickness of your ribbon. The 1/4 and 3/8 width of ribbon is good for hand tying. Anything wider looks better sewn.

An adult shawl can have 3 of the four sides fringed. For younger dancers, fringing just the bottom edge might make the shawl easier for little hands to manage.

When not dancing, most ladies simply fold their shawl and drape it over the back of their lawn or camp chair.

That is exactly the kind of info I needed! I had looked through all previous threads, to the best of my ability, but many were devoted to fancy shawl or regalia. I selected a simple cotton fabric and baby girl picked a lovely ribbon that is about 1/4" wide, but since it would have to be sewn on, I wasn't sure on how to go about that. Hand-sewing. I can manage that, I think. (for luck)
I also love the idea of using another ribbon to make a border! And this is why the folks here are the best!
Please folks, don't feel like you have to stop here if you have other tips and ideas, It would be great to have it all in one spot!

[Mud_Woman]

Hello 'New2itall',

I am also 'new' at making shawls. Ive been wanting to make a shawl since last year, but nobody would show me or tell me how. Finally, just this past wk, the culture and language department held a 'dress and shawl making class'. I finally know how to make a shawl also. Now, all i need to learn is how to apply appliques.

I like to use the fringes you tie, 14 inch in length. Just like Czechy said, poke a hole in the hem using a crochet needle (i use sixe 8) where you want the fringe. Thread the string onto the needle and pull it through the hole. Even up the ends and tie a knot close to the shawl. Space the fringes thumb-width.

As for childrens shawls . . . i have no idea.

[wyo_rose]

A shawl is a good start for any little girl's regalia, and super simple.

I do suggest the types of fabric listed above, especially crepe, or any poly knit. They swing nicely and have a good weight to them along with being fairly wrinkle-free. But since you already bought cotton - go for it.

Kids grow so fast that you should make it a little big, so it can be used for at least a year or two. The width should be fingertip to fingertip plus allowance for hem(2"), plus about 6 inches for growth. For light fabric like cotton, you definitely need to have it doubled-over. Measure from back of neck to mid-thigh and add a couple inches for the hem.

It's usually best to add any designs at this stage. Using Wonder_under then ZigZagging it looks very nice and is very easy. You can even sew some lengths of wider ribbon across it, or paint it (even fabric or glitter paint), etc....

Then hem all edges with about 1/2 inch turned under, then turned under again.

If you're using ribbon for fringe, cut lengths double, like 28". Fold them in half then sew along the bottom edge of the shawl, spaced every 1 inch or less. You can even put them right next to each other, all depends on the look and the amount of fringe you want. Don't forget to seal the ends of the ribbon with fray check or barely singeing them over a little flame.

As far as making a bag for the shawl, I wouldn't. For long - term storage, you can just hang it in the closet, covered with a drycleaning bag if necessary. At the powwow, you can teach your daughter to fold it in half and carry it over her arm, or hang it on the back of your powwow chair. With 4 girls, it seems like I was always carrying shawls around.

Good luck, start simple and you can improve from there.

[annie_griffin]

Greetings all,
Should you sew a hem all the way around the shawl?
I am always confused about thread types go with which fabrics.
I am assuming that matters. Hope you don't mind that I just jumped right in.

-annie

[wyo_rose]

All raw edges should be hemmed. So just the folded top won't be hemmed.

Poly\Cotton thread is a good all-around thread. Just cotton seems to break too easy.

[annie_griffin]

Wyo rose,
Thank you. Several people have said that it is good to have a shawl if you wish to join in during the intertribal.
I guess I am going to make a shawl then.
I hope my sewing machine still works.
You don't suppose I am obligated to put squirrels or oak trees on
it?


-annie

[wyo_rose]

[New2itall]

Wyo rose,
Thank you. Several people have said that it is good to have a shawl if you wish to join in during the intertribal.
I guess I am going to make a shawl then.
I hope my sewing machine still works.
You don't suppose I am obligated to put squirrels or oak trees on
it?


-annie

It always comes back to the squirrels!
Well, squirrels and fry bread.

The whole idea of applique scares me. If I try anything, it will be a simple Choctaw diamond pattern. Simple meaning not fancy, but it sure looks hard!
I am so glad everyone is here with advice! I measured baby girl's shawl to the bottom of her bum, and realized I didn't allow for "growing" room. I am glad that Wyo_Rose reminded me of that before I laid thread to it (had only ironed in the hem)!

[annie_griffin]

New2itall,
It sounds like you are off to a good start.
I bought some fabric and some ribbon and I have a design.
Well partial design. Sorry no squirrels. So far just one Blackbird.
I am also nervous about the whole applique thing.
Well just have to start with cutting and hemming I guess.
My daughter said are you really going to make this project or is it
going to sit in the closet.Ouch! Seeing as I want to dance so bad
I am assuming I will make it. Maybe I could just say I made it out of some new high tech invisible cloth and save myself the effort.
Better yet I could actually get some of that cloth that Harry Potter
used for his invisibility cloak so no one will actually see me dance when and if I ever get the courage to do so.

-annie

[New2itall]

Well, I did it! I finally finished my daughter's shawl, and here is a photo. Thank you everyone who offered advice! I hope I got it right!

[annie_griffin]

Advice for shawl making

New2itall,
Your daughters shawl is very pretty. I hope she enjoys it.

Wyo rose and all,
I am at a point where I could use some help.
Here is a picture of what I have so far.
Yesterday I was about to throw it into the lake.
I thought it might be more prudent to ask for assistance.
I am not sure about the colors and my sewing. The edges
of the bird are all frayed. All help appreciated.
_annie

[New2itall]

New2itall,
Your daughters shawl is very pretty. I hope she enjoys it.

Wyo rose and all,
I am at a point where I could use some help.
Here is a picture of what I have so far.
Yesterday I was about to throw it into the lake.
I thought it might be more prudent to ask for assistance.
I am not sure about the colors and my sewing. The edges
of the bird are all frayed. All help appreciated.
_annie

You went way more fancy than I did. I am afraid I can be of no help, but I hope someone re-finds the thread and can offer advice!

[steelemagnolia63]

Annie,
you need to turn the edges under on the circle and the bird so that you have a little hem on them that way they won't fray... then I'd zig-zag the bird on the circle and then zig-zag the circle on the shawl... I think that it's going to be goregous....