Learn How to DIY an Adorable Shrug

Bonnie Payne Wiscombe
by Bonnie Payne Wiscombe
5 Materials
$10
1 Hour
Easy


I bought my little girls the cutest strapless dresses but I knew I wanted to add a little something to their outfits to cover up their shoulders. I bought an extra-large knit sweater and used the stretchy fabric to make the most gorgeous little shrugs for my girls. This DIY was so easy to do and turned out better than I expected. The shrugs add so much to any outfit and I love how simple it will be to make them again in a different fabric. If you want to learn how to sew these stunning shrugs, follow my step-by-step tutorial below.

Tools and materials:

  • Fabric
  • Measuring tape
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
How to sew a shrug
Cut out the pieces


To make these absolutely adorable shrugs, I needed to cut a front bodice, back bodice, and sleeves. I had already made two shrugs so to cut the first piece I had to get a little bit creative with finding enough fabric from the scraps. I cut the front bodice on the fold, but you can just cut two halves instead since it needs to be cut down the center anyways. Once the front piece was cut I worked on the back piece, which I recommend cutting on the fold. 

Cut the arm pieces


Next, it was time to cut my sleeves. I started by making sure my fabric would have the perfect width.

Curve the arm pieces


I then unfolded the pattern piece and cut the curved shape of the sleeve. 

Cut the second sleeve


I used the cut pieces to trace and cut out the second sleeve. I could already tell this shrug was going to be adorable! 

Match up the shoulder seams
Sew the bodice together


Next, I matched up the back bodice and front bodice, right sides together. I sewed across the shoulder seams and side seams to connect the two pieces. I used a serger for this project but any stretch stitch will work just as well! 

How to make a shrug
Cut down the middle of the front bodice


I matched up my shoulder seams and side seams so that I could cut the front bodice directly down the center. If you didn’t cut this piece on the fold, you can skip this step! 

Sew along the straight edge
Attach the sleeves


I was ready to start sewing my sleeves. I folded each sleeve, right sides together, and sewed along the straight edge. I then turned the sleeves right side out and pressed the seam to get my fabric sitting perfectly. 

Turn inside out


To attach the sleeve to the bodice, I turned my bodice inside out. I then slipped my sleeve into the armhole so that the fabrics would be right sides together. I made sure to line up the side seams of the bodice with the underarm seams of the sleeves and pinned the fabric in place. I pinned all the way around and then sewed the fabric. I made sure to press this seam as well to get the perfect finish! 

Cut the shape
Cut curved edges


I couldn’t believe this shrug was nearly finished! I used a shrug I had already made to trace the curve at the edges but it’s totally up to you how much of a curve you want to have. Once I had trimmed one side, I used it as a template to cut the other side. 

Measure the front opening
Make a facing


In order to make a neck facing, which is a detail I just love for this piece, I measured all around the front opening of the shrug, including the neckline. 

Cut strips


Next, using the fabric scraps I had, I made sure to cut strips, long enough to make the neck facing. I didn’t have a piece of fabric long enough, so I cut a few strips that I would later join together.

Sew the strips


I sewed the edges of the strips together to make one long strip for the neck facing. The shrug was so close to being finished and I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out. 

Pin onto shrug


To attach the facing to the shrug, I pinned it to the raw edge of the front opening, right sides together. I then stitched the facing to the bodice leaving a small seam allowance.

Fold the facing


Once the seam had been sewed, I folded the facing around the bodice edge to make sure it wouldn’t be visible from the front. I then topstitched the facing to the bodice by sewing close to the raw edge of the folded facing. This small detail definitely adds a professional finish to the shrug! 

Hem the sleeves and bottom
Hem the sleeves and bottom


For the final step, I hemmed the sleeves and bottom of the shrug. I serged the edges but you can use a zig-zag stitch or skip this step if you’re using a fabric that doesn’t fray. 

Sew a DIY shrug



DIY shrug

These shrugs are absolutely adorable! How would you style this super-cute piece? Let me know in the comments below! 

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric
  • Measuring tape
  • Pins
See all materials

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