SDR (Scuba Doo Rag) Pattern & Layout

Here's the pdf file for the pattern.  Print pattern out on your printer, then match line A to line B to make the total Center Top piece.  There are four pieces:

1. Center Top (this piece will need to be glued together from the pages you print out.
2. Side
3. Front Tie
4. Tie Ends

This shows the layout out of all the pieces.  There should be four pieces, two are cut on fold.  When you cut on fold you cut one piece.  The other pieces that are not on fold, you will cut two pieces.  I would lay out like above, as the "nap" or direction of the fabric is consistent with how the pieces will go together to make the final product.

The large arrow is the "straight" of grain of fabric.  The strength of the fabric is the lengthwise or long strands of the fabric - this is called the warp of the fabric.  (The crosswise threads/weaving is called woof.)

 

The pattern has some "notches" and other markings.  The dart markings on the Center Top piece, notches on the top of the Center Front piece, notches on the end of the Center Front and Tie End pieces.  Mark each as they are important.

The direction of the fabric is important.  You can cut two ways:  Cut with the design of the fabric right side up in front or right side up in back.  I usually choose the former, as I figure most people will be looking at my front not back.  In the design above, the seahorses are facing up from the front.

I mark the end of the dark in the Center Top piece with a pin "in" (top of pin) as the point of the end of the dart.  This needs to be marked on the wrong side of the fabric. 

With a few easy markings and care in cutting, this is an easy pattern to put together.

Comments

[Syndi]

I am wanting to start making doo rags for children that are receiving cancer treatment. I have been told by some of the Moms that the kids really prefer the doo rags, but they are hard to find in children's sizes.

I started by using your pattern to make a doo rag for myself. With regard to the pattern and instructions, I don't see any notches on the front band and the top cap as indicated in the instructions "Sew the front band onto the top cap, match the notches in front."

Also, once I get to the step that says "Press the remaining outside seams in a 3/8" seam allowance," I have about 1/4" unfinished edeg on each Side piece at the back where the Side connects to the Center Top and the Front Tie. This will not easily turn under as where it attaches to the Center Top has already been turned back 3/8".

If I am looking at the cap from the rear, from the left side, I have the seam where the Tie End is sewn to the Front Tie, then the 1/4" section which has an unfinished edge, and then the Center Top section to the left of the dart which I turned back 3/8" at the step that says "Starting at the bottom of the dar, fold the short side up 3/8" and pin to the other side...".

Can you tell me what I did wrong such that I have the 1/4" raw edge? I can send a picture, but the fabric is black and I'm concerned it will not be easy to see.

Also, as I want to make these for children, do you think I could use my copier to shrink the master pattern, or will that not work?

Thanks,

Syndi Hillberry
shillberry@valornet.com

[ClaireOKC]

Hey Syndi - what a wonderful use for these caps. I did a new blog for it here
http://clairekennedydesign.typepad.com/the_atelier_of_claire_ken/2008/07/scuba-doo-rag-re-doo---still-a-freebie.html
with a new pattern. I'm so used to using, making up and marking patterns, that I forget others don't use the same markings - frankly, I forget how much I know - I'm working on doing the pattern and it's fun and a joy, I just do it.

If you have any other questions, just post them here and I'll get them.