My Version of a “Sholdit” Infinity Scarf (For Beginners)

A few weeks ago, I read an article in the Chicago Tribune that mentioned what to wear when traveling (I think mostly by air), and this is when I first learned of the “Sholdit”. I have to say that I wanted one right away.

The “Sholdit” is an infinity scarf (a scarf that is one long, tube of scarf)that has a secret, zipper section for people to put their phone, passport, etc. inside for safe keeping. I thought this was such a great idea, and I ventured out to make one of my own. I am still a beginner at sewing, but I thought that since the ladies in my very last sewing class were cranking these babies out left and right while I was working on a shirt, maybe I could make one without pulling out my hair.

Since the “Sholdit” is relatively new (and expensive $49-$79), I didn’t think I would find a tutorial for one online, though I tried. I did, however, find a tutorial for an infinity scarf. I thought I could just add a zipper to it. I wasn’t sure if that was all a “Sholdit” was (an infinity scarf with a zipper and perhaps a pocket as well), since I did see some type of drawstring in one of the pictures. I thought I would just wing it and see what happened.

My first step after searching the web was to follow the tutorial I found online. This infinity scarf looked so cute, that I just had to try it. The title was also inviting, since I didn’t want to spend forever making this thing! 🙂 I have to say that I did get confused when having to sew the ends together and had to rip out the seam and redo at least twice. It was nice that she mentioned “you can do it” in her tutorial at about this step. AHAHAH! She read my mind, because I was getting frustrated. Yet again…I’m a beginner.

When I was sewing the long part of my scarf, I placed a zipper in the middle of the scarf. I have to say that it didn’t turn out horrible, though I did have to fix it a couple of times. I am not an expert zipper sewer, and I really wished I would have known to make this in my class, I know my teacher would have made it easier. I still don’t feel that I know how to sew a zipper, since I taught myself. I am sure if you are reading this and you are a good sewer, you could do a better job. Here is a picture of the scarf when it is all done and also a picture of my 3rd-grade sewing job on the zipper! 🙂

I am excited to use this. It is wide enough that I could use it as a cover-up when breastfeeding, and I do plan on using it to store my passport and/or boarding pass when traveling in the airport. It just brings a classier feel to the traditional passport covers that are worn like necklaces. Those things are just tacky!

2019 Update: The original post is from 2013. I have made another scarf since then that has more stretchable fabric. I still wear it when we travel though my children are bigger. Still serves a great purpose. I don’t need to rummage through a bag that is filled with snacks, toys and tablets to find our passports.

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