• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • main dish
    • dessert recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • sides/snacks
    • drinks
    • low carb
    • Recipe round ups
  • Sewing Tutorials/Patterns
    • Girls Sewing Patterns and Tutorials
    • Ladies Sewing Patterns and tutorials
    • Boys Sewing Tutorials and Projects
    • scarves/hair accesories/hats/etc.
    • Quilting Projects
    • Home Sewing Tutorials
    • No Sew Fabric Projects
    • Sewing Round-ups
    • Sewing Inspiration
  • Crochet/Crafts/DIY
    • Crochet Projects
    • crafts
    • Outdoor DIY/Home Projects
    • pets
    • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Shop My Equipment
    • About Me
    • Contact Info
    • Work With Me!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms, Conditions and Disclosures
    • Frequently Asked Pattern Questions
  • Nav Social Menu

scattered thoughts of a crafty mom logo

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom by Jamie Sanders

Inspiring you to sew, cook and create.

  • How to Make an Infinity Scarf (easy tutorial)
  • Got zippers? Make this darling Rainbow zipper pouch with this easy zipper pouch tutorial!
    Rainbow Zipper Pouch Tutorial
  • How to make a Stretchy Headband (+ video tutorial and free template)
    How to Make a Stretchy Headband (+ video tutorial)
  • How to make a simple fleece blanket. (Perfect sewing project for beginners.) Makes a great gift/stocking stuffer!)
    Easy Fleece Blanket Tutorial
  • How to make a Cat Ear Headband
    DIY Cat Ear Headband Tutorial w/ Template
  • Want to learn how to sew a headband?  This super simple DIY Headband Tutorial is about the easiest headband to you can make.  
    Simple Knotted Headband Tutorial ( aka the Best Lil' DIY Headband Ever)
  • How to make a Stretchy Headband (+ video tutorial and free template)
    How to Make a Stretchy Headband (+ video tutorial)
  • Free Faux Shearling Vest for Girls Sewing Pattern
    Video Sewing Tutorial For Faux Shearling Vest Pattern
Home | Girl's Fashion Tutorials | Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial

120+ Free PDF Sewing Patterns, Girl's Fashion Tutorials, hair bows, Sewing, Tutorials

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!  I’ve got the greatest Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial to share with you today:

Easy Headband Tutorial

A girl with long hair can never have too many elastic headbands right?  One to go with every outfit and that will help keep her hair out of her face on a windy or hot, sticky summer day.  

(Especially a girl that keeps cutting chunks out of her hair. 😉  You can see really notice our latest adventure with scissors in this pic.)

I made my missy an elastic headband out of a red bandanna to go with her red white and blue outfit for school.  (They celebrated July 4th on June 4th this year.)  She tried it on and loved it so much, she begged for a few more.

What she loved about this elastic headband style is that it can be scrunched up and worn skinny or spread it out and cover the whole front section of her hair.  (Personally, I prefer the skinny look, but whatever, I’ll choose my battles, lol.)

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial

These little elastic headbands are really easy to make and by the time I got to headband #5, I was whipping through the sewing and construction in a very short amount of time.  

By the last headband, it was taking me just as long to hem the edges of the large piece than it was to assemble the rest of the headband!

how to make a headband

These easy elastic headbands are cute made with a woven cotton, but I really love them in a thinner fabric.  (Like a chiffon.)

how to sew a headband

Ready to make a few headbands for yourself?  Read on!

How to make an Elastic Headband

All you need is a bit of fabric, elastic and a few minutes at the sewing machine!

Materials needed:

  • Fabric scraps
  • 3/4 inch elastic
  • basic sewing supplies

Sewing Instructions:

Step 1: Cut fabric and elastic:

  •  Fabric piece 1:  16 inches by 6 1/4 inches
  • Fabric piece 2:  10 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches
  • Elastic: 6 inches

Step 2: Hem the Headband Edges.

Hem the edges of the long piece of fabric with a very narrow hem.  I used my narrow hem foot on the chiffon, but I ironed the cotton 1/8 inch, pressed and folded another 1/8 inch.  (Don’t worry if you don’t have a narrow hem foot.  I made these infinity scarves without one, you can click over to that post to see how I did it.)

Step 3: Create Tube that Covers the Elastic

Fold the smaller piece of fabric in half, right sides together and sew along the edge using a scant 3/8 inch seam allowance.  (Trim excess seam allowance.)

Flip the tube right side out.  I used this little tube turner to help flip the fabric.  I haven’t tried it, but others swear by this one.

Step 4: Add Elastic.

Use a safety pin and thread the elastic through the fabric tube.  Secure each end with a pin.

Sew a quick basting stitch to hold the elastic in place.  (After you have done a couple you can probably skip this step.)

Layout the larger piece of fabric, right side up.  Line up the raw edges of the elastic piece and larger piece as shown below.

Fold the edge of the larger fabric piece over as shown below and pin in place.

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial (how to make a headband)

Pleat the extra fabric on the backside so you are left with just enough on the other end to meet the ends in the middle.  (See next photo for a picture of what I mean.)

Wrap the other end of the fabric around the elastic piece and pin in place.

how to sew a headband

Sew along the edge using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Trim excess fabric.

elastic headband tutorial

Flip the main fabric piece around and repeat the steps to attach the elastic.

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial (how to make a headband)

Voilà, a cute headband, perfect for summer!

If you make one of these, be sure to come back and share your finished version on my facebook page or tag me on Instagram!

DSC_7791-copy-1

Pin here to save this project ==>> 

Don't miss any more posts!

Follow along on:

Feedly, Bloglovin', your favorite feed reader, or signing up via email and have new posts delivered to your email box each week!
Yield: 1 headband

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial

Easy Elastic Headband Tutorial
Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty easy/intermediate
Estimated Cost 1.5

Materials

  • Fabric scraps
  • 3/4 inch elastic
  • basic sewing supplies

Instructions

Step 1: Cut fabric and elastic:

  1. Fabric piece 1:  16 inches by 6 1/4 inches
  2. Fabric piece 2:  10 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches
  3. Elastic: 6 inches

Step 2: Hem the Headband Edges.

Hem the edges of the long piece of fabric (fabric piece 1) with a very narrow hem.  

(I used my narrow hem foot on the chiffon, but I ironed the cotton 1/8 inch, pressed and folded another 1/8 inch.  Don't worry if you don't have a narrow hem foot.  I made these infinity scarves without one, you can click over to that post to see how I did it.)

Step 3: Create Tube that Covers the Elastic

Fold the smaller piece of fabric in half, (fabric piece 2) right sides together and sew along the edge using a scant 3/8 inch seam allowance.  

Trim excess seam allowance.

Flip the tube right side out.  

Step 4: Add Elastic.

Use a safety pin and thread the elastic through the fabric tube.  Secure each end with a pin.

Sew a quick basting stitch to hold the elastic in place.  (After you have done a couple you can probably skip this step.)

Step 5: Attach Main Headband Piece to Elastic

Layout the larger piece of fabric, right side up.  Line up the raw edges of the elastic piece and larger piece.

Fold the edge of the larger fabric piece over and pin in place.

Pleat the extra fabric on the backside so you are left with just enough on the other end to meet the ends in the middle.  

Wrap the other end of the fabric around the elastic piece and pin in place.

Sew along the edge using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Trim excess fabric.

Flip the main fabric piece around and repeat the steps to attach the elastic.

(you may need to refer to the photos in the tutorial above to have a belter understanding of this process.)

Voilà, a cute headband, perfect for summer!

© Jamie Sanders
Project Type: headband

March 19 · 18 Comments

Previous Post: « Roasted Baby Carrots
Next Post: Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway for National Quilting Month! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. La boîte à mystères says

    June 6 at 2:37 am

    Thank you for this tutorial!

    Reply
  2. Joann Woolley says

    June 9 at 4:54 am

    I'm getting tired of seeing my daughter's hair in a ponytail. I am going to see if she wants to make one of these!

    Reply
  3. Pam Lauren says

    June 17 at 2:16 am

    Such a fun idea and a great way to use up some scraps of material! Thanks for sharing your great idea!

    Reply
  4. Ashlie Eborn says

    June 19 at 11:17 pm

    Those look so cute and SO easy to make!

    Reply
  5. Crystal Babcock says

    June 28 at 10:42 pm

    I just made my first one – can't wait to see if it fits my daughter so I can make her ones to match her new skirts!

    Reply
  6. roze11e says

    July 4 at 7:58 pm

    I was just able to whip up a patriotic one. Now I'm ready for my night shift at the hospital! Thanks!

    Reply
  7. roze11e says

    July 4 at 8:05 pm

    I was just able to whip up a patriotic one. I'm ready now for my night shift at the hospital tonight! One pointer is when you sew the opposite side together, 'accordion' it so that it matches your first side. It will help lay flatter when wearing it smaller. Great quick and easy project! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 7 at 1:20 am

      Good tip, thanks!

  8. Maureen says

    June 25 at 11:09 am

    I just whipped up two of these! I never like how headbands fit or look on me, but these are great! Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  9. Lydia says

    December 29 at 12:16 am

    So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Jamie says

    May 31 at 1:52 pm

    Darn, that is a typo, I’ll have to take a closer look and figure out what the measurements were supposed to be.

    Reply
  11. Carolyn Wainscott says

    July 7 at 8:17 am

    thank you for the tutorial. My great, granddaughter and I help in a program geared toward the homeless and we will use your method for demonstration and to give away. I love recycling projects and this fits right in. Am also sharing on my facebook page

    Reply
  12. Amy Kuwaye says

    July 4 at 8:14 pm

    I cut the big piece on the bias (plaid fabric) for a different look as well as more stretch.

    Reply
  13. Alice Molyneux says

    September 9 at 12:19 pm

    great way to use up scraps of fabric!!! now every skirt i make will have a matching headband.

    Reply
  14. Alison says

    June 13 at 1:33 pm

    These are beautiful and so sew easy!

    Reply
  15. Tracy deVeer says

    February 1 at 11:20 am

    Any hints on sizing to make for an adult sized head? These would be perfect on summer days! Why do the kids get all the good stuff?

    Reply
  16. Susie says

    April 7 at 4:05 pm

    How would I adjust the measurements for making an adult head band?

    Reply
    • Jamie Sanders says

      April 7 at 4:17 pm

      This headband fits me and I have an average size head. Make one, try it on and see if you think it needs adjustments, you can increase the elastic size if needed.

Primary Sidebar

Never Miss a project or Delicious new Recipe

You may share 1 photo and up to 3 lines of text, under the condition that proper credit is given to scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com.
(Must be a clear DO FOLLOW link back to my content & do not remove the watermark.) For more information see: Terms and Conditions.
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to
earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  For more info, read full Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy 

Copyright © 2021 ·Farmhouse theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Farmhouse Theme by Restored 316