This Headband Sewing Pattern is the perfect project for beginners.
Here you will learn how to make a stretch homemade headband for any size you want. Yes, any size!
This way you can make headband sewing patterns for you, your friends, and even for kids and babies.
Isn’t it great??
I have always been in love with headbands for adults. They are such a nice accessory.
And they are actually pretty practical too. Not only a good-looking headpiece.
You might need it to hold your hair back when you exercise. Maybe you just want to cover your ears in a cold season.
You are perhaps looking to add a little style into your outfit of the day.
Whatever the reason is, you have found the perfect place to learn how to make all these styles of headbands.
Today you will learn how to do a Headband Sewing Pattern for any occasion and for any size too.
That’s right!
And the best thing is that once you learn how to make fabric headbands you will be able to use your fabric knit scraps.
You can also make matching headbands for you and your kids.
In fact, this can be a great sewing gift for your friends and family.
I am already planning to make several DIY Fabric Headbands for my family gals on Christmas because it is guaranteed to be a loved present.
Wouldn’t you agree?
The great thing about using knit fabric for this project is that one size headband can fit a lot of heads.
So, don’t be too afraid of the width of the head circumference. Just make sure to try it on yourself first.
If yours doesn’t end up being too tight, it would likely fit the same to all of your friends.
And just in case it doesn’t, I will give you the standard measurements to make them.
How do you make a beginner headband sewing pattern?
To make a beginner headband sewing pattern you are going to need your head circumference measurement and know how to use either a home or a serger machine.
First of all, you are going to choose the right kind of knit fabric for you to use for this project.
I am using a Jersey Cotton Knit Fabric with 50% stretch.
Then we are going to subtract the ease of the knit fabric to that measurement so the headband fits tight and comfortably into our head.
Finally, we will trace the pattern directly into the fabric and sew it following the tutorial instructions in this post.
When you learn how to do this, you can go ahead and customize it however you prefer.
You can add bows, beads, or a faux knot as the one I will show you at the end of this tutorial.
In this tutorial, I will give you directions on how to sew an easy headband with 3 different styles.
But if what you want is to give your headband different uses, you only need to change the width of it on the pattern.
Wide Headband Sewing Pattern
If you want to make a wide headband sewing pattern, like the ones that cover your ears and a good portion of your head… Then, you’ll need to cut a 10″ width band.
These last headbands are very popular in the cold weather season. They keep your head and ears warm and the best thing is that they also make you look super stylish and feminine.
I bet you and your friends would look beautiful in this style.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a narrower headband to use as a subtle and simple accessory you will use a 1 ½” width.
For a regular size headband, like the ones you use for sports, you will need to cut your pattern with a 4 ½” width.
How do you make a knotted headband?
Adding a knot to a simple headband is pretty easy. The only thing you need is a small piece of extra fabric.
We are going to sew this piece by wrapping it around our simple headband sewing pattern, and then closing it with an invisible stitch on the back.
A knot in your headband will make it look so much more stylish. And if you place it in the right place, you can turn the knot around your head and use the same headband with and without the knot showing.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some knit fabric leftovers and let’s make a stretchy headband!
OK so here is how we do them.
Simple Headband Sewing Pattern and Tutorial
Now you can print these sewing instructions! Just go to the bottom of the post to get the printable version.
You will need the following list of materials:
- About 1/4 yard of knit fabric
- Fabric Scissors
- Matching thread
- Hand needle
1. Measure your head
The first thing to do is make your DIY Headband Pattern.
Start by measuring the circumference of your head as I show in the picture here.
Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your head from the top, passing it behind your ears and through the nape of the neck.
2. Draft your Pattern
Cut a fabric rectangle with these measurements: Head Circumference minus 1″ (if 50% stretch) or 1 1/2″ (if 75% stretch) by the width you want.
- For a narrow headband: 1 ½” width
- If you want a medium/regular size: 4 ½”
- Wide headband sewing pattern: 10″
In my case, my head circumference was 22 1/2″ and my fabric had a 50% stretch so my end measurements were: 21 1/2″ by the width of a regular size headband which is 4 1/2″.
3. Sew the ends
Fold this rectangle in half and use your Serger Machine to close the smaller ends.
If you don’t have a Serger, there are other ways to sew knits with a regular sewing machine, for example, you can make a zigzag stitch too.
And if you have problems with your home machine sewing knits check this tutorial about how to avoid puckering and ugly stitches on knits fabrics.
4. Close using the burrito method
We are going to apply the same method like the one we used to sew a scrunchie.
Leaving the right sides of the fabric “inside” you are going to wrap the inner layer of the band with the outer layer.
Pin.
Start sewing all the way, but leave at least 2” of the seam open.
Then pull the “tube” inside out.
5. Make an invisible stitch.
Using an invisible stitch close the open seam by hand.
Sew the closing knot right between the seams to make it less visible.
6. Optional* How to add a Knot to a simple Headband Sewing Pattern?
Take a piece of 1″ width for the regular size DIY headband and 1 ½” for the winter headband and sew the longest sides.
Turn inside out.
7. Wrap the knot
Use the previous piece to wrap the headband seams.
Make sure to fold the ends. And close with an invisible seam.
Finish by sewing the knot open ends.
To prevent it from moving, make a small stitch on each side of the knot grabbing one layer of the headband.
And that’s it!!
Now you have the perfect headband for all your outfits!
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How to make a headband
How to make a headband with stretch fabric easily and step-by-step.
Materials
- Less than 1/4 yard of knit fabric
- Matching Thread
- Hand Needle
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Measuring Tape
- Pair of Scissors
- Pins or sewing clips
Instructions
1. Measure your head.
Start by measuring the circumference of your head, take your tape measure, and wrap it around your head.
2. Make a Draft of your Pattern.
Cut a rectangle of fabric with these measurements: Circumference of head minus 1" (if stretched to 50%) or 1 1/2" (if stretched to 75%) times the width you want.
3. Sew the ends.
Fold this rectangle in half and use your Serger Machine to close off the smaller ends.
4. Close with the Burrito Method.
Leaving the right sides of the fabric “in” you are going to wrap the inside layer of the band with the outside layer, start sewing all the way, but leave at least 2” of the seam open.
Then pull the "tube" inside out.
5. Make a Blind Stitch.
Using a slip stitch, close the open seam by hand.
6. Optional* How to add a knot to a simple headband sewing pattern?
Take a 1″ wide piece for the regular size DIY headband and sew the long sides together.
Turn around.
7. Wrap the Knot.
Use the previous piece to wrap the seams of the headband and close with a blind seam.
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Can you please tell me what length of elastic and what width elastic you would use if you were just using elastic to make a scrunchie. I dont want to use a hair tie. I have looked and looked and I cant find the measurements for elastic. Am I just missing something sorry?
Hi Michele, Yes! You can use an 8″ long elastic band. Here is the no-sew scrunchies tutorial where I use elastic. This one was about how to make them with a hairband but I think the one I linked is the theory you are looking for.
D.