Easy Hair bands

Making hairbands is an ideal way to use up some scraps of knit fabric. Most of my scraps are woven fabric, as that's what I prefer using, But over the years I've accumulated quite a few bits of knit - left over from the odd child's dress or skirt here, a pair of kids' biker shorts or leggings there, some maternity tops for my daughter. I do sew with knits, I just don't like it as much as sewing with woven fabrics. But there were plenty of pieces deserving to be used (or thrown out!) Here are just a few.

To find my recommended way of making hair bands like these, read on. 


Since none of us is able to go to the hairdresser at the moment, with lockdown, we are all in need to something to keep our hair out of our eyes!

But here's a much more attractive picture of two of my grand-daughters rocking the headband look.

There are lots of tutorials and videos on how to make headbands like this, here are the ones I found most useful. These are among some of my favourite sewing for children web sites.

Dana Made does very nice videos which are always clear and easy to follow. The only reservation I have with this, is that Dana leaves the turning hole in the cross seam. However she gives great tips on sewing knits, and makes a headband in the video. I think the method used by other people to leave a gap in the long seam is easier, especially The Melly Sews way. But you may also like the version shown by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.

All of them are pretty easy. You just need a piece of stretchy fabric abouy 18"-20" long, by about 5"-6" wide. the wider it is, the easier to sew and turn the cross seam, but trhe wider the3 band will be. First you clip the two long edges together, right sides together.

Then you sew along the length, and with the Melly Sews method which I found easiest, leave a gap to turn it through. (Seen below) Turn it right side out, and then turn again so the ends line up, making sure the gap is on the outside.  Then stitch all the way round the two ends forming a circle. That step has been completed below.

Next, you wrangle toe headband the right way out again, through the gap, pushing and pulling until it's all the right way out. You'll still have a little hole along the long seam, which is the turning gap.

So you then either slip stitch the gap closed (best), or if you are lazy or in a hurry for a headband as I was, just sew it closed on the machine, as close as possible to the edges.

Trail and error will tell you exactly how long to make them. The yellow one I'm wearing above is a little bit loose, but the knit fabric was very stretchy, with poor recovery. On the other hand, I made myself a 'smart' headband in plain navy, which had so little stretch it was tight on me and I had to donate that one to a grandchild! These below were all designed for the granddaughters. 

Anyway, an easy make, good scrap buster, and very useful at the moment!