TUTORIAL: Easy Headband

I have bangs that swoop towards my ear, and a lot of days I want to keep them from falling into my face. I have a couple of stretchy bands that go around my head, but some days I need something that looks a little bit nicer. There are a lot of great tutorials out there for how to make a headband, but I thought I would share with you how I like to do it :).

Measure around your head (where you would wear the headband). Then subtract 2" from this measurement. Cut a rectangle of fabric that length by 3.5". For example: My head is 22" around. I subtract 2", so I cut a rectangle of fabric 20" x 3.5".

Next, sew wrong sides together with a 1/4" seam allowance (if you would like a larger seam allowance, just add that to the width of your fabric before you cut).

It will look like this:

Turn it inside out.

And press with the seam in the middle of one side.

Next, turn in one end (so the raw edges are on the inside) and press.

Place your piece of elastic inside the two layers, in the middle.

Fold down the extra fabric on the top.

Fold up the extra fabric on the bottom.

Have you ever seen one of these tools? You can use 1, 2, or 3 of the layers under the back of your presser foot in order to help with sewing through really thick (or lots of layers) or fabric. I used 2 of the pieces. You could use a couple of small pieces of cardboard to help up the back of your presser foot if you don't have this tool.

Sew across ALL the layers (making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end).

Now attach the elastic on the other side. Fold the fabric in the same order.

Sew across the top of all of the layers again.

And, you're done! Try it on (don't judge my fuzzy hair - I was helping my brother-in-law move for a couple hours this afternoon - the moment when a good headband is needed!).

Now, make some more in every color of the rainbow...it looks like I still need to make one in purple.

Have fun!


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