Buttercream and a Sewing Machine: headband

I saw this cute headband last spring at Anthropologie (I know...it's taken me awhile to reproduce it...).

I thought the bow was cute - but it cost $18!

So, I knew right then I was going to try to make one. I think that I hit it spot-on!

First, let's get our supplies ready.

You will need: a headband (mine was plastic and came in a 4-pack for about $2), a hot glue gun, fray check, two strips of fabric, and double-sided fusible interfacing.

For your fabric you will need two pieces -

1. the main fabric that wraps around the headband (I am using light blue)- cut 1/2" x 44" (you will use more or less based on how close you wrap it)

2. the fabric for the bow (I am using a small flower print) - 5/8" x 15"

Get these two fabric pieces ready by squirting a little bit of fray check all the way down each of the long sides.

This is the best time to also trim any loose threads that are along any of the edges.

Next,

*Trim two - 1" pieces from your main fabric.

*Put a dot of glue on the front and back side of each end of the headband, and wrap the little piece around. This makes sure each of the ends are thoroughly covered.

*Starting at one end, place a dot of glue on the inside of the headband.

*Wrap the fabric around the end one time, making sure to get your starter fabric tucked in.

*Now, start to wrap the fabric around the headband. I usually put a dot of glue on the inside of the headband and wrapped the fabric around two times (making sure to always overlap the fabric, leaving no gaps). Then, I would put another dot of glue and wrap the fabric two more times. I tried to wrap the main fabric slightly angled. I continued this until I got all the way around the headband.

*I finished by wrapping the fabric around the other end, put a dot of glue on the inside, and then trimmed the excess fabric.

If your fabric isn't long enough to make it all the way to the end of the headband...

*Then, glue the end of the fabric on the inside of the headband.

*With another piece of fabric, glue it on the inside of the headband and continue in the same way all the way to the end.

Now, let's get the bow ready.

*With your 5/8" x 15" piece of bow fabric, place a piece of two-sided fusible interfacing covering only half of the bow (lengthwise).

*After ironing, remove the paper and iron the bow in half, lengthwise.

*Using a VERY small seam allowance, sew next to the raw edges of the bow fabric (3 of the 4 edges are raw).

Our last step is to attach the bow to the headband.

*First, fold the bow in thirds (like you would a brochure). Use your fingers to press the two folds.

*Then, put a dot of glue on the center of the bottom of the bow, and wrap your leftover main fabric around one time.

*Put a dot of glue on top of the headband where you would the bow to be, and place the bow on top.

*Wrap the fabric around the headband and the bow one time. On the inside of the headband, put a dot of glue and trim off the excess fabric.

There you go. Super cute!

Enjoy sewing (and gluing)!

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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!).