How to Make a Knit Stretch Headband

Headbands keep hair out of your face when you're active.

Using knit fabric to make a headband is a good choice, since many types of knit have enough stretch to easily go over your head and remain in place. Knit fabrics have varying degrees of stretch and absorbency, and you have many choices for color, design and texture. Sewing your own headbands is easy and you do not even need to use a pattern, although some sewing tools are useful to complete the project.

Things You'll Need

• Stretchy knit
• Tape measure
• Marker or chalk (optional)
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Large safety pin
• Ironing board
• Iron

Instructions

1. Check the amount of stretch the knit has before using it for the headband. When searching for knit to use, choose interlock knits, knitted terrycloth, Lycra and spandex, although the synthetics like spandex and Lycra do not absorb water as well as cotton knits. Knits to avoid are single or double knits, velour or sweatshirt knit, since these fabrics do not have as much elasticity as the other types mentioned. If you are buying the knit, purchase the smallest amount you can since it takes just 4.5 inches of length to make a headband.

2. Use the tape measure to measure the circumference of your head. The instructions in this article are for a woman's headband, which is 17 inches. If your head is larger or smaller, you need to determine the size to make the headband. You can hold a piece of the knit you choose around your head to see what feels comfortable, adding 1/2 inch for the seams. Place a pin in the fabric to mark the length.

3. Lay the fabric on the work surface and measure the length you need for the headband, whether it’s 17 inches, shorter or longer. Mark this measurement with a marker, chalk or a pin.

4. Cut the width to the measurement you made. Most headbands are 2 inches wide, so you need to cut the band so that it is 4 1/2 inches wide. Make several other marks to guide you when cutting across the fabric.

5. Fold the long sides of the headband piece in half with the right sides of fabric on the inside. Sew a 1/4-inch seam using a narrow zigzag stitch setting on the machine. You will have a tube that you need to turn inside out by using a large safety pin attached to one end of a single layer of fabric. Start pushing the safety pin inside the tube until you reach the opposite end and pull the tube inside out. Fold the headband so that the seam lies in the middle of the back of the headband.

6. Set up the ironing board and heat the iron to a temperature safe for the knit you use. Press the headband.

7. Create the back seam by sewing the two ends together, with the right sides facing the inside. Backstitch or double stitch the seam to provide reinforcement for the seam so that it does not pull out.

References

• Altered Cloth: How To Make a Headband, Version 5: Stretch Jersey Headband