How to Sew Headbands

You can never have too many headbands. The best part about making your own headband is that you can make one to match an outfit you have. If you're a novice sewer, a headband is a good place to start because it's a simple project, one well suited for someone with little sewing experience. The elastic attached to the back is covered with matching fabric, so it fits comfortably and looks well-made.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap fabric
• Ironing board
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• 4 1/2 inches of elastic

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of fabric 2 1/2 inches wide by 17 inches long. Lay the fabric on an ironing board with the outside face down.

2. Fold the edges of the fabric over to the back side 1/4 inch around. Iron well to crease the fold. Fold the fabric in half and iron along the fold. Place a straight pin every 3 inches.

3. Sew a straight stitch 1/8 inch from the long open edge using a sewing machine or needle and thread. Sew a straight stitch 1/8 inch from the folded edge to give the headband a uniform appearance.

4. Cut a piece of 1 inch wide elastic into a 4 1/2 inch length. Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide by 6 inches long.

5. Place the fabric on an ironing board, upside down. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and iron along the crease. Place straight pins every couple of inches to hold the fabric together.

6. Sew a straight stitch 1/8 inch from the long open edge using a sewing machine or needle and thread. Turn the tube rightside out.

7. Slide the elastic inside the fabric tube, leaving 1/2 inch of fabric at one end with no elastic inside. Sew along this piece of material to close it. Push the elastic into the other end, leaving 1/2 inch of fabric at that end with no elastic, then sew this end of the material closed.

8. Place each of those little tails at the end of the elastic into each end of the headband. Sew along the width of the headband to hold the elastic in place.