How to Make Hair Accessories for Dance Costumes

Bun covers serve as part of the costume and hold hair in place.

Leaving your hair down while you dance in a class or professional setting can be distracting and may even obstruct your view or concentration. Many dance companies require each dancer to put her hair up, often in a bun, so everyone looks uniform and to prevent problems from free-flowing long hair. However, dancers don't simply put their hair up; they often use hair accessories that match their costumes to dress up their hair. Instead of buying these hair accessories, make your own so they match your costume.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-inch elastic ribbon
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread
• 1/2 yard tulle
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Cut an 8-inch strip of elastic ribbon to create the band for the hair accessory.

2. Pull the elastic ribbon strip into a circle, overlapping the ends by 1/2 inch. Sew the ends together to create a circle of elastic.

3. Cut tulle to match the costume into 6-inch-by-1-inch strips. You need about 30 to 40 strips. If you are using more than one color, cut strips to equal 30 to 40 instead of the full amount of each color.

4. Fold each tulle strip in half so the strips are 3 inches long by 1 inch wide. Place the doubled-over tulle strip along the inside of the elastic band with the loop above the elastic band and the cut ends below it.

5. Pull the cut ends of the tulle strip up over the outside of the elastic band and feed them through the loop of tulle. Pull the ends tight to secure the tulle strip around the elastic band.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, alternating tulle colors every two or three strips if you are using more than one color until the entire elastic band is covered with tulle strips. Fluff the strips out to create a halo of tulle around the elastic band.

7. Cut a round piece of tulle about 3 inches in diameter if you require full coverage for your bun.

8. Sew the edges of the round piece of tulle into the elastic band to create a dome to cover your bun.

Tips & Warnings

• To add a ribbon bow to the hair accessory, cut a 10-inch piece of ribbon, tie it into a bow and sew it in place at the top of the hair piece.