How to Sew an Elastic Headband

Elastic headbands are easy to sew and they make great, inexpensive gifts for the holidays. This is a perfect sewing project for beginners and for teens who just want to look cool with little effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A long strip of fabric, 3-1/2" X 36"
• 1" wide elastic, 21" in length
• Sewing machine, needle and thread

1. Prepare all materials. Cut a long strip of fabric, 3-1/2" X 36". Cut 1" wide elastic to the length of 21". Prepare sewing machine.
2. Fold the fabric in half to make a tube, wrong sides facing out. Sew along side so that the tube measures 1-3/4" X 36". Use a safety pin to pull the fabric tube right side out.
3. Attach the safety pin to the elastic and pull elastic through the tubing. Pin both ends of elastic together, one end overlapping the other about 1/2". Sew elastic ends together.
4. Tuck in fabric edges, about 1/2". Sew headband opening closed with needle and matching thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Use different types of fabric to create different looks.
• Cut strips from unwanted t-shirts to create around-the-house headbands.
• You can also use 3/4" elastic. Just adjust the width of the fabric to fit.
• Sew buttons or add a brooch to headbands to dress them up.