How to Make Headbands

A simple headband works in many situations.

Headbands are fashionable, but it can be difficult to find a headband exactly to your taste. Luckily, you can make headbands while having fun. Many headbands don't involve any sewing. A simple headband starts with a ribbon that fits around your head. Make the ribbon longer to tie it off attractively, add beads or buttons or even other ribbons to add color and texture to your design.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun (optional)
• Sewing elastic (optional)
• Simple thin plastic headband (optional)
• Sequins (optional)
• Glitter pen (optional)
• Paint pen (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a tie-around headband simply and easily using just a simple piece of ribbon. Pull a ribbon around your head and tie it in a bow at the nape of your neck. Let the long ends of the headband run down the top of your neck or cut off the ends of the ribbon if you do not want the ribbon to show beyond the headband. For added flair, tie the headband on the side of your head (under your ear) instead of by the nape of your neck.

2. Create a triple-colored tie around headband. Follow the direction in Step 1, but instead of just using one ribbon, braid three thin ribbons together. If you are wearing an outfit with a few distinct colors, this is a great way to tie your whole look together.

3. Create an easy elastic headband. Take a piece of elastic and pull it around your head until the elastic is snug and a bit tight, then tie the elastic at the nape of your neck in a bow or knot. With a pen or marker, mark the elastic where the elastic meets the bottom of each ear. Measure the length of the elastic from one mark to the next and cut the ribbon about an inch longer than the length measured. Tuck an inch of ribbon under at each end of the elastic. Use a hot glue gun to secure the ribbon in place, dabbing glue at both ends and along the elastic. This also ensures that the ribbon does not fray at the ends. Press the ribbon onto the elastic. Decorate the headband with sequins, glitter, paint and bows, as you prefer.

4. Create an inexpensive decorative plastic headband with a basic plastic headband that has no decorations, ribbon or material covering. Run a piece of fabric ribbon over the length of the headband. Cut the ribbon with scissors one inch beyond the length of the headband. Tuck an inch of ribbon under one side of the headband and secure it with a glue gun. Using the glue gun, continue with the side glued to the headband and glue the ribbon to the top of the headband all across the length. When you reach the end of the headband, tuck the remaining ribbon underneath and secure with the glue gun. Decorate as you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun when you make headbands! Experiment with various styles, textures and types of ribbon.

• Use various types of ribbon to make headbands including lace ribbon, velvet ribbon, satin ribbon and more. Try using shoe laces or gift wrapping ribbon if you want to be especially creative.

• Be very careful with the hot glue gun. Do not let children operate it alone.

References

• Saveoncrafts: How to Decorate a Bridal Headband