How to Make Synthetic Hair Scrunchies

Hair pieces such as scrunchies add height and volume to updos.

Synthetic hair scrunchies, or scrunchie wraps, are a more versatile option for people who want to add volume and height to their hair without the hassle and expense of getting extensions. The scrunchies are made using a variety of shades of synthetic hair in varying lengths, textures and finishes so that most hair colors and tastes are catered for. While synthetic hair scrunchies make creating glamorous updos much easier, they can be expensive, particularly if you only plan to wear the scrunchie on special occasions. Making a scrunchie at home can be a cost-effective way of getting the perfect scrunchie tailor-made to your tastes.

Things You'll Need

• Strip of material, 3 inches by 15 inches, in a similar color to your extensions
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• 2 hair extension wefts, 15 inches wide
• Pins
• Double thickness silk thread
• Needle
• Scissors
• Elastic, 1/2-inch by 5 inches
• Safety pin
• Hair scissors

Instructions

1. Fold the strip of material in half lengthways, right sides together. Press with the iron, then sew a 1/4-inch seam all the way along the long edge, leaving the short ends open. Turn the tube the right way out.

2. Pin one of the hair extension wefts along the length of the material tube with the hair falling away from the material. Pin the other weft along the length of the tube on the other side with the hair falling away from the material. You should now have a long, thin strip of material with the two hair wefts pinned along each side of its length and the hair pointing out to either side of the material.

3. Lay the material down horizontally so that the hair is running up from the top extension and down from the lower extension. Thread the silk thread onto the needle and tie a sturdy double knot in the end.

4. Sew the hair wefts to the tube of material by hand, ensuring that they are only sewn to one layer of the material so that the tube remains open. Push the needle through the material from inside the tube at the far right side so that it emerges just beneath the top strip of the lower hair extension. Take the thread over the weft strip vertically and push the needle back through the material to the inside of the tube, just above the weft. Push the needle back through the material slightly to the left of the first stitch and make another vertical stitch over the weft strip in the same way as before. Continue in this fashion along the length of the lower hair extension weft, then turn the piece around so that the top extension becomes the lower and stitch it to the material in the same manner.

5. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread it through the tube of material, gathering the tube along the elastic as you go. Pin and sew the ends of the elastic together with a 1/4-inch seam. Sew the seam back and forth several times to ensure the elastic is joined securely.

6. Pull the ends of the material tube together to cover the elastic inside and create a small overlap. Tuck the ends of the material in slightly to create a hem around the overlapped edges, then sew a 1/8-inch seam around the hemmed ends of the tube to close it.

7. Cut the hair extensions to your desired style using sharp hairdressing scissors and use as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy your extension wefts in a store rather than online to ensure the closest color and texture match possible.

• Leave some strands of hair longer than others on your scrunchie for a messy, chic look.

• Use curly extension wefts on your scrunchie for an easy, curled updo when worn.

References

• Ultimate Looks: Scrunchies and Hair Wraps

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Styles 101: Hair Pieces and Updos