How to Make Headbands & Barrettes
Headbands and barrettes help keep your hair orderly and out of your eyes and face. Headbands and barrettes are typically coordinated with the attire; little girls often appreciate frilly and whimsical hair accessories. Purchase plastic headband blanks and metal French clasp barrette blanks at craft or discount stores; fabric, elastic and elastic lace can be purchased at craft and fabric stores. Most headbands and barrettes can be made using simply a glue gun or needle and thread. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Elastic lace, 2 inches wide or wider by 16 inches long (adult)
- Scissors
- Sewing needle or sewing machine
- Thread
- Fabric rectangle, 3 inches by 24 inches
- Straight pins
- Elastic, 1 inch wide by 16 inches long (adult)
- 2 Safety pins
- Plastic headband blank
- Ribbon
- Glue gun
- Embellishments
- French clasp barrette blank(s)
- Craft or beading wire
Instructions
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Elastic Lace Headbands
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1
Fold a 2-inch (or wider) by 16-inch piece of elastic lace in half so the backside is facing out. (This size is for a preteen to adult head size.)
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2
Align the ends. Pin the ends to secure them.
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3
Use a needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew a straight seam across the ends using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Embellish the lace headband with a glue gun and bows, artificial flowers, buttons or other charms as desired.
Scrunched Fabric Headband
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4
Fold a 3-inch by 24-inch fabric rectangle in half vertically, with the inner sides of the fabric touching, to form a fabric "tube." Pin along the raw fabric edges. (This size is for a preteen to adult head size.)
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5
Sew a seam using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and straight stitch to form the fabric headband tube. Remove the pins. Turn the tube right side out.
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6
Connect a safety pin to one end of a 1-inch by 16-inch elastic piece. Connect the safety pin to one opening on the fabric tube. Connect another safety pin to the other elastic end. Insert the elastic through the fabric tube.
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7
Pull the elastic ends together, aligning them evenly. Remove the pins. Sew the elastic ends together.
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8
Fold the raw edges of the two fabric tube openings inside. Sew the ends of the tubes together. Arrange the gathered fabric so that it is gathered evenly.
Plastic Headband
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9
Measure the length and width of the plastic headband. Measure and cut a piece of ribbon the width of the headband and 1 inch longer than the headband.
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10
Fold one ribbon end under 1/2 inch, against the backside of the ribbon. Glue the ribbon's end to one end of the plastic headband. Squirt glue along the headband surface and press the ribbon to the headband. Fold the remaining end under 1/2 inch, and glue it to the headband.
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11
Embellish the headband as desired using a glue gun and artificial flowers, charms, buttons, bows, sequins, pom-poms or seasonal items.
French Clasp Barrettes
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12
Plan how you wish to decorate the metal French clasp barrette blank(s). French clasp barrettes have a locking mechanism beneath that holds hair more securely than plastic barrettes do. Blank barrettes feature a plain metal top surface ready to be decorated.
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13
Glue bows, charms, flowers or other embellishments to the surface of a metal French clasp barrette blank using a glue gun.
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14
Attach loopy bows around the barrette using craft or beading wire by folding grosgrain or satin ribbon like a fan, holding it against the barrette surface and wrapping wire around the the folds touching the barrette surface. Position the bow loops about 2 to 3 inches high.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use caution when operating glue guns; the extreme temperatures they reach may cause injuries or burns. Keep glue guns and electric cords out of the reach of children and away from pets.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jeff Randall/Lifesize/Getty Images
