How to Do a Braided Headband

Headbands might be worn for a variety of practical reasons. If you are growing out your bangs, a headband can keep unwanted hair off your face. If you prepare meals, the headband can help prevent hair from falling into the food. Sometimes headbands are worn as a fashion statement. There are many possible designs for headbands, but braided ones are particularly attractive as they add extra height at the crown of the head. Headbands can be purchased in specialty stores or online, but they can be made at home in many more colors and patterns.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Fabric
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Large safety pin
• 1-inch wide elastic

Instructions

1. Hold one end of the tape on the top of your head close to your hairline. Bring the other end around behind your ears and under the hair at the back of your neck and back up the other side behind the other ear, as if it were a headband. Note the measurement. Cut three strips of fabric about two inches wide, and one and a half times the length you measured. For example, if your head measurement was 18 inches, 18 + 9 = 27 inches.

2. Fold the first strip of fabric lengthwise so the two long edges are aligned. Pin in place. Using a straight stitch on the sewing machine, stitch a narrow seam one quarter inch from the edges.

3. Pin the safety pin into the fabric at one of the short ends and close it. Insert the head of the pin into the tube of fabric to turn the fabric in on itself. Guide the pin through the tube of fabric until the head of the pin emerges at the other end of the tube and the right side of the fabric is now out. Remove the pin.

4. Smooth the fabric tube down and iron it flat. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the remaining fabric strips. Lay all three strips on a flat surface with the short ends of the strips aligned. Pin the strips together about a half an inch from the edge. Braid the strips by crossing the strands over each other. Always cross one of the outside strands over the center strand. Alternate right and left sides as you form the crossover. Braid the strands tightly all the way to the ends of the fabric. Secure in place with another pin.

5. Place the braided fabric around your head and mark the spot where the ends overlap. Cut off the excess fabric from one of the ends so there is no overlap. Remove an additional two inches from one of the ends and secure the strands with a pin so they do not unravel. Using the sewing machine, stitch securely across both braided ends, about a half an inch from the edges.

6. Cut a piece of wide elastic about two and a half inches long. Sew the ends of the elastic to the ends of the braided fabric leaving about a quarter inch seam at both ends. Try on the head band. If it does not fit snugly enough, stitch another seam on only one end close to the first seam, about a quarter inch wider than than the first one. If you need to make the band tighter, repeat on the other end.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different widths for the fabric strips. Wider strips will produce much bulkier headbands.

• Headbands may be color-coordinated to match the rest of your outfit or be constructed in a contrasting color or design.

• If made out of terry-cloth, they can be used as sweatbands during exercise

• Always use caution when working with scissors and pins in order to avoid injury.

References

• The Chic Fashionista; Fashion Headbands; 2022.
• LayHands.com; The Most Useful Rope Knots; Decorative Knots; Braid Knot; Dave root; 2005.

Resources

• Sewing.org; Your Guide to Successful Sewing.