How to Make Twist Turbans With a Pattern

Turbans are often used at spas.

Get that glamorous film star look by making your own turban. A turban stays in place better than a towel to keep hair dry while taking a bubble bath or over wet hair after a shower. A reusable turban pattern is the perfect way to turn pretty, single towels found on sale at your favorite home goods store into turbans for yourself or for gifts. Skip the hemming step and make turbans more quickly with the towel's finished edges.

Things You'll Need

• Thin terrycloth or other absorbent fabric, 24 by 36 inches
• Piece of graph paper with 1-inch squares, 24 by 36 inches
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• 4-inch length of ½-inch wide flat elastic
• Sewing machine and thread to match fabric
• Clothes iron

Instructions

1. Create the turban pattern on the graph paper. Count 32 squares along the long edge of the graph paper and place a mark with the pencil at both the beginning and the end of the count. Count the squares from left to right and bottom to top and mark the following points with a dot: 1, 6; 2, 8; 3, 9; 4, 9.25; 5, 9.5; 10, 9.25; 13, 9; 16, 8.5; 18, 8; 21, 7; 24, 6; 28, 4. Sketch a long curve connecting the dots. Cut out the pattern.

2. Cut out the pattern pieces. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Place the straight edge of the turban pattern on the long side edges of the fabric and pin in place. Cut the fabric along the pattern and separate the two fabric pieces.

3. Pin the pattern pieces together. Place one pattern piece right side up on the work surface. Fold the elastic in half, matching the ends. Then match the cut ends of the elastic with the cut edge of the fabric and pin in place about five inches up from the straight edge along the large end of the curve. Place the other pattern piece right side in over the first piece and pin together.

4. Sew the pattern pieces together. Set the sewing machine to a wide zigzag stitch with about eight stitches per inch. Sew along the curved edges of the fabric pieces removing pins as you encounter them and sewing down the elastic loop.

5. Hem the bottom edge if not using a towel for the turban. Set the sewing machine to a straight stitch, turn under the bottom edge ¼-inch and press. Topstitch near the pressed fold. Turn the turban right side out.

6. To wear the turban, bend forward at the waist and let your head hang down. Place the large end of the turban on the back of your head with the elastic loop at center back and the tapered end hanging down in front over any hair. Twist the tapered end several times, stand up, and insert the point through the elastic loop at the back of your head.

References

• Thrifty Fun: One-Seam Bath Towel Turban
• Sewing and Craft Alliance: Simple Hems

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Retro Sewing: Free Sewing Instructions