Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Scissors
Iron
Sewing machine
Lace
Fringe
Beads
Appliqués
In the strictest sense, hijab refers to the modest dress worn by women, including the headscarf and loose clothing covering everything but the hands. However, in English-speaking countries, hijab has come to refer exclusively to the headscarf, known in Arabic as the khimaar. While the method of wrapping the hijab and even its size vary by culture and personal taste, there are no religious restrictions on design. As long as the hijab or the combination of the hijab and the under scarf cover the hair, ears and neck, use the hijab to express your personal style.
Step 1
Measure the width and length of your favorite hijab. If you want to experiment, hijabs vary in width, from 20-to-30 inches wide and 60-to-90 inches in length.
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Step 2
Add one inch to the width and length of your desired dimensions to account for the hem. For example, if you decide to make a hijab that is 20 inches by 60 inches, you will actually cut the material to 21 inches by 61 inches.
Step 3
Purchase your favorite fabric. Cotton blends will be easiest to work with. Silks, polyesters and tulles slide and may bunch or pick in a sewing machine.
Step 4
Cut the fabric to the dimensions, calculated in Step 2.
Step 5
Lay the fabric right-side down on the work surface.
Step 6
Fold over a half inch of fabric along the long edge of one side of the fabric, and iron it flat. Work slowly, and keep the line as straight as possible.
Step 7
Repeat for the other long edge and then the two ends.
Step 8
Sew the hem in place with a sewing machine. Work around the entire hijab.
Step 9
Add lace, fringe or beaded embellishments to one or more of the edges. Depending on how you prefer to wrap your hijab, these embellishments may frame your face or shoulders.
Step 10
Add iron-on appliqués to create sparkle or lacy designs on otherwise plain fabrics.
Tip
Thin silks and transparent tulles will require the use of a full under-scarf to cover your hair and neck or the combination of a bonnet and turtleneck, since modesty dictates that you not wear transparent clothing that reveals the body. For a versatile hijab, add a strip of hook-and-eye tape along the underside of the hijab around your forehead. Cut different colors of lace or beaded embellishment, and attach them to the opposite side of the hook-and-eye tape. You can switch out different embellishments, depending on your mood and outfit, giving you two or more designs from one hijab.