3 Easy Ways to Make Cute DIY Fabric Headbands Out of Fabric Scraps

Meera Kaneria
by Meera Kaneria
8 Materials
$5
5 Minutes
Easy

In this tutorial, we are going to make a DIY fabric headband. In fact, we won’t just be making one headband, I’m going to show you how to make three different types!


You can go out and buy fabric for this project, but I’m going to be using leftover fabric that I have from other projects. This is a great way to use up those fabric scraps that you otherwise might just throw away.

Tools and materials:

  • Fabric
  • Headband 
  • Glue gun (or fabric glue)
  • Elastic
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Pencil


Headband 1 - Bow headband

Fabric measurements for the DIY fabric headband

1. Cut the fabric

For the first headband, start by cutting out three rectangles, one measuring 6x50cm (2.4x19.7 inches) and the other two measuring 6x12cm (2.4x4.7 inches).


One of the smaller rectangular pieces should be a different fabric from the other two pieces.

Folding and sewing the fabric

2. Sew the large piece

Take the largest piece, fold it lengthways and sew the long side. When done, turn the fabric inside out so that the stitching is on the inside. Set it to one side.

Sewing the square piece of fabric for the bow

3. Sew a small piece

Take the smaller piece that is a different fabric from the other two and sew the open sides.

Turning the fabric inside out

4. Turn inside out

Next, take the scissors, make a small cut in the center and then use it to turn the fabric inside out.

Folding and sewing the fabric

5. Sew the third piece

Take the third rectangle, fold it in half lengthways, and stitch the long side. Then, turn it inside out.

Making a bow for the DIY fabric headband

6. Create the bow

Place the square piece of fabric on top of the long piece and make a stitch in the center of the two.


Then, pinch the square piece in the middle to create a bow shape. Proceed to take a thread and wrap it around.

Wrapping fabric around the center of the bow

7. Wrap fabric around the center

This step is optional. You can take a piece of fabric that is the same design as your bow and roll it to create a thin rectangle shape. Then wrap it around the center of your bow and tie it up at the back.

Sewing the elastic into the DIY fabric headband

8. Sew the last piece

Now, take your last section of fabric. Insert the elastic inside and stitch one of the ends. Then, stretch the elastic to the other end of the fabric and sew that end.

Connecting the ends of the elastic and headband

9. Connect the two pieces

To finish, you just have to sew the elasticated section to the main section. Cut off any extra bits of elastic, and your headband is ready!

Cute DIY fabric headband with a bow

Here is the finished look! I love how the bow is so big and voluminous. This headband is a really cute accessory.


Headband 2 - Wrap headband

Fabric pattern for the headband

1. Cut the fabric

For the next headband, you need two pieces of fabric measuring 6x50cm (2.4x19.7 inches) and one piece that is 6x12cm (2.4x4.7 inches).

Sticking the fabric pieces together

2. Stick the pieces in half

Fold all the pieces in half lengthways and stick them down with glue. When done, turn all of the pieces inside out.

Looping the long pieces of fabric in a "+" shape

3. Loop the long pieces

Take the two long pieces of fabric and place one on top of the other to form a plus sign. Then fold one side over the other as shown and then fold the two other sides to create a loop.

Inserting elastic into the DIY fabric headband

4. Add the elastic

Next, take the smaller piece of fabric, insert the elastic inside it and repeat the process that we did with the first headband to attach the elastic.

Joining the ends of the elastic together

5. Join the pieces together

To finish, attach the elasticated section to the main part by sewing it to both sides, and your headband is ready!

Wrap-style DIY fabric headband

This is such a classic style, and it was so easy to make. I like the look of the two pieces crossing over in the center.


Headband 3 - No-sew

Knotting the fabric for the headband

1. Cut and knot the fabric

This is the easiest headband of the three. Take a piece of fabric that measures 6x50cm (2.4x19.7 inches) and tie a knot in the center.

Marking the knot

2. Mark the knot

Next, draw a mark on either side of the knot and then undo it.

Gluing the sides of the headband together

3. Glue the sides

Now open the rectangle up and glue both of the long sides, leaving out the section between the marks that you made.

Tying another knot with the fabric

4. Tie the knot again

Next, flip the fabric inside out and make a knot again.

How to make a fabric headband

5. Insert the headband

To finish, insert your headband inside the fabric through the small opening that we created earlier. Fold the ends and stick them together with glue and your headband is ready!

DIY fabric headband

This is a great way to dress up a plain hairband!


How to make DIY fabric headbands

I hope you enjoyed those three DIY fabric headbands that are all super simple to make and help you to use up your fabric scraps. Let me know which style is your favorite!

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric
  • Headband
  • Glue gun (or fabric glue)
See all materials

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