Scrap Buster: Five Simple DIY Hair Accessories

Rubyvale Road
by Rubyvale Road
8 Materials
$1
20 Minutes
Easy



Looking for a great way to use up some of that scrap fabric? These basic DIY hair accessories are the perfect solution. Check out my tutorial for some ideas for easy projects that can be done with just some scrap fabric and a few sewing notions.

Tools and materials:

  • Scrap material
  • Scissors
  • Fabric chalk
  • Elastic
  • Measuring tape
  • Pins
  • Safety pin
  • Sewing machine
Measure the fabric


No-Sew Frayed Linen Ribbon


Measure the fabric

Measure and mark a rectangle of fabric 55 centimeters (21.5 inches) long and 6 centimeters (2.5 inches) wide. 

Rip the fabric


Rip the fabric

Make a small cut, and then rip the fabric the rest of the way.

Cut the ends at an angle

Cut the ends

Cut an angle on both ends of the strip of fabric.

Fray the edges with a pin


Fray the edges

Use a pin to pull threads from the edges of the fabric to create frayed detailing. 

Roughen the edges with your fingers

Roughen the edges with your fingers.

Make DIY hair accessories


Tie it in your hair, and you’re done!

Cut a rectangle of fabric


Fabric Tie


Cut a rectangle and fold it in half

Cut a rectangle of fabric 55 centimeters (21.5 inches) long and 11.5 centimeters (4.5 inches) wide. Fold your rectangle in half.

Fold in half lengthwise


Fold again

Fold your rectangle in half lengthwise.

Measure from the short edge

Measure and mark

Measure 5 centimeters (2 inches) from the short edge.

Mark with fabric chalk


Mark a diagonal line from the 5 centimeter (2 inch) mark to the opposite corner.

Cut diagonally


Cut the ends

Cut along the diagonal line.

Cut through all the layers


Be sure to cut through all the layers.

Measure and cut again


Repeat

Measure, mark, and cut on the other end of the fabric, as well. 

Cut the other end


Pin the edges


Pin the edges

Unfold the fabric so you have two flat pieces laying right sides facing. Pin all the open edges together, leaving about a 4 centimeter (1.5 inch) gap unpinned along one long side.

Sew DIY hair accessories


Sew the edges

Sew all the way around, taking care not to stitch across the 4-centimeter gap.

Leave a 4-centimeter (1.5 inch) gap

Clip the inner corners

Clip the corners

On either end, make a shallow snip in the inner corners, taking care to stay in the seam allowance, and not to cut through the stitches.

Clip the outer corners


Cut an arrow shape in each outer corner to trim down the seam. 

Turn the fabric right side out

Turn the fabric right side out

Through the gap left in the stitching, pull the fabric through until the right side is facing out and the seams are hidden inside.

Close up the gap

Stitch up the gap

Top-stitch along the gap to close it up, and iron the fabric flat.

Completed fabric hair tie


Ready to go!

Cut a rectangle


Headscarf


Cut a rectangle

Cut your fabric into a rectangle. For reference, my rectangle was 140 centimeters (55 inches) long and 13.5 centimeters (5.5 inches) wide.

Hem the edges


Hem the edges

Sew a rolled hem all the way around by folding half a centimeter (a quarter-inch) down along the edge as you feed the fabric through the sewing machine.

Hem the edges again


Once you’ve sewn a half-centimeter (1/5 inch) hem all the way around, fold the edges down another half-centimeter (1/5 inch), and hem it again.

Iron the hem


Iron the hem

Press the hems flat.

Colorful headscarf


Voila!

 

Cut a rectangle of fabric


Scrunchie


Cut a rectangle

Cut your fabric into a rectangle. For reference, mine was 48 centimeters (19 inches) long and 8 centimeters (3 inches) wide.  

Cut the elastic


Cut the elastic

Cut a 25 centimeter (10 inch) piece of elastic.

Fold lengthwise and pin


Fold and pin

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise.

Leave a gap


Pin down the long edge, leaving a 5 centimeter (2 inch) gap about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the short edge on one side.

Sew the long edge


Sew down the long edge

Sew down the long edge, taking care not to stitch across the gap. Keep the short edges open.

Attach a safety pin


Attach a safety pin

Once the long edge has been sewn down, attach a safety pin to one end of the fabric tube.

Work the safety pin through the tunnel


Move the pin through the tube

Insert the pin into the end of the fabric tube, and work the fabric over it, pulling the pin toward the opening on the other side of the tube.

Stop when the safety pin is visible


When you can see the safety pin on the other side, stop pulling the pin. Don’t turn the fabric right side out yet.

Sew the ends together


Sew around the opening

Adjust the fabric at the opening of the tube so the raw edges are aligned with each other.

How to sew DIY hair accessories


Sew around the opening very carefully, lifting the presser foot and moving the fabric to make it around the tight circle while keeping it flat.

Pull the fabric through the gap


Turn the fabric right side out

Once the ends are sewn together, pull the fabric right side out through the gap left in the stitching on the side.

How to make DIY hair accessories


Insert the elastic 

Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic, and insert it into the gap in the stitching. Hold the unpinned end of the elastic in place at the opening in the stitching, and work the fabric over the pin, through the tunnel, until you can pull it through to the other side.

Sew the ends together

Sew the elastic

Sew the ends of the elastic together.

Close the gap


Close up the gap

Top-stitch across the gap to close it up.

Completed scrunchie


My new favorite!

Cut the fabric


Elastic Headband


Measure and cut the fabric

Wrap a strip of fabric around your head until it reaches three-quarters of the way around, and then cut the fabric at that point. 

Cut a rectangular shape


You can cut a regular rectangle, or create a shape that tapers at the end. 

Fold and pin the edges


Pin and hem the edges

Fold the edges down half a centimeter (a quarter of an inch) and pin it down.

Sew all the way around


Then sew all the way around the fabric.

Zigzag the raw edges

Prepare the elastic

Cut a 7 centimeter (2.5 inch) piece of elastic, and zigzag stitch the raw edges.

 

Make a fold

Fold the ends

Make a small pleat on one end.

Pin the elastic


Pin the elastic on

Pin one end of the elastic onto the folded fabric, and then sew it together. Sew back and forth a few times to make sure it’s secure.

Pin and sew the second side


Repeat

Repeat the folding, pinning, and sewing on the second side.

Completed headband


Pop it on your head. You’re done!


Let me know which of these hair accessories you like best.

Suggested materials:
  • Scrap material
  • Scissors
  • Fabric chalk
See all materials

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Comments
Join the conversation
 2 comments
  • Kat Kat on Apr 23, 2021

    All so cute, my fav is the fun orange headband, Hair happiness!!

    • Rubyvale Road Rubyvale Road on Apr 28, 2021

      Aw thank you!! Yes my favourite is the orange head band too. I think the fabric is so cute and head bands are so fun to wear!

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