Make a Headband

Do you want to add some interest to your hair while saving money? Whether you're more interested in fashion or pushing your hair out of your face, making your own headband is an easy way to solve your style problems. Learn how to make multiple variations of this tried and true hair accessory with the simple steps below.

Steps

Making a Headband out of Elastic and Ribbon or Trim

  1. Choose the ribbon. Craft stores are loaded with cute ribbons and trim. For this project, it is best to choose a ribbon or trim that is thin, measuring 1” wide or less. Ideally it will be the same width as the elastic you use.
    • If you choose ribbons or trim with embellishments like beads and sequins, make sure that they are only on one side of the ribbon. This way, it won’t get caught in your hair.
    • When possible, choose trim and ribbon that contains a bit of elastic in the fabric to make wearing more comfortable. You can use elastic-free ribbon with no issues though.
  2. Find the right elastic. Most fabric and craft stores offer spools of elastic in different colors and widths.
    • Choose an elastic ribbon that is close to the color of your hair (typically the choices are black or white) and measures less than 1” wide.
  3. Cut the pieces to size.
    • Wrap the ribbon you’ve chosen around your head from the top of your forehead to the nape of your neck, or where you would like your headband to sit.
    • Subtract five inches from this total number, and then cut the fabric.
    • Then, cut four inches of elastic band.
    • You want to leave an inch off the total measurement of elastic so that the headband will sit tight enough to prevent sliding off. If you want a tighter headband, you can use less elastic than aforementioned.
    • If your ribbon or trim does not have any elastic in it whatsoever, consider reducing the total measurement of ribbon and adding a bit of length to the elastic. This will increase the comfort level of your headband and keep it from falling off.
  4. Sew the ribbon and elastic together. Use a needle and thread to create a small seam at the meeting of the two materials. Tie a knot at the edge of the fabric to finish the headband.
  5. Wear your new headband. You can choose to layer it underneath your hair or wear it in the now-popular bohemian style wrapped over the forehead.[1]

Making a Turban Headband

  1. Find two fabric headbands. Most department and beauty supply stores have cheap fabric headbands measuring 2”+ in width. These are typically made out of a stretchy, jersey material that is perfect for this project. Find two headbands that match the aforementioned criteria and gather a needle and thread as well.
  2. Cut your headband. In order to create the turban effect appear, you will be intertwining your two fabric headbands. Find the width-wise seam on each headband. On one of your headbands (it doesn’t matter which one) completely cut through the fabric along this seam.
  3. Layer the pieces. Take the headband that you just cut, and put in through the center of your other headband. Lay them flat on a tabletop, so that they are perpendicular to each other in a large “T” shape.
  4. Sew the seams. Take the two tail pieces of the cut headband and wrap them back together, forming a loop connected to your first headband. Re-sew the seams back along where you originally cut the fabric.
  5. Finish the headband. You should now be left with two connected headband loops.
    • Making sure that they are both laying flat (no twists or knots), place them parallel to each other on a flat table top, with their width-wise seams lining up at the bottom.
    • Then, sew the two headbands together through the center of the fabric along the two seams.
  6. Your headband should now be finished! Slip the whole thing over your head with the “knot” on the top of the turban placed above your forehead.[2]

Making a Braided T-Shirt Headband

  1. Get an old t-shirt. Find a shirt that is relatively large and made out of a stretchy jersey-like fabric. If you don’t have one on hand, you can purchase one meeting these criteria from thrift stores for very cheap.
  2. Cut the fabric into strips.
    • Measure the length around your head from just above your forehead to the nape of your neck. Use this measurement to cut six pieces of fabric of the same length and about 1” wide from your t-shirt. Cut an additional piece that is 3” wide and ⅓ the circumference of your head.
  3. Weave the fabric.
    • Tie the six 1” strips together in a knot at one end.
    • For the easiest weaving, tape the end to a table or your thigh as you work. Then, begin weaving by laying the strips out flat and moving the strip on the right over and under all the remaining strips until it is on the left side.
    • Move each additional strip from the right side to the left by putting it over the top and underneath all the pieces of fabric.
    • Tighten the pieces as you weave by pulling on them when they reach the left side. It will appear slightly bunched when you begin, but will flatten out as you continue the weaving pattern.
  4. Finish weaving the strips. When you get to the end of your weaving, tie all six strips together in another knot at the end.
  5. Complete your headband. The completed woven strip will have shrunk to be about ⅔ of the total distance around your head, and needs to be elongated. To do this, you will take the additional piece of fabric cut to 3” wide and attach it to the braided section. Sew the shorter/wider piece to the ends of your braid with a needle and thread.
  6. Voila! Your headband is now complete.[3]

Decorating a Hard Shell Headband

  1. Wrap your headband in fabric. Measure the width of your hard headband, and then choose a piece of fabric that is twice as wide and equally as long. Cut the fabric into a rectangle with those measurements, and wrap it around the hard headband, attaching on the underside with glue. Tuck the ends of the fabric to create smooth tips.
  2. Cover your headband in yarn or string. With so many lovely shades of yarn and embroidery floss available, find a few you like and put them to use on your headband. Coat the entire headband in a thin layer of glue. Then, begin at the inside bottom end of one of the headband pieces, and wrap your yarn or string in tight rings around the headband. Continue until the entire headband has been covered, and then cut the excess and seal it with an extra dab of glue.
  3. Add a beaded applique or bunch of feathers. Choose a pretty brooch, fabric applique, or grouping of feathers and decide on the perfect location for them on your headband. Then, use hot glue to attach them on-spot. Easy as cake - you’re finished![4]
  4. Finished.

How to Make a Headband out of a Scarf

  1. Choose your scarf. Find a square scarf of a pretty fabric; you can use any material you would like, although cotton based tends to be more slip-proof than silk or satin scarves. The larger the scarf (total area, not longer), the easier it will be to tie.
  2. Fold your scarf.
    • Lay your scarf out flat on a table, so that it is at an angle in a diamond shape. Fold the scarf in half to create a large triangle. Then, fold the pointed end to the center of the longest side of the triangle.
    • Fold this piece completely in half, so that you are left with a long rectangular piece of fabric.
  3. Wrap the scarf around your head. Pick up the two ends of the scarf making sure that it remains folded and flat, and wrap it around your head so that the tail ends are being held above your forehead.
  4. Tie the scarf. Take the two ends and tie them in a secure knot above your hairline. Do this twice (in a traditional double-knot) so that the knot won’t come undone over the day. Tuck the ends underneath the remaining scarf that is wrapped around your head.
  5. Enjoy your simple, pretty new hair wrap![5]

Making Other Styles of Headbands

  1. Make a Bow Headband. This is perfect for a day you want to add a girly look to your favorite outfit; simply use your favorite fabric scraps and a hard headband to form a pretty headband with a bow. Feel free to adjust the size and number of bows to your liking.
  2. Make a Flower Headband. These floral headbands have become very popular with a rise in indie fashion. Learn how to create a headband that gives the illusion of a halo of flowers with these simple directions.
  3. Create a hippie headband. If your headband is less for utility and more for style, try making a cute hippie headband that wraps around your forehead. This style secures your hair to your head while adding a unique accessory to accentuate your face.
  4. Make a Sparkly Headband. To add a bit of glam and glitz to your hair, use these step-by-step directions to create a pretty sparkly headband. You could use glitter, sequins, or beads to make your hair shine.
  5. Knit a Skinny Headband. If you love to knit and want to keep frizzy hair out of your eyes, combine your talent and desire to create a knitted headband. Choose any color you like, and spend a little time making your own knitted headband.
  6. Make a headband from paper. Use a piece of paper and measure it around your head. Decorate it with flowers, bows, animals, patterns, etc. Glue or staple it in a headband shape. Wear as needed.



Tips

  • Look at headbands for sale in your favorite stores for inspiration before creating your own.
  • Use scraps of fabric or ribbon before searching out new supplies to save yourself time and money with your headband-making project.
  • Wear your headband on days that your hair may be messy or dirty to give a pretty look to bad hair.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/crafty-creations-diy-headband
  2. ↑ http://twitchvintage.blogspot.ca/2010/10/get-your-joan-collins-on-turban.html
  3. ↑ http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/06/repurposing-tshirts-into-5-strand-braided-headbands.html
  4. ↑ http://purplemagnolia.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/how-to-make-your-own-hard-headbands/
  5. ↑ http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/7/13/summertime-hair-wraps.html

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