Head Band Tutorial

I think headbands look a little odd on me since my face is so narrow but I couldn't resist trying to make some after purchasing one from Target for $6!!!   The thing is made of nothing and I couldn't believe it was that expensive.  I used some left over quilting fabric and 3/8 inch elastic.   So if I get really into them then maybe it will be worth buying some more "trendy" material so it wont be so "Aunt Jemima-ish".  But for now, these will work.

Materials:

18X4.5 inch fabric

7 inches of 3/8 elastic

Cut a piece of fabric 18 inches long and 4.5 inches wide.   Or if you want a thinner band then go smaller on the width.  Just double the width you want and add 1/2 inch for an inseam.  I was going for a 2 inch wide head band.  If your fabric has a distinct pattern (like the lines above) make sure you cut it straight or at least be purposeful in how you cut it.  I didn't want the line slowly ending in the middle of my head.

Fold the material in half, right sides together width wise and sew a 1/4 inch inseam.

Then fold it in half length wise.

After its been folded in half I laid my store bought band on top along the folded side sand traced the tapered edges. 

Keeping the band folding in half I cut about 1/4 inch away from my trace.  As you can see my headband is going to be longer than the store bought one so feel free to make it "fit" as you like.

Now sew up the cut out areas but leaving the ends still open.  

Turn your material right side out.  This is really hard for me.  I had to take out some of the seam for wiggle room.  Shaking it like an "inside out sock" does not work.  :)

 

 

Press open your seams.  Also, go ahead and turn your ends in and press so that no raw edges are showing. 

Now cut your elastic.  My store bought one was about 5.5 inches showing so I cut 7 inches for good measure.

Attach one end of the elastic by inserting it into the open hole at the end of your band.  Then sew over the opening several times.  Insert the other end and just baste so that you can see how it fits.   My was too loose so I took the basting stitch out and inserted more elastic until it fit like I wanted it to.  

 

Voila!  You have a fabric headband. 

 This fabric was kind of cool because one side shows the large white stripe with yellow flowers and the other has stronger yellow stripes.  Reversible! 

 

After making one I pumped out two more in a jiffy!