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DIY accessories

How to Make a Fabric Hair Band: 4 Sewing Methods

Choose an elastic-backed, reversible, wide covering, or stretch-knit fabric hair band, then follow measurements designed for that specific construction.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
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To make a fabric hair band, choose a construction that suits the coverage and fit you want: a woven band with an elastic insert, a reversible tube, a wide covering band, or a stretch-knit band. The measurements below belong to their respective tutorials; they are not universal headband sizes.

Choose a construction

Style How it is made Fit and coverage
Woven band with elastic insert A fabric band joins to a separate elasticated section. BurdaStyle’s method uses 15 mm elastic. The elastic insert gathers at the back; follow the tutorial’s pattern for the band dimensions.
Reversible tube Two coordinating fabric pieces are sewn into a tube and attached to elastic at the ends. Elastic length varies with head size; the fabric provides two sides to wear.
Wide covering band A larger main panel is joined with a separate elastic casing. Its wider panel covers more hair than a narrow band.
Stretch knit A knit strip relies on its stretch and recovery rather than a separate elastic insert. Comfort depends on using a knit with good recovery and a stitch that stretches.

Gather tools and materials

For a basic woven band with an elastic insert, prepare fabric, thread, 15 mm elastic, fabric scissors and a safety pin to guide the elastic through its casing. BurdaStyle’s DIY Fabric Hairband uses either 120 cm of pre-folded 2 cm bias tape or a 35 by 40 cm cotton scrap cut with its pattern. The pattern includes 1 cm seam allowances.

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For a reversible band, the Montana State University Extension / Lewis and Clark County guide calls for two coordinating fabric scraps at least 4 by 15 inches and 1/2-inch elastic 6–9 inches long, depending on head size. Its Reversible Headband instructions taper the band from about 4 inches at the center to 2.5 inches at the ends.

A wide covering band is a separate project, not simply a larger version of the same pattern. SewGuide’s pictured approach specifies a 16 by 12 inch main piece, a 3 by 12 inch casing piece and a 6-inch elastic piece; use those dimensions with that tutorial’s construction. See How to make Fabric HAIR BANDS.

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For a knit band, choose knit fabric with good stretch and recovery. Evelyne Patterns recommends a stretch needle; a straight stitch may break when the fabric stretches and can restrict the band’s give. See Free Tutorial: Sew a Hair Headband.

Sew a reversible tube-style band

  1. Cut two coordinating fabric pieces at least 4 by 15 inches. Shape each so it is about 4 inches wide at the center and 2.5 inches at the ends, following the extension guide’s taper.
  2. Place the pieces right sides together and sew along both long edges with a 1/4-inch seam, leaving the ends open.
  3. Turn the tube right side out and press it, keeping the seam edges neat.
  4. Cut 1/2-inch elastic 6–9 inches long, choosing within that tutorial’s range according to head size. Secure one end of the elastic at each open end of the fabric tube.
  5. Optionally topstitch the ends to finish and reinforce them.

Make a woven band with an elastic insert

BurdaStyle’s instructions use either the pre-folded bias tape or cotton-and-pattern route described above. Prepare the pattern and fabric, sew the elastic tunnel, then use a safety pin to guide the elastic through it and secure the elastic. Sew the long headband pieces and attach the elasticated section between their ends, following the tutorial’s pattern and seam allowances. The elastic insert lets the back gather while the woven band forms the visible length.

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Adjust fit without guessing

Elastic length and band dimensions depend on the chosen pattern and head size. In the reversible method, the guide gives a 6–9 inch elastic range rather than one fixed length. Avoid treating the wide-band tutorial’s 6-inch elastic piece or BurdaStyle’s 15 mm elastic width as universal specifications: one is a piece length for a particular project, and the other is a width for a different construction.

If the band feels too tight, revise the elastic length for your next version; if it slips, shorten the elastic modestly. Keep the band comfortable and secure rather than pulling it tight enough to cause pressure. Preserve the pattern’s seam allowances when changing fabric dimensions so the finished band does not become unexpectedly narrower.

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When to use knit instead of woven fabric

A knit band can avoid a separate elastic insert because stretch in the material supplies the give. That only works well when the knit recovers after stretching. Use a stretch needle and a stitch suitable for stretch fabric; Evelyne Patterns cautions that a straight stitch may break and reduce the band’s stretch. Woven cotton and bias tape do not substitute directly for a recovery-focused knit pattern.

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