Sew Your Own Twisted Head Band
Check out this tutorial that explains how to sew a cotton twisted headband with an enclosed elastic at the back. This pattern has an stretchy back, it will not slide off your head. This DIY headband has nicely finished edges and no opening between the 2 straps. The headband can be worn opened out to create a wider style or you can smush it narrower. Wear it as you want: twist to the side, over your forehead, or to pull your hair back.
Last spring I bought a twist headband - turban style - for my daughter and it was too tight. You know, the headbands that give you a headache. So I decided to make her one. I took apart the store bought headband. I used it as a pattern to create a one that fits better. And then I made one for myself and one for a friend and now I’m sharing the pattern and this tutorial with you and hope you will have fun making and wearing your headband. I still find it so cool that you can choose your own material and personalise what you make... #ilovesewing 💙💚💛💜
The construction was a bit of a brain teaser for me. It took me a while to figure out how I had to sew the pieces together. But luckily I did, so here we go!
Gather the materials and tools to make a headband
Choices to make
If you want a wide headband with a finished width of 5”, make the strips 5 1/2’” wide. It’s easy to adjust, if you want something different. I used a medium weight cotton, but any cotton will do. You can also use knits, jersey or a viscose blend.
You will need
- 1/3 yard of fabric or a piece of 28 inch x 12 inch
- 4 inches of ½ inch wide elastic
Tools
- Elastic threader
- Safety pin
- Sewing machine, needle, matching threads, ruler, scissors or mat+rotary cutter, pins
10 Steps to Make the Twisted Headband
1. To cut the 2 pieces of for the main portion of the headband, first measure the head circumference of your headband victim to get the length of these strips right. I cut them 6” wide, but you can choose the width you like. Don’t forget to add ½ inch for the seam allowance.
Calculation for your head: circumference - 5 inches = length of 1 strip
If you don’t have a model at hand, you can use these measurements:
- For an adult head (23”): cut 2 strips of 18”
- For a child (21”): cut 2 strips of 16”
2. Cut the strip that will cover the elastic & cut the elastic. For this, you just need 1 piece of fabric: 2” wide x 10” long. Then cut your elastic as well. 4” long, if very stretchy elastic, you can make it shorter.
Product Tip: Fantastic Elastic
Since I have this fantastic elastic, I don’t have to worry anymore about having a stock of different widths. You can cut this elastic in both directions, and they won’t unravel. Truly amazing! Interested? You can find the fantastic elastic here
3. Sew the elastic tube: Fold the fabric strip for the tube in half, right sides together and sew along the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance (-- yellow line--). Flip the tube right side out.
You can do this with a safety pin. Just attach the pin to 1 edge, 1 layer of fabric, put it through the tube and pull.
If you want a nifty tool to help you turn tubes, check out the Tube Turner Set that we now have in our store.
4. Thread the elastic through the tube with a threader or a safety pin. Secure each end with a pin and sew a quick basting stitch to hold the elastic in place.
5. Fold the large strips in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Mark both large fabric strips as shown in the picture:
Place a mark:
1: In the middle on the raw edge
2: From the middle: 1 ½ inch to the left on the raw edge
3: From the middle 1½ to the right on the raw edge
I'm using heat erasable fabric markers to mark on my fabrics.
6. Stitch from mark 2 to 3 with ¼” seam allowance. Turn both strips right side out.
7. Take one strip, pin the opposite sides together, right side facing, and stitch with a ¼” seam allowance. Make a loop and sew side A to side B and side C to side D. It difficult to stitch all the way to the corners (finished edge) near the stitching you did in the previous step, It’s ok to have a very small opening. It won’t be seen once the headband is worn.
8. Now take the other strip and pull it through the opening you just created stitching strip 1. Pin and sew side A to B and C to D, right sides facing. Keep the first strip inside this one. Turn the headband right side out again.
9. Line up the raw edges of the elastic tube on top of the headband, raw edges together. Pin in place.
10. Fold the edge of the larger fabric piece over as shown in the picture, pin in place. Sew along the edge using a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Trim excess fabric and flip around the fabric, hiding the raw edge inside.
Flip main fabric piece around and repeat the steps to attach the other end of the elastic. And this is the last step. After this the twisted head band is ready to wear.
I hope you will enjoy this twisted head band as much as I do.
Looking for more headband inspiration? Check out our new tutorial for a fleece headband that can also be used as earwarmers.
Questions or suggestions? Don’t hesitate to send me an email: an@madamsew.com
And I’m still curious about what you are making! Share your makes in our Facebook group or on instagram with the #madamsew hashtag and inspire others!
And above all... Enjoy your sewing time!
An
Sewing aficionado and keen sewing blogger/vlogger.
An is Madam Sew’s dedicated creative brain, writing and filming insightful, inspirational content for the sewing enthusiast.
Madam Sew is an online sewing and quilting store. It carries Tools, Notions, Presser Feet, Essentials, Handy Helpers, Organization/Storage Items, and more for sewers and quilters. Plus, it has many manuals and free tutorial blogs to help increase your skills.
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