Make Your Own Hairband

To create your own hair band, you will need some fabric that complements either your hair or one or more articles of your clothing, some ¼ inch ribbon style elastic, sewing scissors, a tape measure, at least a dozen stick pins, and a spool of corresponding thread. A crochet hook will be helpful, but is not absolutely required.

To begin, you need to measure around your wrist, loosely, just below your hand. Next, cut out a piece of fabric that is 2 inches longer than the circumference of your wrist, and a piece of elastic that is about 1 inch longer. The fabric should be about 1 ½ - 2 inches wide, but the elastic should be ¼ inch wide. Your finished band should be about ½ inch larger than the wrist measurement.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. The "wrong" side should be facing out. Lay the elastic ribbon along the edge opposite the fold. Pin one end of the elastic to either end of the fabric. The fabric should start to "bunch up" since it is longer than the elastic. Flatten it back out by pinning the elastic and fabric together again in between the original two pins, then again between each subsequent set of pins (basically, divide each pin section in half) until the elastic is stretched and the fabric is mostly flat.

Place the pinned rectangle under the sewing foot of the sewing machine, elastic side up. Sew the pieces together in a straight line, down the elastic. Remove the pins. The piece should bunch up again. Roll one end of the tube you've created down about ¼ inch and pin it. Sew around this to create a hem (you may need to remove part of your sewing machine bottom so the tube will fit around it). If you have one, slide the crochet hook into the tube and hook it around the opposite end, then pull the piece right side out. Slide the unfinished side into the opening on the hemmed side about ½ inch to create a circle. Pin this in place. Sew the two sides together in a straight line.

Now that the hair band is completed, if it seems too plain, you can paint designs on it, sew beads to it, or decorate it with glue and rhinestones.