Scarf Headband Tutorial

Since last winter when I got all excited about making scarf headbands I've wanted to make a tutorial for you all. I have a bunch up in my Etsy shop. I'll be honest, I haven't sold any since I first opened the shop because I got lazy and didn't advertize and really go all out. But the shop is there and I can always get it going again. Enough about the shop though, lets get on with this tutorial!

First find a piece of fabric that you love. I used a light weight quilting cotton. It needs to be 35-44 inches long. I usually use the selvedge-to-selvedge measurement. This piece of fabric was 44" wide.

Get your iron heated up and iron out all the wrinkles.

Then mark or pin and cut the fabric so it is 6 inches wide. Note: I like to make my scarf headbands just under 3 inches wide. More then that and it's too wide. Feel free to make it smaller though if you like.

You'll end up with a long strip of fabric that is 6"x44".

Now test out the length of the fabric on your head to make sure it's not too long. Just tie it around your head and check it out in the mirror. If you need to cut off some length do so now.

Next you'll want to fold the fabric in half matching up the edges and press it flat. This is important so that you end up with a head band that lays nice and flat on your head.

Get your machine ready with coordinating thread and sew around the edges with 1/4 inch seam allowance. You'll want to leave the opposite end from which you started open so that you can pull the fabric inside out. To pull the fabric inside out I just use my fingers.

Once you get the fabric turned inside out, take a knitting needle or some other pointed utensil that won't cut the fabric and make sure the corners are poked out. Then press again with the iron making sure to fold the open ends inside the tube of fabric by 1/4 inch.

Now sew close to the edge, back stitching at the beginning and the end. Cut the thread ends and you are done! You can also choose to sew by hand an invisible stitch. I'm lazy I didn't feel like doing that.

Here's me trying to model the finished product for you. I like to tie mine in a bow in the back. You can always tie it in a not and leave the ends down. I do that too sometimes. This whole process takes about 10-15 minutes depending on if you get interrupted by toddlers or not. Interruptions might cause it to be a two day project, as you can see with the lighting change in the last few pictures.

If you decide to make one of these, please post a link to a picture on your blog or flicker page, I'd love to see what you make.