10 Min. Knit Fabric Headband Tutorial

I have the tendency to make headbands with fabric that I sew up for companies because I like them, and they are a good use of scraps. I use this same method every time, but I tweak the measurements depending on how much fabric I have. Today, I am sharing what I call my 10 minute headband tutorial, though in reality, I think I actually sew them much quicker than that! Let’s get into it.

Materials:

• fabric
• ruler to measure
• scissors or cutting mat + rotary cutter
• sewing machine
• head circumference of wearer

This tutorial is very easy and very straightforward. To start out, you need the wearer’s head circumference (mine is 21″) and then to decide how wide you want the finished band to be. For ease, I tend to use the width of my ruler (which is 6″ ) to cut, which results in a finished headband that is ~2.5″ wide since I use a 1/4″ seam allowance. To determine your own width, consider how wide you want it to be on the head when finished. For this one, I went wider to get close to a 3.5″ finished headband. Double your finished width (since it will be folded), then add your seam allowance 2x to account for each edge. My numbers will be 7 (for the doubled finished height) + .5″ (for my 1/4″ seam allowance on each side). 7 + .5 = 7.5″. Next, determine if your fabric is very stretchy (over 50%) or a little stretchy (20% or so). If very stretchy, subtract 2″ from the circumference. If a little stretchy, subtract 1″. My headband would be cut 8.5″ tall x 20″ (since I am using fabric that isn’t very stretchy). It can also be tried on and trimmed shorter later if you’re unsure. I ended up making mine smaller after trying it on, so this beginning picture shows them larger than the measurements provided.

Once you have that cut, decide on the size of the seam cover. You can cut this to whatever width you’re feeling, but I typically go for a finished width of 1- 1.25″. Follow the same concept as the band. Finished width x 2 + 2(SA). 1.25×2 is 3 + 2(.25) = 3.5. Length will be 4-5″, no matter how wide you make it. Excess length will be cut from this piece later, so it’s good to have enough fabric to hold and work with.

Fold the headband from top to bottom with right sides together and sew the long side of the seam. Fold the seam cover from left to right with right sides together and sew the seam.

Turn both pieces right side out. For the headband, center the seam one on side of the headband. The seam side is your wrong side. Fold the ends right sides together, making sure the seam matches on the ends. Sew the seam. You can then trim the seam allowance down or press it open and topstitch the ends down. It’ll get covered by your seam cover anyway. (Don’t ask why I started numbering the photos here….just go with it lol!)

Turn the headband right side out so that it looks correctly oriented. Pinch the top and bottom together at the seam. If you want to make sure your cinch stays exactly as positioned, sew a short backstitch at the top edge to tack the two pieces together. Center the seam of your seam cover and wrap it around the seam of the headband with right sides together. You should see the seam of this piece Sew the edge, getting close to the headband, but don’t sew on the headband in the process. Trim down the seam allowance.

Turn the seam cover right side out so that the seam is now on the inside of the piece. Adjust this piece over the seam of the headband. Shift it around until your seams align. You can then add a dab of hot glue into the backside underneath the seam cover or sew a few hand stitches to secure the seam cover to the headband. I recommend this step if you are gifting these or a child will be wearing them. Admittedly, I don’t bother with any of it. In all my time of sewing these this way and wearing them, they don’t ever shift while on my head.

This tutorial can be used to make any size headband and you can customize the width to your liking. When they are a little wider, they even double as ear warmers.

Will you give this a try? Comment below to let me know! Until next time…..