Hair Band
This instructable will show you how to sew an elastic hair band and matching barrettes. This hair band will fit an adult; you can easily change this to fit a child.
You will need about 1/8 of a yard of fabric, two metal barrettes/ clips, and a six inch piece of soft elastic.
You will need about 1/8 of a yard of fabric, two metal barrettes/ clips, and a six inch piece of soft elastic.
Preparing the Materials
On a piece of paper, trace around the barrettes. Then add about 1/4 inch all around to make the barrette pattern.
Cut fabric as follows for an adult-sized hairband
1 piece: 15 x 5.5 inches
1 piece: 10 x 2.5 inches
1 piece elastic: 6 inches
2 pieces of the barrette pattern. Then snip off about 1/4 inch from the "non-pointy" end, as shown in the picture.
Cut fabric as follows for a child-sized hairband
1 piece 15 x 5.5 inches
1 piece: 8 x 2.5 inches
1 piece elastic: 4 inches
Cut fabric as follows for an adult-sized hairband
1 piece: 15 x 5.5 inches
1 piece: 10 x 2.5 inches
1 piece elastic: 6 inches
2 pieces of the barrette pattern. Then snip off about 1/4 inch from the "non-pointy" end, as shown in the picture.
Cut fabric as follows for a child-sized hairband
1 piece 15 x 5.5 inches
1 piece: 8 x 2.5 inches
1 piece elastic: 4 inches
Sewing the Hairband
Fold the bigger hairband piece in half length-wise, right sides together. Press flat. Then sew a 1/4 inch seam along the open side to make a long tube. Turn, and press with the seam in the middle of the band.
Repeat with the smaller hairband piece.
Repeat with the smaller hairband piece.
Insert the Elastic
Insert the elastic into the smaller tube until the end of the elastic is even with the end of the tube. Pin the elastic so it doesn't slide any farther. Scrunch up the tube to make the elastic even with the other end of the tube.
The easiest way to do this is with one of those little hooks they sell for the purpose of inserting elastic, but you could also use a safety pin on one end of the elastic, and pull it through with a crochet hook.
Sew both ends of the smaller tube to secure the elastic. You can sew right across the fabric, even though it's the "right side." It will be hidden in the next step.
The easiest way to do this is with one of those little hooks they sell for the purpose of inserting elastic, but you could also use a safety pin on one end of the elastic, and pull it through with a crochet hook.
Sew both ends of the smaller tube to secure the elastic. You can sew right across the fabric, even though it's the "right side." It will be hidden in the next step.
Sew the Hairband Together
Lay the two tubes of fabric together, with the "right sides" (the sides where the seam doesn't show) together. Sew across, about 1/2 inch from the top.
Connect the other end the same way.
Connect the other end the same way.
Finish the Hair Band!
Tug on the two pieces of the hair band to hide the seam, as shown in the video.
Downloads
Make the Barrette Cover
Pin the two barrette cover pieces together, right sides together.
Sew the two pieces of the barrette cover together, right sides together. Sew a scant 1/4 inch seam. Turn right side out. Press flat.
Insert the metal clip. If the fit is too loose, sew a narrow top seam around the edge to improve the fit.
Fold the bit of fabric still extending past the end over the barrette, and use hot glue to secure it. Gluing a tiny bit of felt (which won't gray) over the raw edge may help make the barrette last longer.
Et voila! There you have it!
Sew the two pieces of the barrette cover together, right sides together. Sew a scant 1/4 inch seam. Turn right side out. Press flat.
Insert the metal clip. If the fit is too loose, sew a narrow top seam around the edge to improve the fit.
Fold the bit of fabric still extending past the end over the barrette, and use hot glue to secure it. Gluing a tiny bit of felt (which won't gray) over the raw edge may help make the barrette last longer.
Et voila! There you have it!