Learn how to make a DIY Fabric Headband using scrap fabric and fold over elastic. This is the perfect beginner sewing project!
This tutorial for a little girls fabric headband takes under 30 minutes to complete. If you are looking for beginner sewing projects – you have come to the right place!
Check out more simple sewing tutorials on here and here.
Read more for the full DIY Fabric Headband tutorial – Handmade Gift Series tutorial.
Supplies for the DIY Fabric Headband
- scrap fabric (100% cotton works best)
- fold over elastic
- sewing machine
- scissors
How to make a DIY Fabric Headband
1. Using template (download and print here) cut 2 headband pieces. Fold fabric and place wide end of template on fold. The headband pieces are 12 inches in length. The oval shape headband is 1.25 inches on the ends and 2.5 inches in the middle. Cut a 10 inch piece of fold over elastic.
2. Place the right sides of the fabric together. Fold down 1/4 inch and iron one end of headband. Slid in the FOE between the fabric pieces. Pin the pieces together.
3. Starting at the end of the headband with the FOE sticking out, sew that end and the two long sides. Leave the other end of headband open. Leave a half inch on each side of 2 long sides on the open end.
4. Next pull the the inside out by pulling the inner fabric through the open end of headband.
5. Iron the headband flat. Iron in a quarter inch on the open end of the headband.
6. Slip the FOE in the opening (about 1/2 inch). I recommend measuring your child’s head to determine the perfect fit for elastic.
7. Topstich all the way around the headband to give a clean look. Make sure and back stitch on the ends to ensure the elastic is secure.
Now you have a sweet and simple fabric headband for your little girl.
*Check out the tutorial for the same headband for women here!
More Beginner Sewing Projects
Enjoy your sewing! – Sara
192 Comments
This is really nice and easy, thank you.
Thanks Shirley!
Good afternoon. Your little girl headbands are adorable! I would love to make them but it wont let you print the template. Do you have another site that I could go to to get it to print?
Thank you so much.
Blessings,
Julie
Hi Julie
Thanks for the feedback on the template. I will email you the template so you can make some cute headbands!
Best,
Sara
Do you mind sending the kid template/adult to my email? I can’t get the link to pull up! 🙁 My email is mrsvhamm@gmail.com. Thank you!!!
Victoria –
I will send over now.
Happy sewing!
Sara
need help downloading template too. please send to dena1025@comcast.net
thank you…dena
I will email it to you. Sara
I would also love the template! It doesn’t seem as if it is available. Could I get it emailed to me? Thanks so much, I love these headbands!
Hi Lacey –
I just emailed it to you!
Thanks,
Sara
I would also like the template emailed to me
Renee – I sent it over to you. Enjoy!
Could you please email me the adult template? I work in a healthcare office and the mask rope is getting really tough on the ears we are going to try and make a few of these with buttons. Thanks!!
I have six granddaughters and would love to make these for them. Could you possibly email me a copy of the template also. Thanks…..I love them…..
Hi Beverly –
I just emailed you the template. If you have issues printing from our site, you can download and save the template to your desktop and then print.
Thanks for reaching out!
Sara
I, too, would love to have the template emailed to me? Any suggestions for making adult headbands, i.e. how much bigger?
Teresa
I just emailed it to you.
Enjoy!
These were so fun and easy. I spent an afternoon raiding my scraps. This should help me in my battle to keep my 4-year-olds hair out of her eyes. Also, my printer and computer are not getting along right now, so I appreciated your description of the template, I just made my own using the measurments as you explained it. Thank you!
Great Miriam! Glad you made some…they are simple and quick and so great for the little girls! My girl loves them.
These are so cute! Could you please send me the adult-sized template? Thanks!!
Hi Rachel –
I do not have an adult template to print. When I made one for myself I just added an inch on both top and bottom of girls pattern. I would recommend measuring your head as well for size. I can email you the kid template if you have issues printing the kid temp.
Thanks,
Sara
I’m not sure where you enlarged – do you mean you added a total of 2″ to the length of the fabric?
HI Deb
The headband image is actual size. The number represent the actual measurements. Let me know if it is not printing correctly.
Thanks, Sara
Hi,
I would like to make a couple headbands. Could you send me the pattern as well?
Also, where did you find the pretty colored elastic? I only see black, white, brown…boring colors, I like the pastel colors you have. Thank you so much!!!
Hi there
I just emailed you the template! I also sent you a link to many Etsy shops that sell fold over elastic.
Enjoy!
Sara
Could you email the template to me please. Very cute!! Ty!!!
I sent it over…..
Thanks!
Love the cute little headbands, woukd you mind emailing me the template to make them please? And do I cute one piece on the fold or 2 pieces?
Thank you, can’t wait to make some for my granddaughters!!
Enjoy – sent it via email.
Wow…..I would SOOOOO love the template for the headbands too! Thanks in advance….your tutorial will help me start a new craze in our little community!
Hi Ruthanne – I just sent it over!
Enjoy!
Is there any way you could also email me the template? I’m eager to make one of these!
Hi Tara – I just emailed it to you!
hi,
I’m having trouble printing the template, could you send it to me by email?.
Thank you so much!
Hi Jessica –
I just sent it over via email.
Enjoy!
Sara
Would love to have you email the pattern. Do you have an adult size pattern too? If not I”ll adjust. Thanks. They’re adorable
I will email the kids pattern to you!
I was wondering where you get your fabric from. Do you have a website that you like it just from local store?
Hi Kelly – I get fabric from so many places. There are a few local San Francisco places I shop. Also fabric.com and many Etsy fabric shops!
I would love to have the template for the headband if you don’t mind sending it to me. Thank you in advance! They are so cute and my granddaughters will love them.
Hi Delaine –
I just emailed it to you.
Enjoy!
Sara
Hi, could you please email me the template?
Thanks!! Traci
Hi Traci –
I just sent it over.
Thanks,
Sara
Could I also get the templet? They are so cute!
Hi Shayla –
I just emailed it to you!
Enjoy,
Sara
These are so cute! Would love to make some for my daughter and niece. Would you mind emailing me the pattern? Thanks so much!!
Sarah
Hi Sarah –
I just emailed it over to you! Happy sewing.
Sara
Super cute! Could you please email me the template too??
Thanks!
Hi there
I just sent it over!
Enjoy!
Sara
Thank you! I just made these in 4th of July prints for my 3 little girls to wear tomorrow. They turned out way cute and didn’t even take an hour to make 3 of them. Thanks again!
Nice Heidi! Please send me a pic… we would love to see them!
info at aliceandlois.com
Sara
I love these, could you email me the template?
Thanks,
crystal
Hi Crystal –
I just emailed it to you!
Enjoy,
Sara
Thank you for sharing the pattern. I’m very excited to stitch up some of these!