DIY Fabric Headband tutorial – Handmade Gift Series
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
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!
Enjoy Suzy! They are so quick and easy to make.
Sara
I just live the headband. Please email me the templet. Thank you so very much
Please email me a template of the headband. I am going to teach my granddaughter to sew and I think this will be an easy item to start with. Thank you
Vickie – I just sent it over.
Enjoy and happy sewing!
Sara
Aloha, I love these, could you please e-mail me the template for the head bands? Mahalo…
Hi Betty –
I just sent it over!
Sara
Your headbands are adorable I need one for my baby girl!!! Could you possibly email the template to me? Thank you so much!!!!
I sent it over! Enjoy and happy sewing!
Please send me the template. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Do you have template for teens or adults sizes?
I will email to you now….
happy sewing!
Sara
I am a sewing newbie. Does the elastic go through all the fabric or just connected to each side?
Thanks.
Susie –
You slip the elastic inside the opening of the fabric.
Happy sewing,
Sara
Could you please email the template to me as well? Thank you!
Hi Stephanie –
I sent it over.
happy sewing!
Sara
Please email me the pattern for kids/adult headband THANK YOU!
Hi Sharon – I just sent it over!
Enjoy,
Sara
Would you please email me the templates for both the little girl and woman headbands? They are adorable!
Sure thing! Just sent them over.
Happy sewing!
Would it be too much trouble to ask for the child and adult templates? I would be ever so grateful!!
Hi Carolyn – I sent them over!
happy Sewing,
Sara
Would you pls. Email me the templates for both girl & woman headband? Thank you soooooo much 🙂
Nadia
Nadia –
Just sent them over.
Enjoy,
Sara
Could you send me the kids and adult template??
Thanks!
just sent them over!
Can I have the pattern as well?
Hi there
I will send it over.
Enjoy,
Sara
This looks quick and easy. Thanks for sharing. I have shared with my FB likers.
Thanks Janine! They perfect little gifts! SO easy and so cute.
This is a wonderful idea. Would you be able to send me the pattern sent to me as well? Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Monique –
Just sent it over.
Enjoy!
Sara
Could I also get the template emailed. Thank you so much!
Just sent it over! Happy sewing.
hey, I can up the link, but when i go to print, it is to big for my printer to print on one page, will this mess up the template if i make it smaller??
Hi Anna –
I sent it over to you via email.
Enjoy,
Sara
these are so cute! Could you e-mail me the pattern for both sizes? Thanks so much
Never mind. I got it to work. Thanks
Wow! Very cute headbands. Great work! 🙂
Hi Sara,
I love the headbands! I went to a Packer game last weekend and saw someone wearing one made from a Packer jersey. So I went to a swift shop and bought a few shirts. I started to cut them out for my girls but I am afraid that they might be a little small. Do you have a larger template you could email me. Thank you so much!
Great idea! I emailed you the template.
Enjoy!
I found it on the site! Thanks!
Will have to make a few of these on the coming holidays. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa – Enjoy and happy sewing!
I would love to have both templates, thank you!!! These are adorable
Hi how do I get the template for the headband? I would love to make them for my daughter
Thank You,
Angie
Never mind I got it. Thank you again .. Wish me luck!!
Good luck! It is a great beginner sewing project for sure!
How long do you cut the elastic?
Hi Kimberly – Cut 10 inches of the fold over elastic.
Happy sewing,
Sara
hi ,greate tutorial but could u plz email me the templates for both adults and children,
keep up the great work
I will send you an email with the links to the templates.
Enjoy!
I can not download the adult headband pattern. Can you please e-mail it to me. Thanks
Debbie – we will send it over. Thanks for letting us know.
I absolutely love these and would also like a template please
Thank you
Hi there –
Here is the link to the printable headband…
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Here you go!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
hi! i just love these, my daughter got yesterday her first sewingmachine, and now we are looking for projects to do. This one looks easy and amazing! would you send me the templates to my email so i can print it? Thanks in advance!
Scroll down, girl… I just saw the liNks! 😉
There are links in the comments below. But I can send it to you as well.
Sara
could you tell me where you get the elastic in different colors?
Hi Cynthia – you can click on the fold over elastic link in the supplies section of the post. I order from amazon.
Hope this helps!
Please send the kid and adult templates
Hi there – I emailed you the templates. But for reference; adult http://aliceandlois.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headband-pattern.pdf
kids https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
I have three girls they Love headband may i please get the template thanks a million.
Great tutorial sewing today
thanks
I love this tutorial!! Thanks for sharing. As for sizing, what age range are the headbands for? I’d love to be able to adjust the elastic size but not sure how to go about it.
I would say that the kid’s headband is up to age 7. But, kid’s head sizes vary so much. I would recommend increasing the length of the headband a half inch or so to fit an older child.
Wow ! what a beautiful hair band…thanks for the project
Thanks so much!
Please send me the templet for the adult/child headband. Thank you so much. my email is fbettega@aol.com but in lower case sorry my computer is stuck in caps. again thank you
Will do. Enjoy.
Wondering if i could have the pattern for both the adult and babY hedband please? Thnk you! Very cute!!
I sent them over to you. Happy sewing!
hi i would love the template , iVe just Bought a sewing machine…. Once ive figured out how to get it going id love to give this ago my little girl lovels marvel heros and wants some spiderman headbands ! Funnily enough u cant buy these
SO true – I don’t know if I have ever seen spiderman headbands.
Tis link will take you to the pattern
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Can you please send me the pattern? Thanks!!!
Jamie@heubaum.com
Hi Jamie –
This is the link to the template. Enjoy!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
I would like to make some for my niece.. Pls send me the pattern to nf. Warsani@gmail.com
Here is the link to the template in the post.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit?usp=sharing
Did you use 3/8″ or 5/8″ fold over elastic?
Hi Darlene – you can use either size. I use 5/8 inches.
Thank u for the Pattern. I have two sweet granddaughters that I have been having a great time sewing for.
Awesome HEADBANDS☺☺☺
hI sARA i LOVE the headbands your little lady looks so lovely showing off her new headband. Thanks for sharing. Please could you email me the pattern cannot wait to make some for my Gran children.
Hi Teresa – here is the link from the post for the headband template https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit Enjoy!
Hello, CAN YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME THE TEMPLATE? tHANK YOU
nICKIE
Here is the link to the template/pattern. It is in step one of the tutorial in the blog post. You have to click on the link to get the pattern. Hope this helps. Enjoy. http://bit.ly/1jijGN3
Hi, i love these headbands! I did get too big of elastic ):. It worked out fine, though, and all of my headbands turned out great! One thing I would RECOMMEND instead of using a paper template is to use a cardboard cutout template, and trace pattern onto the fabric. Thank you for the pattern!
SO glad! Great tip about the pattern template on cardboard.
would love the template…..
It wont let me type my email in lower case…..
noelenemac@hotmail.com
CHeers
I will send it to you. Here is the link… https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
This is perfect and just want I want to make for my neice to match one i am making for her american girl doll. (I just made them matching skirts as well.) Question: can I use regular white elastic 1/2″? It’s all i have currently and don’t have much time before the holidays.
Thanks!
I think that would work just fine.
WONDERFUL TUTORIAL. MY DAUGHTER JUST GOT A SEWING machine AND WANTS THIS AS HER FIRST PROJECT. HOWEVER, WE can’t get THE TEMPLATE TO PRINT. COULD YOU EMAIL IT TO ME PLEASE?
THANK YOU
NICOLE
I will send you the template. Happy sewing, Sara
Hi there, could you please forward me the template, can’t seem to find it. would love to make these for my nieces. Thank you. M.
Here is the link from the tutorial… https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Enjoy!
can u e-mail me the template for the reversible head band
Just sent it over. Here is the link from the tutorial that takes you to the pattern as well. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Thank you for the pattern. Very good directions. Very clear and to the point.
Great job ladies.
Please email me child’s and adult headbands. They are truely adorable and cannot access them.
Thank you in advance.
Here is the link for the kid’s pattern https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Here is the link for adult size http://www.aliceandlois.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headband-pattern.pdf
How do you adjust the width of the headband for younger/older children? I am making a bunch for all my girl cousins and they range from 2 years old to 13 years old. Thanks!
~Liza from Sunshine Sisters
I would recommend using the kids size pattern for the younger kids and the women size patter for the 12+ age girls. Happy sewing!
Would you email the template to me too please?
Just sent… Happy sewing.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Where did you get this fabric? I have looked everywhere for it and can’t find it. I love all of the colors!
Which fabric are you looking for?
Could you please send me the pattern for this head band.?? I would really be thankful.
Here you go… https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
this is the best
Thanks! I’m falling in love! !! ♡♡♡ It’s very useful.
Could you please send me the template for the little girls headbands as I have 2granddaughters that would love one of these.
Sent to you – hope you enjoy it!
Could you email me the pattern. Thanks!
sent it over. happy sewing!
This is really an awesome job you make look very easy I’m going o give it a try I love it.
Hi Sara,
I was wondering if I could get your adult template for making these beautiful head bands. Thanks Hillary
Just sent =)
I’m trying to download. No luck. Do you still have adult and child templets that you could email?
I’d love it— will be grandmother/granddaughter matching.
They are adorable.
Thanks so much!
Jeanne
I will email over to you! Happy sewing.
I recently got a pixie haircut and I’ve been searching for cute headbands. Looking on Amazon and fabric ones start around $8. What?!!!! For fabric scraps?!!!! THANK YOU for the pattern!!!!!!!
Where are you getting the colored elastic?
Thanks
If you click the FOE (fold over elastic) under supplies in the blog post, it will take you to some elastic sold on amazon (affiliate link). You can also find it at most fabric and craft stores.
Hi Sara,
Would love to make these head bands, as gifts for a few little girls and their mums, so just wondering if your could please send me the template for the child and adult sizes.
Thank you
Kate
I just sent them over.
Beautiful headbands, would you please email me the template as well? Thanks so much!
Really cool idea! It is so nice and easy to make. I love it.
Thanks.
hi would you mind telling how what size elastic I would need for adults an kids. Also would you mind emailing me this pattern for adults!? thank you
ps. Im making these for my sister, who is a nurse and has to wear the facemask all day. Thank you so much for your help
How kind of you! I can send you the patterns. You can use any elastic – I recommend a half inch. You can use fold over elastic or regular elastic. If you have a hard time finding elastic, you can probably use a cut t-shirt as well.
I tried to recreate your pattern from the measurements you have on the page. I wanted to make it for my adult daughter who is in the health care profession and needs a way to hold her face mask up. I made the head band a little longer but the back on top lifts. Is there something I can do to help it hold tight to her head? Thanks for your help. I love this pattern.
This pattern is perfect for that. You can also add buttons to hold the face mask straps. I would recommend making the pattern a bit more narrow if it is sticking up in the back. All head shapes and sizes are different =) You could do 1/2 inch on each side. – Sara
I really need this child headband template. Please email to me. Thanks!!
Hi there – You can find the headband template here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8erFuN9_FSzWnpmVjZMWHRaVmc/edit
Hi
Could you tell me what is FOE as you mentioned in your instructions? And could you please email me the adult template ? I would love to make matching headbands for me and my girls.
Thanks so much
FOE is fold over elastic. There is a link for it in the suppies list. I can email you the pattern.
Thanks for the template. I was winging it lol. Sometimes it worked. I’ll email you some of my work I’ve done and going to do.
Gabrielle
#da_vine_designs
Thank you for this lovely tutorial. I have been looking for a pattern such as this for my granddaughter. I am a very experienced sewer and have been sewing 57 years but it’s always good to learn something new.