DIY Women’s Fabric Headband

July 29, 2014July 19, 2021 Updated onJuly 19, 2021

Learn how to make this great beginner sewing project, our DIY Women’s Fabric Headband. Perfect accessory for any time of year.

post by Sara

I always seem to be grabbing a scarf, headband or something to keep my hair out of my face in the summer. I made a bunch of fabric headbands for Harper earlier this year. She loves them and I do too. So, at last I made myself one!

The girl’s fabric headband tutorial on our blog is very popular (it has been pinned on Pinterest over 500,000 times (seriously crazy, right?!)! Many have asked for a women’s pattern and tutorial – so here you go! This DIY Women’s Fabric Headband tutorial is great for the beginner sewer.

This is also a wonderful project to do for a craft night with girlfriends!

Read more for the full DIY Women’s Fabric Headband tutorial…

Supplies: fabric scraps (2 pieces at least 13 inches long, 2.5 inches wide) | Fold Over Elastic | sewing machine | headband pattern

How to sew a DIY Women’s Fabric Headband

Step 1

Cut two headband pieces. Fold fabric and place wide end of pattern on fabric fold. The headband pieces are 13 inches in length. Next, cut a 10 inch piece of fold over elastic.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 4

Next pull the inside out by pulling the inner fabric through the open end of headband.

Step 5

Iron the headband flat. Iron in a quarter inch on the open end of the headband.

Step 6

Slip the FOE in the opening (about 1/2 inch). I recommend measuring your head to determine the perfect fit for elastic.

Step 7

Stitch along the end of the headband a couple of times to secure the elastic.

Step 8

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.

More Beginner Sewing Projects

Potholder

Baby bibs

Reversible Headband

Shibori scarf ponytail holder

Curtain panels

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44 Comments

mary says:

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is that a 10 inch or 10 cm piece of elastic

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Mary –
  It is a 10 inch piece of elastic.
  Sara
  
  Reply
Tami says:

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Do you have a pattern for the adult sized headband, or do we use the child’s size and just increase the elastic??? Thanks and LOVE this pattern…made two of the child’s size today and you are right took less than 30 minutes!!

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi there
  I sent you an email with the link for the women’s pattern. Glad you enjoyed the girls headbands!
  
  Reply
2. Andrea says:
  
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  These are great where do i get the adult pattern? Thank you for sharing : 0)
  
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  1. sara albers says:
    
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    Here is the link to the headband:
    http://aliceandlois.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headband-pattern.pdf
    Enjoy!
    Sara
    
    Reply
Kelly says:

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As long as the fabrics are similar, I wonder if I could use different patterns on the two fabric pieces for a reversible headband. Have you tried this yet and how did it work for you?

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Kelly –
  I think you could do that for sure!
  Happy sewing!
  Sara
  
  Reply
Lacey says:

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Hi! I made this and I used velveteen for the underside. That way it doesn’t slide off my head. Thanks!

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Lacey – That is a great idea! I will have to try this. Thanks so much for sharing your tips!
  Sara
  
  Reply
2. Sandy Edenfield says:
  
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  Comment
  Lacey,
  Where did you get the velveteen ribbon?
  
  Thanks!
  
  Reply
  1. sara albers says:
    
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    The ribbon is actually fold over elastic. I got mine at a discount fabric store in San Francisco. But the link inhale post for the elastic is on amazon.
    
    Reply
Amy says:

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Can you please tell me how to get to the link for the adult headband pattern?
Thanks!

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Amy –
  Here is the link to the adult headband version.
  Enjoy!
  http://aliceandlois.com/diy-womens-fabric-headband/headband-pattern/
  Sara
  
  Reply
Rebecca says:

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Hi there
Can you please send me a link to the adult headband as I am not able to access it. TIA

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Rebecca –
  I just sent over the link.
  Thanks,
  Sara
  
  Reply
Gailete says:

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I was looking for a women’s haedband pattern this weekend and hadn’t found it yet and her it was on Pinterest that I found you. Thanks for the two sizes patterns. I’m hoping to machine embroider the headband before putting it together.

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Gailete –
  Enjoy the patterns! I would love to see a picture of the ones you make!
  Sara
  
  Reply
andrea says:

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Hello…everywhere i click i get the kid size..would like the adult pattern please

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1. melissa fenlon says:
  
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  Here you go!
  http://aliceandlois.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headband-pattern.pdf
  
  Reply
Tiffany says:

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I love these headbands! My 5 year old decided to chop some bangs, scalp length, this week. I have made her 4 of these headbands, reversible, to cover her hair mishap. They are so cute and super easy to make! Thanks so much for the tutorial. I will be making some for myself next!

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Tiffany – I love how you made them reversible! Aren’t these the best to make – quick and easy!
  
  Reply
Short Hairstyles says:

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Hi Tiffany – I love how you made them reversible! Aren't these the best to make – quick and easy!.

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Pam says:

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COULD YOU PLEASE E-MAIL ME THE PATTERNS FOR THE GIRL AND WOMAN… I CAN’T GET THE LINK TO OPEN… THANK YOU THESE ARE ADORABLE!!
FRDMBREEZE3@AOL.COM

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Hi Pam –
  I sent you the templates. Enjoy!
  
  Reply
Viola d. says:

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Thank you for sharing this cool diy! I just made one following your pattern 😀

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Diana MILLSAP says:

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Hello. I love the girls and womans headband. Would you please email me the pattern for both of them? I could not get the link to open. I’d like to try sewing these with my granddaughters. Thank you so much for your time. DIANA

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  I will email them to you now. Enjoy!
  
  Reply
Terri says:

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Love this simple and cute.
My guest will love it.
T.

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Debbie says:

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Hi I would love to try both the child’s and adults but neither template will open
:o( they look so nice and easy!

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Just sent you an email…
  
  Reply
Jennifer says:

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Could you please email me the pattern for the adult headband. Thanks in advance

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  Just sent it over. Here is the link to the pattern as well. http://www.aliceandlois.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/headband-pattern.pdf
  
  Reply
Jessie says:

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What would be the recommended width if I just wanted to make rectangular headbands instead of oval?

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  I would maybe add a half inch on each long side.
  
  Reply
STEPHANIE says:

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I’VE BEEN MAKING THESE FOR NURSES DURING THE PANDEMIC. I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ELASTIC WITH SO MANY PEOPLE MAKING MASKS RIGHT NOW. I BOUGHT SOME ELASTIC HEAD BANDS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE, CUT THEM IN HALF AND ADDED ABOUT A HALF AN INCH MORE FABRIC TO MAKE SURE IT WASN’T TOO TIGHT.

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  What a great idea and how very kind of you to be making these for nurses!
  
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Yolanda groeneweg says:

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Hello! I am looking to making these headbands for the nursing community in hospitals during this pandemic. I will be placing buttosn on the sides to hold facemasks. Is there any substitute or method I can use instead of the fold-over elastic? Unfortunately, it is not available, even on Amazon.ca (I’m Canadian)

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  How wonderful of you! I know people are using cut strips of cotton t-shirts to create an elastic type fabric. I have not used that on this fabric headband, but it could be worth a try. – Sara
  
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2. Sandra Sellers says:
  
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  I am making them for my niece who is a nurse. I also don’t have the fold over elastic but I’m just going to use plain old elastic from my sewing stash. I have 1/2″ and 1″ and some are soft for baby clothing and some is rough. I’m going to play around and see what works best but I would think any kind of elastic would work.
  
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Allison says:

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Is there a printable template for the adults head ban plz

agreaves1978@live.co.uk
That’s my email it’s written wrong above

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  just sent! happy sewing
  
  Reply
Alice says:

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Is there a video tutorial for this? The directions are kind of confusing for me as the steps go further.

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1. sara albers says:
  
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  I do not have a video… I’m sorry. You can email me with any questions. sara@aliceandlois.com
  
  Reply

DIY Women’s Fabric Headband