Braided Headband Tutorial - You Can Make It

My hair is at that awkward growing out stage right now.  I can't decide how I want it, so I just let it grow.  Consequently, I've been wearing a lot of headbands, barrettes, and ponytails lately.  Every time I wear one of these braided headbands, I get a ton of compliments on it.  When I tell people I made it myself, they're amazed.  I thought everyone knew how to make these!  I do mine slightly different, though,  which makes it look finished.




Time Estimate: 10 minutes

You will need:

• 3 different fabrics.  You will need the entire width of the fabric (45 inches.)  
• Ponytail holder
• Needle & thread or a sewing machine
• Scissors
• Rotary Cutter (totally optional, nice if you're making a lot of these)

Helpful hint: If purchasing fabric, you'll need to buy 1/4 yards.  Fat quarters won't work.  BUT...you'll be able to get 6 -8 headbands from your 3 (three) 1/4 yards. 

Choose three fabrics.  It doesn't matter what the pattern is or really, even what type of fabric.  The colors just have to go together.  As you can see from mine, I used a cotton seersucker, some precut fabric strips, and a flowy rayon voile.  Cut a strip from each fabric that is approximately 1 inch wide.  Again, this is pretty forgiving, as my pre-cut strips were about 1/2 inch wide and the strips I cut were about 1 1/4 inches wide.  You'll need to cut your strips the width of your fabric - this should be 45 inches.  Your strips will be 1 x 45 inches.

Helpful hint: Sometimes, you can tear the fabric.  Fabric usually tears straight with the grain, which makes it sooo much easier.  If your fabric doesn't tear easily, you'll need to cut it.

Take the ends of your strips and stack them together on one end.  Take your strips and thread them trhough your ponytail holder.  Center your ponytail holder.  You should now have 6 strands that are about 22 inches in length, with a ponytail holder in the middle.  If one of your strips is shorter than the others, now is the time to even them out.  Don't cut it, just adjust it so that it's even on both sides of the ponytail holder.

Sort the strips out so that you have the two strips of each fabric held together as one.  Next, braid the strips all the way to the end.  I loop the ponytail holder around my toes to hold it while I braid.  And yes, those are my pajamas.   

Now, to attach the other end.  Loop the end through the ponytail holder.  You may need to unbraid your ends a little.  Fold them over and stitch the ends down to the fabric strips.  I used a sewing machine, but you can easily hand-stitch it.  I stitched it about 4 times, as I wanted to make sure it was securely attached.

Now, trim the ends.   

Now you have a great headband that looks totally finished!