Tutorial: Stash busting headbands with Smale!

Ever wondered what to do with all those pesky left over bits of fabric from projects long since completed, but too large and gorgeous to consider recycling?

Well, here is a project for you my friend!

In the Spring/Summer trend of matchy matchyness 

These fabric headbands are super simple to make. 

For a plain headband with no bow:

1. Measure the circumference of your head and add 1 inch to this number. eg if your head measures 24inches +1inch= 25inches
2. Cut a strip of fabric this length and approx 4-5inches wide, depending on how wide you want your headbands.
   
3. Fold in half width ways, pretty sides facing, and sew together all around the edges, leaving a small gap open.
   
4. Turn around the correct way and press.
5. Finally, attach a small piece of elastic to the back of your headband, joining the two ends together. This should measure no more than 1.5inches long. I used wide elastic.
   

For a headband with a bow

1. Measure the circumference of your head and add 6 inches to this number. eg if your head measures 24inches +6inch= 30inches
2. Cut a strip of fabric this length and approx 4-5inches wide, depending on how wide you want your headbands.
   
3. Cut your strip into two equal halves, for the bow to be on the top of your head, and into two unequal halves for a bow off centre. 
   
4. Fold both pieces in half width ways, pretty sides facing, and sew together all around the edges, leaving a small gap open 
   
   
5. Turn around the correct way and press. Tie the two pieces together in a bow, this can be pretty fiddly!
   
6. Finally, attach a small piece of elastic to the back of your headband, joining the two ends together. This should measure no more than 1.5inches long. I used wide elastic.

Et voila!

Other ideas to extend this satisfying craft may be to run some wire through your bow for added fun and spring or to try making them using trimmings such as the lace version seen at the top (one of my faves)

Recycling made pretty! Here is lovely Smale modelling her polka dotty bow for us:

If you give either of these mini tutorials a go, please let me know, I would love to see!

Thanks for reading x