by Silva Payne

Created on: July 25, 2010   Last Updated: February 17, 2012

Making your own hair scrunchies is a fun way to get tweens and teens interested in sewing. It is a simple sewing project that needs minimal equipment. The best thing about it is that each scrunchie will be unique, and they can be customised to the individuals' own requirements.

To make a hair scrunchie you will need some fabric, thick elastic, sewing thread, pins, sewing needle, safety pin and scissors. Hair scrunchies are so simple, you do not even need a paper pattern.

Cut a strip of fabric, roughly 3 inches (8cm) wide and 16-18 inches (40-50 cm) long. The best fabrics to use are cotton or polyester. Silk or satin can be used, but tend to fray at the seams quickly when you start to use the scrunchie.

If you are going to add some embellishments, such as beads, sequins or embroidery to your hair scrunchie, you should do so now. This will enable you to keep all the knots and ends of thread neatly inside the scrunchie once it is assembled.

Remember that the scrunchie will be in your hair, so be selective with the size and style of bead you use. You may also want to wash the scrunchie occasionally, so washable beads and other accessories should be chosen.

Fold the short edges of the strip of fabric in, wrong sides together, by about ¼inch (1 cm) and stitch neatly in place.

Next fold the strip of fabric in half length ways, right sides together. Stitch with very small running or back stitches along the long raw edges to form a tube. Turn the tube right side out.

Now place the ends of the tube together to form a circle. Carefully stitch the ends together using tiny stitches, but leaving a small gap and a long tail of thread. This is where you will thread the elastic through the scrunchie.

Take a length of wide or thick elastic, approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long. Open the safety pin and push the point through one end of the length of elastic. Close the pin. This will help you guide the elastic through the fabric tube.

Start by pushing the safety pin into the gap in the fabric tube and easing it along the tube. Make sure you keep hold of the other end of the elastic! The scrunchie will gather itself as the elastic is pulled through the tube. When the safety pin appears at the gap again, pull it and the other end of elastic clear of the tube and tie a knot in them.

Put your fingers in the centre hole of the scrunchie and stretch it a little to help the elastic knot to disappear back inside the fabric tube. Now finish sewing the gap closed and work in the end of thread.

Now you have made your first hair scrunchie, you can make more for yourself and for your friends as gifts.

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