This is such a quick project with only a few seams. It is an easy knit project for even beginner sewers! This works best with light to medium knit fabric I have had success with sweater knit. With the elastic in the back you can make this out of any light weight apparel fabric like cotton or even sheer fabrics. What a great way to use up remnants by making something useful.
What you will need:
- sewing machine
- thread
- scissors
- ruler
- pins
- 5″ of 1″ wide elastic
- 1/4 yard of 60″ wide knit or 1/2 yard of 45″ wide fabric of your choice
- optional rotary cutting tools
For an average sized adult cut 2 rectangles 19″x6 and one small rectangle 3 1/4″ x 8 1/2″
Place 1 rectangle over the other with right sides facing in a cross position.
Fold the top up and match the end. Pin down both sides as far as you can without interfering with the horizontal fabric.
sew at 1/2″ seam allowance using a zigzag stitch if working with knits. woven fabric can use a straight stitch.
Sew until you reach the horizontal fabric. Be sure not to catch it. if you are sewing with a woven fabric leave enough space from the end that the horizontal fabric moves freely.
Repeat on the opposite side.
This is what it will look like. The free ends should be facing up. You should be looking at the right side of the fabric.
Bring Right sides together and pin.
Pin down as far as you can. Don’t interfere with the previously sewn piece.
Sew a 1/2″ seam as far as you can.
Repeat for the last side.
Turn right side out.
Fold small rectangle in half lengthwise. Pin together.
Sew down the long side.
Turn Tube right side out.
Work the elastic inside the tube. With this light weight knit I feed it on my thumb then I was able to pass the elastic through along my thumb. there is always the trade and true feeding a safety pin through method.
This is what it should look like. There should be extra fabric covering the elastic. ( the wrinkles you are seeing)
Bast edges to make it easier for the next step.
Lay the headband flat with seams worked to the top and bottom like in this example. Place the elastic in the center of the short end.
Fold the bottom edge up over the elastic.
Fold the top down over the elastic as well. Basically it is folded in thirds.
Sew across the end with a 1″ seam allowance. Make sure it is secure.
This is what it should look like.
Flip right side out.
Bring the right side of the headband with the elastic over to meet the left short end. Notice the seams of the left side are at the top and bottom.
Fold fabric over the elastic repeating the process done on the other side.
This is what you will have when you are ready to sew.
Sew the final seam with a 1″ seam allowance.
Turn it right side out and you are done!
