Of late, I’ve found myself wearing a ton of headbands. I didn’t used to be a huge headband fan, but the truth is that it’s been hot, I’ve needed my hair off my face, and the headband has quickly become my favorite tool to do that! But headbands aren’t cheap. Just the same, I love them–and it turns out you can make your own headband pretty easily. That’s why I created this easy how to make a double-sided headband tutorial with a free pattern!
This is the awesome pattern I created to make a double-sided headband (both with and without ear-saver buttons to help hold up your face mask). My goal was pretty simple: Make a double-sided headband that would stay on my head and not slip around, keep my hair off my face, and be quick and easy enough that I could make several in a matter of a few minutes. This way I would have one or two available while washing another one or two.
What I came up with was a fun way to use up some scrap fabric and meet all the needs I had for an easy DIY double sided headband! Now, I would like to point out that I’ve seen a couple of tutorials on how to make similar double sided headbands, but none of them were clear to me. And while I love coming up with my own patterns, I’m not thrilled using someone else’s pattern and having to basically come up with all the important parts on my own.
Frankly, if that’s how I’m going to roll, I might as well make my own pattern. So, that’s exactly what I did. All of that being said, let’s get to making our double sided headbands!
What You’ll Need:
- Scraps (less than ⅛ yd) 2 Patterned Fabrics, per headband
- 1 Length of Elastic (6-7 inches for adult sizing, 3-4 inches for child sizing)
- Thread
- Large Buttons (If adding the Ear Saver)
- Iron (optional)
- Sewing Pins
- Printable Pattern
You’ll need less than ⅛ of a yard of each color you choose, but the deal is that you’ll want a long, thin strip. So, look at the pattern before you select your fabric, because a fat squatty square of fabric simply won’t work. Additionally, it’s worth pointing out that selecting a fabric that has a little stretch to it, like a jersey or lycra might make for a more comfortable wear experience, but it is going to allow your headband to move more–so you might think about that before selecting your fabric.
The final thing you’ll need for the pattern is a strip of elastic. Depending on whether you’re making a child’s size headband or an adult sized one, you’ll want to cut your elastic accordingly, so pick whichever is right for the size head you’re going for.
Optionally, you can add the Ear-saver option. I recommend finding two large buttons that match your favorite fabric. The purpose of the buttons is to help keep the loops of a face mask from having to go around your ears. Having loops there can become painful and actually cause your ears to breakdown (meaning rashes, sores and painful chafing). So, if you plan to wear a mask for a long time at any time, it’s nice to have a headband you can rely on to help hold those straps up! But, that’s absolutely optional.
How to Make a Double-Sided Headband With Free Pattern
Start by cutting out the pieces from the pattern. Cut one fabric color each of each shape (piece A and piece B) for whichever size headband you’re making. Be sure to cut with respect to the fold lines where shown (I initially forgot to do this, so I added the notes on the pattern itself).
Place the two contrasting pieces of each shape right-side to right-side and pin in place. Plan to leave the short ends of each shape open in your initial sewing.
Using the hem lines noted on the pattern as your guide, hem the long sides of each shape A and B. Now your headband is beginning to take shape. Once you’re done sewing, turn the fabric right side out. Using a turning tool or whatever you have on hand may make this easier.
If your fabric has a lot of body, or you do not like the general puffiness of the hemlines, this is a great time to iron. Simply turn the fabric back inside-out and fold open the hems. Once open, iron them flat, pressing each color fabric’s hem back onto itself. This will make the hemlines very sharp when you turn the fabric back right-side out.
If you are still unhappy with the puffiness of the hems, you can iron the pieces once more, this time pressing the hems from the outside to clean up the thickness. Again, I did not need to do this, but the option is available.
In the next step of how to make a double-sided headband with free pattern, cut the length of elastic you need for the size headband you’re making, then slide your elastic piece into shape B and tack it in place with a single stitch or two (by hand or with the machine is fine) along the edges of the shape B.
This will mean tucking up the majority of shape B around the middle of the elastic, since the elastic is shorter than shape B, but this is intentional.
Tuck the open ends of shape A inward, then slide the end of shape B inside, then pin in place.
Run a hem along this join line and make it neat because it will be exposed, albeit under your hair. Also, make sure to capture the elastic, as well, to help secure it in place a little more. At this point, your headband is done.
If desired, to add buttons to hold a face mask away from your ears. See example above. Measure 2-inches above the join line of shape A and shape B, marking the center of your button. Then sew your buttons on in place, taking care to sew them on neatly because they will be visible above and behind your ears. Trim all loose threads.
Now you can have a face mask on all day and it partially goes around your ears or just hook around the button to “save” your ears. Now you can enjoy your new headband! These cute headbands would make great gifts for your friends and family. Make a few for your family and some to give away.
If you liked this how to make a double-sided headband tutorial with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite sewing Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make some of these double-sided headbands, take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing what our readers are making!
How To Make A Double-Sided Headband with Free Pattern
Need some cute headbands but don't want to pay full-price? We show you how to make a double-sided headband with this free pattern. Take the guesswork out of your next sewing project with these easy to follow sewing tutorial. You'll get two cute headbands in one! Now that's my kind of deal!
Materials
- Scraps (less than ⅛ yd) 2 Patterned Fabrics, per headband
- 1 Length of Elastic (6-7 inches for adult sizing, 3-4 inches for child sizing)
- Thread
- Printable Pattern
- Buttons (if desired)
Tools
Instructions
- Cut out the pieces from the pattern, one fabric color each of each shape (piece A and piece B) for whichever size headband you’re making. Be sure to cut with respect to the fold lines where shown.
- Place the two contrasting pieces of each shape right-side to right-side and pin in place. Plan to leave the short ends of each shape open in your initial sewing.
- Using the hem lines noted on the pattern as your guide, hem the long sides of each shape A and B.
- Optionally, fold open the hems. Once open, iron them flat, pressing each color fabric’s hem back onto itself.
- Turn the pieces of fabric right-side out. Optionally, iron the pieces once more, this time pressing the hems from the outside to clean up the thickness.
- Cut the length of elastic you need for the size headband you’re making, then slide your elastic piece into shape B and tack it in place with a single stitch or two (by hand or with the machine is fine) along the edges of the shape B. This will mean tucking up the majority of shape B around the middle of the elastic, since the elastic is shorter than shape B, but this is intentional.
- Tuck the open ends of shape A inward, then slide the end of shape B inside, then pin in place.
- Run a hem along this join line. Make sure to capture the elastic in the hem..
- If desired, to add buttons to hold a face mask away from your ears, measure 2-inches above the join line of shape A and shape B, marking the center of your button. Then sew your buttons on in place.
- Trim all loose threads.
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Really nice tutorial! Look for it to be featured in this week’s Creative Compulsions.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Great projects for beginner and “seasoned” sewers. My 9 year-old granddaughter is taking up sewing, and many of these projects will be great to try out. Trying to get my other granddaughter interested also, so this website might just do the trick. Thanks for sharing.