Fabulous Reversible Headband

Looking for an inexpensive, fun, quick and easy project? I've got one for you. It's a fabulous reversible headband.

You need two coordinating ribbons. I chose 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon that I purchased at Hobby Lobby. Quite often they run their ribbon by the roll at half off. You can use ribbon as small as 1/2" wide and as big as 2" wide. 1 1/2" is a great size for children and adults.

You will also need coordinating thread, a sewing machine and some elastic. You can use the plain white apparel elastic found at craft stores - it works just fine. I chose to use some thin elastic headband and ponytail elastic that I had left over from a previous project. The bright colors will look great with my ribbon.

Grab a pair of sharp scissors. It is now time to cut the ribbon. To make a headband for a toddler or small child, measure the ribbon to 15 inches. For an 8 year old up to adult, measure the lengths of ribbon to 17 inches. Cut both pieces of coordinating ribbon. I am making my headband for an adult.

Keep those super sharp scissors handy. Grab your elastic. For a toddler or small child, measure out 3 inches of elastic. For a child about 8 or older up to an adult, measure out 3 1/2 inches of elastic. If your elastic has the metal clip that holds the two ends of the elastic together, cut that out. It is unusable.

Time to turn on your iron to the "synthetic" or "polyester" setting. Turn down the short, raw edge of your ribbon down about 1/4" and press. Do with both pieces of one end of the ribbon.

Match up the ends.

Pin the ribbon in place. Pins should be near the edge of the ribbon and not towards the middle. Do this for only one side of the ribbon. Then go back and press down with the iron the raw edges on the other end of the ribbon. Make sure to match up their lengths and pin in place.

Between both layers of ribbon and between the pins there is a "tunnel". This is the space where you will insert your elastic. Pin elastic in place. Do this on only one end of the ribbon. We will get to the other end later on.

 Now you are ready to sew.

Start sewing on the edge of the ribbon where your elastic is inserted. Don't forget to backstitch so your stitches don't unravel. Sew a straight stitch about 1/4" from the edge. You may have to help ease the ribbon and elastic under the sewing machine - it is pretty thick to sew through. When the entire side is sewn, lift your presser foot and turn the corner. Sew down the length of ribbon and backstitch when you get to the end. Clip your thread.

Now insert your elastic into the unsewn raw end of ribbon in the "tunnel", just as you did for the other end. Pin in place.

Straight stitch edge of ribbon where you just inserted your elastic, remembering to backstitch.

Lift your presser foot and turn the corner. Finish up by stitching the last unfinished edge of ribbon. Backstitch at the end and clip all threads. Voila! Almost instant gratification. This headband took me about 12 minutes. It might take a beginner about 30 minutes, max, just figuring out the instructions.

Please take a second to leave a comment if you took a moment to stop by.  You can do so right below this post. If you make a headband (or two or three), I'd really love to see it! Post one of your photos for me to admire your work. My peanut loves her headband. Thanks for spending time with my Bucket of Buttons.

My Fabulous Reversible Headband was featured at:



My Fabulous Reversible Headband is being linked up at Creative Share Wednesday AT THE TRENDY TREEHOUSE and Wednesday's Show and Tell Link Party at Blue Cricket Design. Check it out! The headband can also be found on the Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming and Made by You Mondays at Skip To My Lou.