So Sew Something!

Oh how I love the words FREE and EASY in the same sentence…especially when they apply to the same project!

As most of you have been, I’ve been pretty couped up inside the house because of  Antarctica paying us a visit.  As most good moms do, I decide to spend my time working on new sewing projects.  I have no idea what the kids have been doing, but I’ve been having a LOT of fun!  (I’m sort of kidding on this, don’t call CPS…yet.)

I’ve been making headband after headband after headband.  Seriously.  It’s getting kind of ridiculous, but I’m LOVING using up so many scraps of fabric and elastic!  I was having so much fun, that I thought some of you out there might like to join in on the excitement, too.  So, I’ve created 3 headband tutorials that you can make from scratch – you don’t need a pattern for any of these because you’ll just make your own!

Here’s a sampling of what’s coming:

Left to Right: how to make a simple headband with exposed elastic, how to make a simple headband with covered elastic, and how to make a shaped headband creating your own personalized pattern.

For today, I thought I’d start with the most basic.  Really, y’all…it’s ridiculous.  I’m calling it the RIDICULOUSLY EASY HEADBAND FOR RIDICULOUSLY COOL PEOPLE.

Supplies: Fabric -1 scrap piece  about 18″ x 4″ & a scrap piece of elastic about 5″ (thread, duh!)

Cut a strip of fabric however long and however wide you want. The finished headband will be narrower than half the width the cut, so keep this in mind. I cut mine at 4" wide knowing the finished width would be about 1.5". Then, I guessed on the length and cut it 18.5". I like the finished length for an adult. So, I cut my strip 4" X 18.5"....make it shorter if it will be for a kiddo! THEN - Press a fold all the way down the center - wrong sides together.

Next, press another fold (to the inside/wrong side) about 1/2" all the way down. There's no way I'm taking the time to really measure this, I just guess. If you're a more...let's say...meticulous sewer...then take your hem gauge and measure the same all the way down the side.

Yes mom, I’ve been biting my nails again.

It will look like this!

Then do the same thing to the other side!

At each end - fold your corners inside like this...this will keep any of your fabric fraying and sneaking out into the world!

Then, at both ends, fold in the outer edge just a bit to further encase those raw edges. Again...I don't measure this but you're welcome to if you're crazy ...I mean, meticulous enough!

Then, you simply fold the strip along that center fold line that you pressed.  You might need to adjust it a bit with your iron.  Then, cut a strip of elastic…again, I just guessed on the length at about 5″ and it turned out great.  I have a big head, so you might need shorter…just guess!  =)  Put one end of elastic into the opening of one side.  Sew closed using a zig-zag stitch.  Switch back to straight stitch and stitch down one side.  Insert the other end of the elastic into the other opening.  Sew closed with zig-zag stitch.  Switch back to straight stitch and sew up the second side.  done!

I'm borrowing this from tomorrow's tutorial - reversible ridiculously easy headband - but here you can see the tube holes where you'll instert the elastic.

And here is a shot of the elastic having been inserted and sewn...don't forget to clip all those threads!

Make It, Sell It..but by ALL MEANS WEAR IT!!! woo hoo!

cost: FREE – everything I used was from my scraps pile.

time: seriously, y’all – 8 minutes if you’re confident.  15 minutes if you’re a little reluctant.  awesome, huh!?!

coming up tomorrow::::::::

RIDICULOUSLY EASY REVERSIBLE HEADBAND!

Love me some Ric Rac!