So Sew Something!

Before doing anything to change the width or the length, fold the strip lengthwise.

Start by measuring the crown of your head from just behind your ear, up over the top, all the way to the same point on the other ear. I use a string/rick rack.

Measure that length with measuring tape. (You can use measuring tape from the beginning, but I felt more confident using something made of fabric since my headband will be made of fabric)

Cut a strip of fabric 1" longer than the length you measured. For the width, just make it wide! You're going to begin the trial-and-error part of creating your pattern. You want to cut it too big so that you can cut it down to size. If you start too small, you just have to start all over again.

You should end up with something like this!

Now, go in front of a mirror and "try it on" for size. You're checking for both the length and width that you prefer. For mine, I made a mental note that I wanted it narrower, but I liked the length. (I'm just holding it with my hands behind my ears)

before doing anything about the width or length, fold the strip in half as shown - bringing the short ends together.

Now fold the strip, lengthwise, bringing the long ends together. This way, when you go to make changes to the shape and size, both sides will be mirror images.

Now you can create your desired shape...cut along the unfolded edge! You can see that I started narrow and then made it wider at the upper center. When I unfold the strip, you'll see that it's the same left and right and top and bottom.

Tada!

Here's where you are making a pattern so that you can make more of these without having to go through all the trial and error. Just grab a sheet of scrap paper. Fold the headband strip in half so that you'll create your pattern from just half the band. See the next photo!

YOu can see I've created "half" a headband for my pattern and have indicated along the foldline to "cut on the fold" just like a commercial pattern would do. Now you can go ahead and cut one more headband strip so that you'll have 2 identical pieces. Set your pattern paper aside. (Once you're finished, if you need to make changes, you can mark them on the pattern paper)

Now we move on to the elastic casing. This time, measure underneath your hairline from ear to ear.

Now cut a strip for the elastic using that measurement plus 1" for seam allowances. Again, i just guessed on the width - keeping in mind that you'll fold this in half and will also need a seam allowance. It will still be pretty narrow unless you want to use crazy wide elastic!

Using another piece of scrap paper, cut out the elastic casing strip for a pattern just like you did for the headband. (After you've finished your headband, you can make changes to this if it need to be longer, wider, shorter, etc)

Now, let's get sewing! Put your paper pattern aside. Here is what you will be working with - 2 identical headband strips and 1 elastic strip.

Place your headband pieces right sides together. I've drawn the sewing lines on the fabric to make it easier for you see where to leave the opening. When you create your headband, you don't have to draw these lines! You can see there's a hole at the top, and the ends are left free as well.

Sew all the seams as indicated. Leave the necessary opening on the headband. For the elastic casing, fold right sides together and sew together lengthwise leaving the ends free.

trim the seams of your casing and turn right side out.

press your seams!

cut your elastic...of course, I guess on this meaurement!

Insert elastic into the casing strip

sew elastic to the edges using a tight zig zag stitch. (sorry for the shadow!)

Grab one end of the elastic casing with a long safety pin...

Pull the elastic casing through the hole in the headband, until it barely extends past one of the open ends.

Using a zigzag stitch, sew the casing to the edge of the headband side like shown.

reach inside and grab the other end of the casing. Put the safety pin thru it to guide to to the other end of the headband on the inside. Let it just peek out, and sew closed with a zig zag stitch. The headband will crinkle up like shown.

You can see the start of the casing coming out here...just pull it on out!

Here it is all turned out - SO EXCITING, HUH!?! - Now you have to press your seams. As you do this, you tuck the seam allowance of the opening to the inside, so that when you topstitch over it, it seals up!

Notice the seams are encased on the inside! GORGEOUS!!!! I'm salivating.

Oh the difference a hot iron makes! I'm a sucker for a nicely pressed seam!

Add your topstiching, then try it on for size! (If you don't like topstitching, you can hand sew the opening closed. If you've figured me out at all, you know there's no way I'm doing it by hand!) Also, this is the moment of truth for your sizing. The headband may or may not fit depending upon how accurately you were able to take your measurements, allow for seam allowances, etc. For mine, I was able to get it on, but I felt like it needed to be a tad looser. So, I went to my pattern and made an adjustment...

Notice on the right, I added a note to myself to increase the length of the casing strip by 1/2". Now I'm DONE! Now I have a pattern to make this whole process so much faster next time!

Of course, I couldn't stop there...I made another using all the tricks - reversible with rick rack!