Easy Headband Tutorial and Pattern!

I love the look of headbands!  I just can’t stand the hard plastic ones biting into my head like they do.  I’ve been looking for a good pattern for a cloth one, and haven’t found one that I liked.  Then I saw one my sister was given for her birthday one year, and decided I wanted to make one too.  I used that as a pattern to create my own.  Here’s the inspiration piece.

It’s just the right thickness, and narrows on the sides.  I tried making one with the ribbon like in the picture, but it came untied about five thousand times.  I had to ask my husband to either hold my hair out of the way, or to tie it…and let’s just say that it was too much of a hassle! :)  I decided to use elastic, but then I realized it wouldn’t match.  And THEN I had an epiphany!  I would cut up the elastic headbands that you can buy in the store, and I could get colors to slightly match the headbands (and be more comfy too!)

There’s my finished product. 

(I would show you my whole face, but I promised my husband that if I had a blog I wouldn’t show pictures of us and our faces…so just imagine a smiling girl with naturally curly hair. :)

Want to make your own?  Well today’s your luck day!  I’ve made a tutorial, and even a printable pattern for you!  I haven’t figured out how to make the pattern downloadable for you though, so if you want it, leave your email in the comments and I’ll get it sent to you!  (If you’d like your comment deleted so your email isn’t up on cyberspace, just let me know and I can do that for you!:)

You’ll need:

Headband Pattern (leave your email in the comments and I’ll get it to you!:)

A scrap of fabric (I’ve estimated that 1/4 yard makes about 2 headbands)

Elastic Headband  pictured later in the post

Iron

Sewing Machine/thread…blah blah….

First, cut out your material with the pattern.  (I cut bigger than the blue pattern for seam allowances, but I adapted the printable pattern for this…if I email you with one I’ll explain more thoroughly! :)

Fold right sides together and pin.

Plug in your iron.

Sew the long side with about a 1/4 inch seam allowance to make a long tube.

 

Turn the tube so the right side is out!

Iron the tube so the seam is in the middle and facing you.  We’re doing this so the seam will be against your head and won’t show when you’re wearing it!  If you have a pattern on the headband that you want shown, you can adjust the seam to be more to one side if needed.

Close up of seam being in the middle.

You have 2 raw edges.

Fold them under so they look like this on each end.

 

Now we’re ready to put the elastic in!  Here’s one of the sets of headbands I used.  I used the “Creamsicle Cupcake,” colors and the “Starry Night,” colors.  “Starry Night,” is a mix of browns, golds, and black which I really like.  They were three dollars for 6 headbands at walmart. There are really thin headbands, really thick ones, and middle ones.  I chose the middle thickness.  One head band is big enough to make 2 headbands and have a bit left over for another project.

Cut about a 7 inch piece of elastic headband.

Stick the elastic inside the end of your headband on one side. (Once you’ve sewn one side, you’ll do this exact thing with the other side).

Sew at about 1/4 inch seam allowance.  I changed my needle position all the way right or left depending on which side of the headband I was sewing on to make it easier.  If your machine has a hard time getting over the “bump,” to your elastic, find something flat and narrow to put under your foot near the back of your machine.  You could use a small ruler, piece of cardboard, plastic knife, etc.  (I have a tool that came with my machine for that).  It will just tilt your presser foot so it doesn’t have to “climb.” If that made no sense, let me know and I can take a pic for you!

Once you’ve sewn one side, put the other end of elastic in the other end of the headband (make sure your elastic doesn’t get twisted!), and sew it as well.

You’re done!  Now you can make 20 to give to friends for fun! :)

Linking to these parties.

As always, comment if you have questions!

Hoo Are You Tuesday!

Soo… I already posted today, yes I know.  But I forgot that today’s a “Hoo Are You Tuesday.”  They are lots of fun, so I am posting twice today so I can learn more about all you bloggers out there.  This week’s questions are super fun, and I didn’t want to miss out.  Here we go!

1. Do you prefer to write in cursive or print?  I kinda mix it up sometimes!  I write in cursive in my journal, but I usually print in everything else. :)

2. Do you prefer to shop online or go out and actually
go to the stores? It depends.  I like to shop online to get ideas for shirt refashions, but to actually buy stuff  (like clothes) I like to go to the stores.  Then I can know that it’s exactly what I want!  (Oh, I guess I bought my computer online, but that doesn’t really count does it?)

3. Would you prefer to go camping or stay in a motel?  I like staying in motels, but I haven’t been camping in like 5 years and would like to go again soon!

4. Do your prefer going to the movies or staying
home to watch one?  I like staying home and being comfy.  I can barely sit through a whole movie, so I can take as many intermissions as I want at home! :)

5. Do you prefer a shower or a bath?  Showers are fast and easy, but I’ve found that if I have a bath every now and then it keeps my headaches from coming! (What a great discovery, I tell ya!)

I’m off to go find my cell phone (lost it AGAIN), and then off to a day of random adventures!  Be sure to come back tomorrow.  I’ve got a great project ready to post for you! 

My Version of the Petal T-Shirt

I saw the petal t-shirt tutorial on Ruffles and Stuff a couple months ago, and then I saw this version a couple days ago.  I knew I had to try it.  I ended up using a plain black t-shirt for the base, and then I cut up a pink undershirt I never wear, and a green and a yellow t-shirt my mom got from school and gave me.  Thanks mom!  Here’s what I did with it.  I love how the ruffle ties the shirt together with the black, and how the petals curl where they want.  The shirt fits a tad big, so I may tailor it down once I’ve washed and dried it a few times.

Down East Ocean Front Dress

A couple months ago, Down East had a tent sale in my area.  I decided to go check it out.  I didn’t find anything exciting, but as I was leaving I noticed the workers unpacking more boxes.  I stuck around and waited, and I found this dress.

(no, the picture isn’t of me…)

It was $7.00.  All because a seam right under the bust line had come undone.  I didn’t even know if that size would quite fit me, but I decided that if the top didn’t, it’s make a super cute brown skirt.  I took it home, tried it on, and it fit perfectly!  I grabbed some brown thread, and a needle, and 5 minutes later the dress was good as new.  Next time you’re out shopping, keep your eyes out for something “ruined,” that may be mend-able!

Scrappy Summer Wallet

Here’s a picture of the wallet I made to match the purse organizer.  I love it!  Click here for the tutorial from Lola Nova. 

This tutorial was pretty easy, but I lined up the panels wrong and ended up sewing the ruffle to the back of the wallet.  I simply glued a ruffle on the front, and nobody knows but me and you! :) 

This wallet has room for my cash (I did alter the pattern a little to make one long pocket and two card sized ones), and cards.  If I made this again, I would probably put interfacing in all the panels, just to make it more sturdy.  I plan to make a zipper pouch for extra gift cards, and an additional one for all that spare change.  (But we’ll see when I have time to do that!) ha!

Doily T-shirt with Super Cute Sleeves

  (I didn’t take a before pic, but here’s the link to other colors)

I cleaned out my closet last week and got rid of nearly 20 shirts that I never wear anymore (or they’re so gross I SHOULDN’T be wearing anymore).  I spent a few days combing my town’s stores, and found almost nothing.  I found 1 shirt at Target.  I found several great deals on plain colored t-shirts, but my sister said that I needed a closet intervention and was no longer allowed to buy plain colored t-shirts. :)  So I passed those sale racks, and continued searching.  I still found nothing.  I even took my sister shopping with me so she could help me with this intervention.  She finally said it would be okay for me to buy plain colors if I made them over.  So that’s what I did!  

(side view so you can see the sleeves)

I bought this shirt at Target for $6.00, and the doily for $1.99ish at Joann’s.  I tried the shirt on, stuck the doily where I wanted it, pinned it while I was still wearing the shirt, and then sewed the doily.  I didn’t make a tutorial, but I used this one from I am Momma, Hear Me Roar for the inspiration.  I just went around in different spots around the doily until I felt it was secure.  I didn’t bother to cut threads after each set of stitches, I just pulled the threads and trimmed threads at the end of the process.  Then I cut the bottom inch and a half off, re-hemmed the shirt, and used the bottom strip for the strips on the sleeves.  I made two strips, pinned them to the shoulder, tried it on, and tacked them on.  I could add some buttons if I wanted to find cream ones, but I probably never will.  I’m sure I’ll do this again to another set of sleeves sometime.  If you want a tutorial, just holler!

Linking to these parties!

Hoo are You Tuesday!

I’ve been out of the loop for a couple weeks, but here’s the latest “Hoo are You Tuesday.”  Stay tuned, I have a fabulous T-shirt scheduled to be posted tomorrow.  I think it’s my favorite so far. :)

1. What is your favorite flavor?  I love fruity flavors.  Probably Raspberry or Peach are my favorite.  Oh, but don’t forget Mango.  I Love Mango (especially Mango Kool-aid)!

2. What was or is your favorite subject in school?  Well, I’m currently studying Special Education and love it.  But in general, I love English and writing papers.  (Writing papers…yes). :)

3. What are some of your hobbies?  I love to read, play the clarinet, find good deals on clothes to refashion, sew, make beaded necklaces, sing, blog, help people, play with children, try new (easy) recipes.  I love try new things and learn stuff, but am not really adventure-y. :)

4. Do you prefer fruits or vegetables?  FRUITS.  Enough Said.

5. What color of eyes do you have?  I have green eyes.