DIY Scrunchies with Bows
Create these DIY adorable scrunchies with bows for the perfect hair accessory all year round. When you’re done, check out these DIY flower hair accessories too. This post contains affiliate links.
Don’t you love the satisfying feeling of making something yourself that you can really use and enjoy? Of course you do, that’s why you’re here.
And you also know that it’s even better when your creation looks like something worth buying in a store – except you didn’t have to pay, and you got to have it customized your way. That’s what I call winning.
Today’s project, DIY scrunchies with bows, is definitely in that category. This style of scrunchie is cute and trendy – I’m seeing them on ponytails and buns everywhere, and now you can have one that you made yourself in a fabric you love.
Not only that – it’s a fabulous beginner sewing project to learn to sew on!
In fact, you don’t even need to go out and buy fabric for this one – hair ties are small, so you can likely find scraps from another project that can be used for this instead of going to waste.
You can customize it further by tie-dying cotton fabric for the project. Or, work with fat quarters to get loads of fun designs in just the right quantity.
This project will be easiest with a sewing machine, but you can do it by hand too if you have patience. It’s a great, simple beginner project if you’re still just learning how to use a sewing machine or if you’re teaching a kid how to sew.
Technically, you can make it “no sew” by using fabric glue, but why not learn how to sew the real way? Find more beginner machine projects for kids here.
What you need:
- Fabric of your choice
- Erasable fabric marker (or tailor’s chalk)
- Ruler
- Good fabric scissors
- Needle or sewing machine – You can read up on my favorite sewing machines for kids and the best sewing machines for beginner sewers if you don’t own one yet.
- Thread (preferably one that matches the fabric)
- ¼ inch Elastic
- Safety pins
How to make DIY Scrunchies with Bows
1. First, we need to measure the fabric for the main part of the scrunchie and mark it off. The fabric used in the example shown was 34 cm x 8 cm (about 13.5 x 3 inches). If you make the fabric longer, then the scrunchie will be more ruffled. If you enjoy this activity, you can experiment by making a few to see what style you like best!
Usually I recommend following the instructions more closely the first time you make it before experimenting!
Cut the fabric along the marked lines.
2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise (meaning that the 8cm/3in side is getting folded in half, while the longer side remains long) and sew the open sides together lengthwise. Do not sew the short sides!
3. Turn it inside-out so that you have a tube with the edges on the inside and the outside looking smooth.
4. Measure and cut a piece of elastic about ⅓ the length of the fabric.
Use a safety pin to attach the elastic to one of the open ends of the fabric tube. Attach another safety pin to the other end of the elastic without pinning it to anything else.
5. Slide the loose end of the elastic into the fabric tube. Use the safety pin to pull the elastic all the way through the tube and out the other side. You will need to scrunch up the fabric in order for the elastic to reach the other end.
6. Hold onto both ends of the elastic and take off both safety pins without letting go of the elastic. Sew the ends of the elastic together.
7. Sew the open sides of the fabric using either a sewing machine or a regular needle, whichever you find easier. I recommend tucking in the raw ends, tucking one side into the other, and then sewing over those closed ends.
8. Next, we’ll prepare a piece of fabric for the bow part. Measure a rectangle of fabric and then round the ends. Ours is 7 cm x 15 cm (about 3 x 6 inches)
9. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and sew the edges together, leaving one of the shorter ends open.
10. Turn the fabric inside-out through the open end.
11. Stitch the open end closed. Pass the bow fabric through the center of the scrunchie, so that it’s centered.
12. Tie the ends of the bow fabric into a knot around the scrunchie. You can make a double knot to make it more secure. You can glue or stitch it shut if you want it rock solid.
Tada! All done! And that was so easy, you can go back to step 1 and make another one to go with each of your favorite outfits!
How to Sew Bow Scrunchies
Materials
- Fabric of your choice
- Erasable fabric marker (or tailor’s chalk)
- Ruler
- Fabric scissors
- Needle or sewing machine
- Thread (preferably one that matches the fabric)
- ¼ inch Elastic
- Safety pins
Instructions
1. Measure 34 cm x 8 cm (about 13.5 x 3 inches) of the fabric for the main part of the scrunchie and mark it off. If you make the fabric longer, then the scrunchie will be more ruffled. Cut the fabric along the marked lines.
2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise (meaning that the 8cm/3in side is getting folded in half, while the longer side remains long) and sew the open sides together lengthwise. Do not sew the short sides!
3. Turn it inside-out so that you have a tube with the edges on the inside and the outside looking smooth.
4. Measure and cut a piece of elastic about ⅓ the length of the fabric. Use a safety pin to attach the elastic to one of the open ends of the fabric tube. Attach another safety pin to the other end of the elastic without pinning it to anything else.
5. Slide the loose end of the elastic into the fabric tube. Use the safety pin to pull the elastic all the way through the tube and out the other side. You will need to scrunch up the fabric in order for the elastic to reach the other end.
6. Hold onto both ends of the elastic and take off both safety pins without letting go of the elastic. Sew the ends of the elastic together.
7. Sew the open sides of the fabric using either a sewing machine or a regular needle, whichever you find easier. I recommend tucking in the raw ends, tucking one side into the other, and then sewing over those closed ends.
8. Next, we’ll prepare a piece of fabric for the bow part. Measure a rectangle of fabric and then round the ends. Ours is 7 cm x 15 cm (about 3 x 6 inches)
9. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and sew the edges together, leaving one of the shorter ends open.
10. Turn the fabric inside-out through the open end.
11. Stitch the open end closed. Pass the bow fabric through the center of the scrunchie, with an even length on both sides.
12. Tie the ends of the bow fabric into a knot around the scrunchie. You can make a double knot to make it more secure.
