DIY Zipper Headbands * Moms and Crafters

Make these adorable DIY zipper headbands as a quirky and fun fashion accessory! You can even stack them – wear more than one at once – just like with the zipper bracelets I shared not long ago.

I planned to make these using a simple elastic and a few stitches, but after turning my craft “room” upside down for days, I simply could not find it. I therefore experimented with two versions: One that ties with a ribbon underneath, and one that is on a solid metal headband.

The solid headband worked out a little better, and is more durable. The only drawback: you can see the headband through the open zipper.

The ribbon one is less durable, and you have a big ribbon underneath. But when you wear it with your hair down, you can’t see the ribbon, and the zipper sits nicely on the hair. If you’d like to try it, I definitely recommend using a longer zipper than the nine-inch one that I used. That way you have less ribbon in the way.

Regardless, go ahead and give these fun zipper headbands a try. It’s pretty simple, and the metal version incorporates some very basic jewelry making skills (photographed below.)

What you need to make DIY zipper headbands:

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Zippers in your favorite colors. I used 9 inch ones let over from the bracelets, but longer ones might do better for this project. You can always trim it.
Ribbon end crimps (I used regular end crimps, but wider ribbon ones will be easier to use if you have them handy, or if you’re buying it special for this project.
Scissors
Clear or coordinating nail polish
(Version 1) metal headbands
(Version 1) 24 gauge wire
(Version 1) E6000 glue
(Version 2) 2 strong jump rings
(Version 2) Coordinating or complementary satin ribbon – aim for a narrower width, such as 1/4 inch.

How to make zipper headbands:

Cut off the edging of the ribbon of the zipper, up to the zipper itself.

3. Seal the edges from fraying further using nail polish. You can read more about this hack here.

4. Place a ribbon crimp over one end of the zipper and trim. If you are using most of the length of the zipper, place it over the metal stopper to hide it.

5. Do this on the other end as well.

6. Version 1: Insert your wire into the hold of the crimp, and use that to twist one side of the zipper onto your headband. Make sure to position it before you wrap it on tightly.

7. Place a strip of E6000 glue along half the headband where the zipper will go. This is enough to keep it in place, and still allows you to open the zipper halfway.

8. Repeat step 6 on the other side and your headband is complete!

6. Version 2: place a strong jump ring into the crimps on each side.

7. Thread your ribbon through both the jump rings from the inside outward. Leave your ribbon long enough so that it goes underneath your head (with the zipper on top), down again and ties on the bottom. Trim and prevent the edges from fraying with a bit of nail polish.