Stretchy T-Shirt Headband: Free Pattern

OK, I have short hair...so headbands and me really don't go together. But I do wear one to work out. The only problem is that some are too tight or they slide off my head. So I went online and looked around for free patterns and didn't find anything that I really liked. I ended up borrowing from Kraftie Katie and from someone else (a pattern that I saw online about six years ago...that I can't find). Here's what I ended up with:

SUPPLIES:
-- 1/3 yard of knit fabric: Something like a t-shirt! I used a heavier knit and one from a shirt that I made.
-- 1 hair bands like these 

About knits...they stretch in different directions and to different lengths, so test the stretch. My thicker (ribbed) knit was really stretchy. The thinner pink wasn't. They both work fine - one just stretches more when I put it on. Learn more about knits from Tilly and the Buttons.

Here we go:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric 6" x 21" (I measured my head and used that number).


This is the heavier, ribbed knit.

 2. With RST and using a 1/4" seam, sew along the the long ends creating a tube. 

I use my walking foot so the fabric doesn't stretch.



You'll end up with two tubes. 

3. Turn them right side out.

 4. Place them seam side up as shown.










 

 5.  Make sure the ends look like this.

6. Then fold them like this. The seam should be on the inside.

7. Then fold the ends like this and join them together.

 8. Baste in layers together. It doesn't need to be perfect.

9. Fold over hair band and zig-zag over end - the zig zag will hide your raw edges. 

This was REALLY thick, so I had to change to my regular foot. 

Test out the length. If needed, fold over more.....


10. Make sure the band isn't twisted and then repeat for the other side.

This one is a lot heavier. Slides a bit on my short, straight hair. 

















This one is thinner and works better for my hair and small head!









Time to head outside and test them out!