Thursday, August 7, 2014

Braided Headband Tutorial

About a month ago I shared this picture when I blogged about going to our BFG girls book exchange...

At the party, my book was stolen the maximum number of times - and although it was a great book - I have a feeling it had more to do with the wrapping :)  I thought it looked too plain in just the brown paper and so I threw on a braided headband I had made earlier.  No one believed me when I said how easy it was and that I had made it out of old clothes - so I thought I'd share today just how easy it is!

When I clean out my closet I typically donate a bunch, but keep some with interesting fabrics/colors to use in crafting.  I pulled these shirts out of my stash yesterday and ended up only using the old pool cover-up on the top left.

I cut nine strips and no.... the width doesn't matter.  This fabric was really "gauzey" and so I made them a little wider.  They don't have to be even or straight or anything like that.

Once they were cut, I braided them.... so I had three braids.  If you wanted your headband to only have two braids - only cut 6 pieces.... if you wanted 4 braids, cut 12 strips, etc.


After I had my braids ready, I cut a small strip of elastic...

I sewed the braids to the elastic.... except after I took this pic my machine got jammed and I had to rethread the entire thing.  So if you decide to make one, put the elastic on top and it will be easier to sew.

I sewed one end to the elastic and then put it around my head to measure.  After I figured out how long it needed to be I sewed the other ends down to the elastic.

I trimmed off the ends of the elastic and ends of the braids and VOILA! DONE!

When you're done it's time to take horrible selfies of yourself wearing it!  You can smoosh all the braids together to make one wide band... 

... or space them out a bit.


I love this project because there really are endless options.  You could do all the same color fabric, you could braid the three braids together, you could use multiple strips to make up one strand of your braid, etc.  I've used t-shirts before as well and they work really well too.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you could easily hand sew the braids to the elastic as well!

So, go find some old clothes and start braiding! :)

33 comments :

  1. Fabulous idea! Your creativity knows no bounds!!!

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  2. What?? Andrea you made that sound so easy but after pulling my sewing machine down from the attic, I'd be a sweating hot mess!!! And...I'd still have all the work to do!! Hahaha!

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    1. I didn't even know you had a sewing machine!!! Maybe wait until it cools down a bit and then make some :) hahaha

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  3. this is AWESOME! i know what i can do with some of my skinnier fabric scraps now!

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    1. YAY! So glad you like it! Send me a pic if you end up making some! dave-and-andrea@hotmail.com

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  4. Andrea...this is why I call you Super Mom. You make this look so simple and easy (which it probably is for someone who isn't as craft-challenged as me!). Love these bands!! Love them!

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    1. Hahaha. IF you had a sewing machine I'm sure you'd be cranking them out left and right! :) Right??? hehehehe LOVE my craft-challenged friend!

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  5. Craft tutorials with "it doesn't have to be straight" & "it doesn't matter how long" are my absolute favorite!!! These look super easy & are soooo cute! Definitely doing this!

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    1. YAY! They're my favorite too. Dave was all, "aren't you going to measure with a ruler???"
      "Ummmm. No." hahahaha
      If you end up making some send me a pic! dave-and-andrea@hotmail.com

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  6. I have NO words for how creative you are! You rock girl

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  7. Girl....you are just so creative! I just love reading your blog every day and seeing all your fun crafts!

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  8. Nice! You should make one for Griffin so you can match!

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    1. I had that thought, too! I may have to do that this weekend. Y'all know I'm a sucker for matching! :)

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  9. I love this, and I love you. I mean, of course, you find time to make braided headbands out of old pool coverups--so fun!!

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  10. Is there no end to your creativity? Those look amazing. I'll have to try them for my girls. Thanks for the tutorial! Have a great rest of the week :)

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  11. You do rock....I don't know you....and I can't believe all you just on this blog!!!

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  12. You amaze me! I wish I was half as talented and creative as you :) I love reading your blog.

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  13. These are awesome! I'm going to make some for my 9 year old who has outgrown bows, but would LOVE these big girl-looking headbands!! She has to wear a uniform to school so these would add some fun to her outfit! Thank you!!

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  14. You amaze me. I don't know where you find the time to do all you do. AND, I think you are MARLA!!!

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  15. This is so cute! And I especially love the easy, no straight lines or measuring part! You're speaking my language. These will definitely be added to my crafty to-do list. Thanks for sharing your beautiful projects! -Jess

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  16. I'm in love. Heading to my closet now! I'm sure I have something that is screaming "cut me up!"

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  17. These are adorable! Thanks for sharing :)

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  18. These are so fun - and I have to agree with the commenter who said "Craft tutorials with "it doesn't have to be straight" & "it doesn't matter how long" are my absolute favorite!!!" - Truth!

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  19. what a great idea, you have the best crafts!

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  20. ok now i need to get a sewing machine! love these! great gift ideas too!!!

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  21. How creative!!! I love this! If only I knew how to sew, I would make myself one :)

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  22. Learning how to sew has been on my "to-do" list for a while now! This cute and simple project just might be bumping it up on my "to-do" list now! Love it! :) thanks for sharing!

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  23. OMG!! Cutest thing ever!! These are so adorable & love how you can use something we already own! So perfect! ...now about that sewing machine...or sewing at all...need to learn how haha! ;)

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  24. Dang! Those are so cute! I'll be making one soon!

    Becky
    @bybmg
    bybmg.blogspot.com

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