DIY Hair Ties: Bow Hairbands {Free Pattern}

Make some of these pretty DIY hair ties to match your favorite outfits. Learn how to make hair ties and tame your unruly hair with something beautiful. These fabric hair ties are perfect for using up small scrap fabrics and can attach to any kind of elastic, including a scrunchie.

DIY Hair Tie Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to make a hair tie with a cute bow and includes a printable template pdf. This is an easy beginner sewing project.

DIY Hair Tie Supplies

• Elastic hair ties - You can use any kind or color. I like the snagless ones without the metal piece, as they don't catch in my daughter's hair. I found lots of multicolored packs at my local discount store at a cheap price. Fold-over elastic could also be used to make these DIY hair bow ties.
• Scraps of fabric - Cotton quilting fabric works the best. Choose a cotton fabric with small prints so they show up on the bows. I also like to use different contrasting fabrics for the back and front of the bow.
• Sewing machine
• Sewing basics, including scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, thread, needle, and pins.
• Printable bow hair ties template

DIY Hair Ties Video Tutorial

Watch this few minutes video on making DIY hair ties. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more weekly sewing and crafting videos.

How to Make Fabric Hair Ties - Step by Step Instructions

Here is how to make this bow knot hair tie:

Step 1 - Cut Template

Cut 2 pieces of fabric from the template in your pattern piece. The template is fairly small, so try and cut and sew accurately. It looks nice if you use a different color fabric for the front and back.

Step 2 - Stitch the Seam

Put the front and back with right sides together and stitch around with a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance. Leave a 2-inch (5cm) gap on one side in the middle, as shown in the video.

Sewing machine settings: Length 2-2.5, straight stitch.

Clip the curves and the ends. I like to use pinking shears to reduce bulk. Just make sure to leave the gap untrimmed.

Turn the bow to the right side and give it a good press. It is fairly small, so you will probably need a chopstick or other blunt instrument to help turn it and poke out the corners. I have a blunt pair of scissors I use.

Step 3 - Topstitch the Bow

Make sure the seam allowance at the gap is pressed neatly to the inside. Topstitch around the edge, and this will close the gap. Alternatively, if you don't like stitching around the edge, simply hand-stitch the gap closed with an invisible stitch.

Step 4 - Tie the Bow to the Elastic

Now grab your hair and tie the bow around it. You just need a single knot. A double knot is too much and will make the bow too small. You can tie it so both sides of the bow are the same color or twist one side around to the contrast color on the back.

It is a little fiddly, so just take your time and get the look you would like. Pull tight.

Design Idea: Instead of tying the bow around an elastic, why not tie it around a scrunchie. (Read how to make a scrunchie)

More DIY Hair Tie Tutorials

Thanks for reading my DIY hair ties tutorials. If you like making hair accessories then here are some more to try. Hair accessories make great presents and are perfect for selling at craft fairs.

1. How to Line an Alligator Clip - Alligator clips are great for adding bow on top. They are easy to line with grosgrain ribbons in assorted colors.
2. How to Make Fabric Bows - These fabric bows can be glued or stitched to alligator clips or combs.
3. How to Make a Ribbon Bow - Ribbons can be used to make all kinds of bows to attach to hair clips.
4. DIY Hair Accessories – Easy Hair Clips to Make in Under 10 Minutes
5. Felt Bow Template - Oversized felt bows can be attached to clips and headbands for a fashion statement.
6. DIY Fabric Flowers
7. Cloth Flower Making
8. How to Stop Ribbon from Fraying - When making bow styles of diy hair ties from ribbon, it is important to stop your ribbon from fraying.
9. How to Make a Scrunchie - This tutorial shows you 2 sizes of scrunchie to make.
10. DIY Fabric Bow for Clothing
11. DIY Felt Bow

DIY Hair Ties

Learn how to make hair ties with a cute bow. Free pattern and great projet for beginners.

4.8/5 - (50 votes)

Print Pin

Difficulty: Easy Beginner

Keyword: Sewing Patterns

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Tools

• Sewing Basics
• Elastic Hair Tie

Materials

• Fabric

Instructions

• Download the free pattern and cut 2 tie pieces from cotton fabric.
  
• Place the pieces with right sides together and stitch with a ¼ inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 inch gap where indicated on the pattern.
  
• Clip the corners and curves and turn the right way out through the gap. Press well.
  
• Tie around an elastic hair band and pull tight.