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 Tie Pattern
Your downloadable bow template. Make sure the test square measures 2x2 inches (5.1cm) for accurate sizing.
The pattern will open in a new window. If you are new to printing, then read my article on how to print PDF patterns.
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.
- 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.
- How to Make Fabric Bows - These fabric bows can be glued or stitched to alligator clips or combs.
- How to Make a Ribbon Bow - Ribbons can be used to make all kinds of bows to attach to hair clips.
- DIY Hair Accessories – Easy Hair Clips to Make in Under 10 Minutes
- Felt Bow Template - Oversized felt bows can be attached to clips and headbands for a fashion statement.
- DIY Fabric Flowers
- Cloth Flower Making
- 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.
- How to Make a Scrunchie - This tutorial shows you 2 sizes of scrunchie to make.
- DIY Fabric Bow for Clothing
- DIY Felt Bow
DIY Hair Ties
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.
mercy
i love this
Cheri Mello
👍🏼👏🏼♥️SUPER CUTE 🥰! Thanks For Sharing!! I WEAR SCRUNCHIES Sometimes, If My Hair GETS TOO long and gets Hot On My Neck Or , Etc. Running Around.. 👍🏼And Grand daughters WILL LIKE these💕G-d♥️Bless😊
JD
Great tutorial! I've done a similar project and love the bright assortment of elastics that you can buy
Rebekah McMillan
I've made this a couple times in my after school program and summer camp programs and it works wonderful! It's super easy and if you have crazy kids you can skip the top stitch and even if they don't turn out perfect the kids still love them. I get them to work on their cutting skills with this activity and it's nice because it doesn't take too long so they have something they can take home at the end of the day. I'd suggest this activity to anyone.
Treasurie
So glad to hear it worked so well. Yes I'd love you to share it with your group.
Diane
HI. I tried your bow pattern. Its so cute. I'm a lunch lady and I have long hair I need to tie up and I'm looking for cute things that I can put in my hair this year. This kids Like seeing us lunch ladies creative side. lol. I'm going to share this in my group if that is Ok.
Treasurie
Hi Tawnya, thanks for all the amazing feedback. If you want shiny bows you could try a tightly woven silk or polyester fabric instead of ribbon.
Tawnya Day
I made 2 of these and they are so cute!! I can't wait till I find my "Cute stash" of material so I can make more! I put it away in a tote for "just the right projects" and now can't remember where it is exactly. lol. Good excuse to run to get more! lol.
I have a really adorable wide grosgrain ribbon in a rainbow color and so I cut the pattern down to the size that would fit, but it frayed so bad that I couldn't turn it inside out. Oh well. I'll just have to make that ribbon into the ribbon bows I seen a few pages over. lol.
Anyway, I will take a look around your site and see what other goodies you are offering to show us! Thanks so much for your time to teach us how to make all these cute things!
hugs!