How to Make a Scrunchie {6 sizes & Bow} DIY Scrunchie

This tutorial will teach you how to make a scrunchie, and DIY scrunchie in 6 sizes as well as give you a scrunchie pattern for a bow. These fabric-covered elastics are great for holding back your hair and preventing split and damaged ends. And what gymnastic or dance outfit would be complete without a matching scrunchie?

How to Make a Scrunchie Tutorial

This how to make a scrunchie tutorial will show you how to make this popular hair accessory in 6 sizes with either a hand stitch or sewing machine stitch.

This how to make a Scrunchie tutorial has the following options:

• 6 SIZES - The smaller sizes have less fabric and slightly shorter elastic for a more subtle effect. The larger scrunchie sizea are more of a traditional design where you see lots of fluffy, gathered fabric around your hair. 
• How to Make a Scrunchie with a Sewing Machine
• How to Make a Scrunchie by Hand
• No-Sew Scrunchie Instructions
• Printable Scrunchie Pattern for a Bow

If you are a beginner sewer, then learning to make your own scrunchie is a fantastic project to start with. Scrunchies also make really nice gifts, as you can personalize them by selecting the perfect fabric for your friend or family member.

What is a Scrunchie?

A scrunchie is a fabric-covered hairband with gathered fabric on the outside and a hidden elastic inside. They are great for matching your outfit and adding a pop of color to your hair.

Best of all, because no elastic can snag or tear your hair, they promote silky, healthy hair. Scrunchies are coming back in a big way and even my local paper had an article in it about all the scrunchies on the designer catwalks this season. Fashion always comes back around.

You can put the scrunchie around the top of a ponytail, a bun, or the bottom of a plait. 

Supplies to DIY Hair Scrunchie

So what materials do you need to make a scrunchie the easy way? Here are all the supplies you need to make a scrunchie - 

• PIN - Large safety pin to thread the elastic.
• FABRIC - Cotton is easiest to sew. Use a fat quarter to make numerous scrunchies.
• ELASTIC - ¼ inch (6mm) wide elastic
• HAND SEWING - Hand needle and strong thread
• FOR MACHINE SEWING - Sewing machine, all-purpose foot, thread.
• NO-SEW - Fabric glue.
• SEWING BASICS - Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat.

What Fabric is Best for Scrunchies

The best thing about making DIY hair scrunchies is that it uses the smallest scrap of fabric. Rummage around your fabric scraps bin (yes, I know you have one that is overflowing) for long-shaped scraps.

You can use any type of fabric, including silk fabric, cotton or Lycra fabric. Try and choose a fabric that is lightweight so you can get a nice gathered effect around the elastic. 

Slippery fabrics like polyester or silk tend to fall out of hair more easily, so look for fabrics like quilting cotton that will grab the hair slightly. On the other hand, a silk scrunchie won't pull or damage hair.

Crushed Velvet looks expensive and dramatic but is a little harder to sew as it tends to stretch a little. Use this once you have made a few from regular cotton fabric.

When looking at fabric patterns and different types of fabric, consider that you will be cutting a narrow strip. Look for small motifs such as tiny flowers, spots, and stripes. Also, for the perfect scrunchie, think about whether you want a subtle or bold color that will compliment your skin tone and hair color. 

What Elastic is Best for Scrunchies

The best type of elastic is knit and braided elastics. Choose a soft flexible elastic in ¼ inch (6mm) widths. Woven elastic tends to be a little firm for scrunchie making.

DIY Scrunchie Measurements & Scrunchie Sizes

Scrunchies are made from a rectangle of fabric. So what are the measurements for making a scrunchie? Here is a scrunchie size chart:

SIZE	CUT FABRIC	CUT ELASTIC
Extra Small	2.5x18" (6.5x46cm)	6" (15cm)
Small	2.5x20" (6.5x51cm)	8" (20cm)
Medium	3x21" (7.5x53cm)	8.5" (21.5cm)
Large	3.5x22" (9x56cm)	9" (23cm)
Extra Large (Jumbo Scrunchies)	5x26" (13x66cm)	12" (30.5cm)
Extra Extra Large (Oversized Scrunchie)	5x28" (13x71cm)	13" (33cm)

Make Your Own Scrunchie Size Formula:

If you are looking for a particular size scrunchie, you can make your own pattern. For the elastic, choose your finished size and add ½ inch for the overlap.

Cut the fabric 2.5 to 3 times the length of the elastic. For the fabric height, cut it double your desired finished size plus ½ inch for seam allowances.

Note on Elastic Lengths for Scrunchies:

After you have made the first test scrunchie, you might find you need to adjust the elastic lengths on the next scrunchie to fit the perfect amount of times you want to twist it around your ponytail. As you can imagine, hair does vary dramatically in its thickness and texture from person to person. 

Making a Wrist Scrunchie:

I've seen some people wearing their scrunchie around their wrists so you can also measure that and just add ½" (12mm) for the overlap or knot. If you want it to wrap twice around your wrist, then x2 the measurement and add overlap.

How to Make a Scrunchie Video

Here is a video I made for you on how to make a hair scrunchie. Like all my videos. it is just a few minutes long, colorful, fun, and straight to the point as I know you are busy 🙂 Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.

How to Make a Scrunchie Step by Step (Free Sewing Pattern for Scrunchies)

The below tutorial includes how to sew a scrunchie with a sewing machine and how to sew a scrunchie by hand.

Step 1 - Fold Over One End

Cut a strip of fabric according to the measurements above. If your fabric frays, then press over one of the short ends by ½ inch (12mm) on the WRONG side. For Lycra scrunchies or fabric that doesn't fray, such as knits, you can skip to the next step.

Step 2 - Stitch Along the Length

With RIGHT sides together, fold the fabric lengthwise, matching the raw edges.

Stitch along the long edge with a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance. Make sure you leave both ends open. Use a small machine straight stitch with a length of 2.0

In this how to make a scrunchie tutorial, I used my sewing machine to sew the seams. It is also possible to make a scrunchie without a sewing machine.

Step 3 - Turn the Tube the Right Way Out

Now turn your fabric tube RIGHT side out. The easiest way to do this is to attach the safety pin to one end and thread it back through the middle. You need a small to medium-sized safety pin to do this. a large pin won't be able to turn back on itself.

Step 4 - Press the DIY Scrunchie

If you are using a cotton fabric then give it a good press. For Lycra fabrics, just try and flatten it out a little with your fingers. The seam should be on one side of the tube so it is not easily visible.

Step 5 - Thread the Elastic

Now attach the safety pin to the end of the elastic and thread it through the tube. Make sure you pin the first end so it doesn't pull all the way through by mistake. Your fabric will gather on top of the elastic.

Step 6 - Stitch the Elastic

Overlap the ends of the elastic by ½ inch (12mm) and stitch them together. If you are in a hurry you could just tie the ends in a knot instead of stitching. Pull it tight so it won't come undone.

When I filmed my video, I just tied the ends in a knot. A few people commented that it would add bulk, but really the knot is so small you won't feel it. I also had a few comments that the knot would come undone, but I've never had that happen. If you don't want the knot to come undone, then just pull tight. Do what is easiest for you and fits your time schedule and patience level. Personally, I always take the fastest route!

Step 7 - Final Stitch of the Ends

Pull the elastic around so the join is hidden. Then feed the raw edge of the tube into the pressed edge.

If you used Lycra fabric for your DIY scrunchie and don't have a pressed edge then just put one end into the other. Overlap it by ½" (12mm) so the inside raw edge is hidden.

Machine Stitching a Scrunchie

• Stitch the gap closed through all layers. Make sure you backstitch so it doesn't come undone. This will catch in the elastic and keep it nice and secure.
• If you use a matching thread, you won't notice this stitching as it will be hidden in the folds of fabric.

Hand Stitching a Scrunchie

• If you want an invisible finish, you could hand stitch using a ladder stitch (invisible stitch). Stitch all the way around the fabric without catching in the elastic.
• Hand stitching does take a little time so it's a good tv job. In other words, put on your favorite tv show and hand stitch during the ads.

Optional - If you want a flatter-looking, professional scrunchie, you could topstitch around the outside seamed edge.

Pin this Image for Later 🙂

How to Make a Scrunchie Variations

You can decorate your homemade scrunchies in numerous ways, such as:

• Add thin lace or piping to the seam. Add it into the seam in step 2.
• Sewing sequins or beads in strategic places
• Making an extra-large scrunchie that twists around your hair extra times

How to Make a Scrunchie Bow

If you would like to add a bow or ears to the scrunchie here is a printable scrunchie pattern for you to download. The bow is in 2 sizes so you can mix and match it with your DIY scrunchies.

DOWNLOAD SCRUNCHIE BOW PATTERN

1. Cut 2 pieces of fabric using the pattern.
2. Put the fabric pieces right sides together.
3. Stitch around the bow leaving a gap where indicated on the pattern piece.
4. Clip the corners and curves and turn the right way out.
5. Press.
6. Topstitch around the edge of the bow shape. If you don't want to topstitch, you can just handstitch the gap closed.
7. Tie the bow around the scrunchie to hide the join.

How To Make a Scrunchie No-Sew

You can make a scrunchie without sewing by substituting a strong fabric glue for the stitching in steps 2 and 7. A hot glue gun will work as well.

Work neatly so your glue does not show on the right side of the scrunchie, and test the glue on your fabric before you start. When joining the elastic ends in step 6, use a knot, as the glue won't be strong enough to hold the elastic.

How to Make a Scrunchie FAQs

How to Wear a Scrunchie

To wear your scrunchie, put it around the base of a bun or twist it a couple of times around a ponytail. If you have very thick hair or thin hair, you might need to adjust the size of your elastic to suit how many times you want to wind it around your hair.

How Wide Should Elastic Be for Scrunchies?

The best width elastic for scrunchies is ¼ inch (6mm). This width stretches easily and can be twisted around your hair several times. If you can't get this width of elastic, try ⅜ inch (1cm). Don't go any narrower as it will stretch out of shape easily.

How to Neatly Finish a Scrunchie

If you want an invisible finish for your scrunchie then use a ladder stitch in the final step instead of your sewing machine. At this point, the raw edge will be inserted into the tube and the seam can be hand-stitched around the outside in a circle.

How Long Does it Take to Sew a Scrunchie?

The first scrunchie you make will probably take you around 20 minutes but your second will be 10 minutes or less. It takes longer to cut the rectangle and gather your supplies than to actually sew the scrunchie. If you are making gifts, line up all your supplies and fabric and create a production line to cut down on time.

How to Make a Scrunchie - In Conclusion

Wow! You are finished learning how to make a scrunchie! Wasn't that easy? Now you can DIY scrunchie in every color of the rainbow.

More Hair Accessory Tutorials

After you have learned how to make a scrunchie, check out these other tutorials on how to make other hair accessories. You will have the prettiest collection in town!

1. How to Line an Alligator Clip
2. DIY Hair Ties
3. How to Make Fabric Bows
4. How to Make a Ribbon Bow
5. DIY Hair Accessories – Easy Hair Clips to Make in Under 10 Minutes
6. Felt Bow Template 
7. DIY Fabric Flowers
8. Cloth Flower Making
9. How to Stop Ribbon from Fraying
10. DIY Felt Bow
11. How to Make a Scrunchie
12. Fabric Bow for Clothing
13. How to Make a Headband