How to Add Velvet to Your Hair Accessories: Headbands and Scrunchies

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Velvet Revival: Your Ultimate Guide to DIY Velvet Hair Accessories

The soft, luxurious touch of velvet is making a triumphant return, not just on the runway, but as a staple in personal style. This timeless fabric adds a layer of sophistication and texture to any look, and what better way to incorporate it than through your hair accessories? Crafting your own velvet headbands and scrunchies is a rewarding project that allows for complete personalization and a professional, high-end finish. This guide will walk you through every step, from selecting your materials to mastering the techniques, ensuring you create pieces that are both beautiful and durable. Forget generic, store-bought accessories; it’s time to build a collection that is uniquely yours, one stitch at a time.

Getting Started: The Essential Toolkit and Material Selection

Before you can begin, gathering the right supplies is crucial. Having everything on hand will make the process smooth and enjoyable. Don’t skimp on quality; a good foundation ensures a better final product.

Fabric and Thread: The Heart of Your Project

  • Velvet Fabric: This is the star of the show. Velvet comes in various types, each with a distinct character.
    • Stretch Velvet: Ideal for scrunchies and headbands. Its inherent stretchiness makes it easy to wrap around elastic and conform to curves without bunching. It’s forgiving for beginners and drapes beautifully. Look for a two-way stretch for maximum flexibility.

    • Crushed Velvet: Offers a unique, textured look. The “crushed” effect gives it a vintage, almost distressed feel. It’s a great choice for a more bohemian or edgy aesthetic.

    • Panne Velvet: A lightweight, highly lustrous option. It has a slicker surface and a beautiful sheen, perfect for a more formal or elegant headband.

    • Silk or Rayon Velvet: These are the most luxurious and delicate options. They have a stunning drape but can be more challenging to work with due to their slippery nature. Save these for when you’ve mastered the basics.

    Practical Tip: Purchase slightly more fabric than you think you need. A quarter-yard of velvet is typically enough for several scrunchies or one detailed headband. For both, a half-yard is a safe bet.

  • Thread: Always match your thread to your fabric. Polyester thread is a great all-purpose choice for its strength and durability. Consider using a slightly thicker thread for velvet to ensure strong seams. Invisible thread can also be a game-changer for finishing seams on headbands, providing a completely seamless look.

Hardware and Inserts: The Structure and Foundation

  • Headbands:

    • Plastic Headband Blanks: These are the most common and easiest to use. They come in various widths, from narrow to wide. Choose a size that suits your desired style. A wider blank is perfect for a statement piece, while a thinner one works for a subtle accent.

    • Metal Headband Blanks: A more durable option. They can be slightly harder to cover due to their smooth surface but provide a firm, long-lasting structure.

    • Woven Ribbon or Fabric Strips: For a softer, more flexible headband, you can create a padded base by wrapping a thin piece of batting around a ribbon or strip of fabric.

  • Scrunchies:

    • Elastic: The quality of your elastic directly impacts the scrunchie’s durability and hold.
      • Braided Elastic: A great choice for scrunchies. It’s strong and doesn’t narrow when stretched. A 1/4-inch width is standard and works well.

      • Knit Elastic: Softer and more flexible, making it comfortable for all-day wear. It’s a good option for those with fine hair.

    Practical Tip: Don’t reuse old elastic. New elastic provides a stronger, longer-lasting hold.

Tools for Precision and Ease

  • Sewing Machine: While you can hand-sew, a sewing machine is highly recommended. It will give you a professional finish and save a significant amount of time. A straight stitch is all you need for most of these projects.

  • Hand-Sewing Needles: For closing seams and intricate details. A set of different sizes is useful.

  • Fabric Shears: Sharp scissors specifically for cutting fabric. Using them only for fabric prevents them from becoming dull.

  • Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat: An excellent tool for cutting long, straight strips of fabric for scrunchies and headbands. It’s fast and precise.

  • Pins or Fabric Clips: To hold your fabric in place while sewing. Fabric clips are a good alternative to pins for delicate fabrics like velvet, as they won’t leave holes.

  • Safety Pin or Bodkin: Essential for threading elastic through scrunchie casings.

  • Ruler or Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.

  • Iron and Ironing Board: Necessary for pressing seams. Use a pressing cloth to protect the velvet from direct heat, which can crush the pile.

Crafting the Perfect Velvet Scrunchie

A scrunchie is the perfect project for a beginner. It’s quick, requires minimal materials, and the result is an instant, stylish accessory.

Step-by-Step Instructions: The Classic Velvet Scrunchie

  1. Cut Your Fabric:
    • Using your fabric shears or rotary cutter, cut a strip of velvet fabric.

    • A standard size is 22 inches long and 4 inches wide. This creates a full, voluminous scrunchie. You can adjust these measurements to your preference:

      • For a smaller scrunchie: Use a 18″ x 3″ strip.

      • For an oversized, ’80s-inspired scrunchie: Use a 28″ x 5″ strip.

    Practical Tip: Cut on the bias (diagonally across the fabric grain) if using a non-stretch velvet. This will give it a little more give and a better drape.

  2. Cut Your Elastic:

    • Cut a piece of elastic. An 8-inch length is a good starting point for a wrist-friendly, comfortable hold. For a tighter hold, you can shorten it to 6 inches.

    Practical Tip: Always test the elastic length around your wrist or hair to find the perfect tension before cutting.

  3. Sew the Fabric Tube:

    • Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise, right sides together.

    • Pin or clip the raw edges together.

    • Using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew a straight seam along the long edge.

    • Leave a small opening of about 1 inch near the middle of the seam. This is where you’ll turn the fabric and insert the elastic.

    Actionable Example: Imagine you’ve cut a 22″ x 4″ strip. Fold it to create a 22″ x 2″ strip with the velvet facing inwards. Pin the long edge, leaving the short ends open. Stitch the long edge, stopping 0.5 inches from the end, leaving a 1-inch gap in the middle.

  4. Turn the Tube Right Side Out:

    • Attach a safety pin to one end of the fabric tube.

    • Carefully push the safety pin through the tube until it emerges from the other end. This will turn the tube right side out.

    • Once turned, gently pull and smooth the fabric to ensure the seam is on the inside and the velvet is facing outwards.

  5. Insert the Elastic:

    • Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.

    • Thread the elastic through the fabric tube using the safety pin. Hold on to the other end of the elastic so it doesn’t get pulled all the way through.

    • Once the safety pin emerges from the other side, carefully pull the two ends of the elastic together.

  6. Secure the Elastic:

    • Overlap the two ends of the elastic by about half an inch.

    • Using your sewing machine, sew a strong zig-zag stitch back and forth to secure the ends together. This creates a secure loop.

    • Alternatively, you can hand-sew with several strong stitches.

  7. Close the Scrunchie:

    • Now you have a fabric tube with the elastic inside. The raw edges of the fabric at the seam opening are still visible.

    • Tuck the raw edges of the opening inside the scrunchie.

    • Hand-sew the opening closed using a ladder stitch (also known as a slip stitch). This stitch is nearly invisible and gives the scrunchie a professional, seamless finish.

Elevating the Look: The Velvet Headband

A velvet headband adds a touch of class and polish. Making your own allows you to control the exact color, width, and style. The key here is a clean, seamless finish.

Method 1: The Wrapped Plastic Headband

This is the most straightforward method and perfect for creating a classic, structured velvet headband.

  1. Cut Your Fabric:
    • Measure the length of your headband blank and add 1-2 inches for seam allowance.

    • Cut a strip of velvet fabric that is about 2.5 times the width of your headband blank.

    • Example: For a 1-inch wide headband, cut a strip of fabric that is 25 inches long (for a standard blank) and 2.5 inches wide. This extra width allows for the gathering and wrap.

  2. Prepare the Headband Blank:

    • Some crafters like to wrap a thin layer of batting or felt around the plastic blank first to give it a softer, more padded feel. This is optional but can improve the final look. Secure with a dab of hot glue at the ends.
  3. Create the Fabric Tube:
    • Fold the velvet strip in half lengthwise, right sides together.

    • Sew a straight seam along the long edge.

    • Using the safety pin method from the scrunchie tutorial, turn the tube right side out.

  4. Slip the Headband Blank In:

    • Carefully slide the plastic headband blank into the fabric tube. This is the trickiest part. Take your time and gently guide the blank through. The fabric should gather slightly on the blank.
  5. Finish the Ends:
    • Once the blank is fully inside, you will have excess fabric at each end.

    • Tuck the raw edges of the fabric inward.

    • Fold the ends of the fabric neatly over the ends of the plastic headband.

    • Hand-sew the fabric to itself at the ends using a strong, tight stitch. A whip stitch or a ladder stitch works well here. You can also add a small dab of hot glue for extra security, but the hand-sewn finish is more durable.

Method 2: The Gathered or Twisted Headband

This method creates a beautiful, textured headband with a gathered or twisted detail.

  1. Cut and Sew the Fabric:
    • Cut two strips of velvet fabric, each measuring about 25 inches long and 4 inches wide.

    • Take one strip, fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew the long edge.

    • Turn the tube right side out.

    • Repeat with the second strip.

  2. Create the Gathered Effect:

    • Thread a hand-sewing needle with a long piece of thread.

    • Starting at one end of the fabric tube, run a running stitch along the entire length of the tube, about 1/4 inch from the edge. Do this for both fabric tubes.

    • Gently pull the thread to gather the fabric, creating a ruched effect. Gather it until it is about 12-14 inches long.

    • Tie off the thread to secure the gathers.

  3. Assemble the Headband:

    • Lay the two gathered strips next to each other.

    • Either overlap them slightly in the middle to create a single-band look with a seam, or twist them around each other to create a twisted knot effect.

    • Hand-sew the two ends of the gathered strips together to form a large loop. Use strong, tight stitches.

  4. Insert the Elastic or Headband Blank:

    • You can now either insert a standard 12-inch piece of elastic into the loop (like a scrunchie) to create a soft, non-rigid headband, or you can insert a headband blank and finish the ends as described in Method 1. The elastic option is great for a more relaxed, comfortable fit.

Advanced Techniques and Customization

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start to experiment and add unique details to your velvet creations.

Adding Embellishments and Details

  • Beading and Embroidery: After you’ve constructed the headband or scrunchie, you can add beads, sequins, or embroidered designs for a personalized touch. Use a fine needle and beading thread to secure them.

  • Bow Accents: Add a small velvet bow to the top of your headband. Cut a separate piece of velvet, create a small rectangle, and cinch it in the middle with a thin strip of velvet to form a bow. Hand-sew or hot glue it to your finished headband.

  • Pearl Details: Sew faux pearls along the seam of a scrunchie or scattered across the surface of a headband for an elegant, classic look.

Creating Different Styles

  • Padded Headbands: Instead of a plastic blank, use a thick strip of felt or a piece of polyester batting as your base. Cut the velvet strip and wrap it around the padded base, securing the ends with hand-sewing. This creates a very comfortable, puffy headband.

  • Skinny Scrunchies: Simply cut a narrower strip of fabric (e.g., 18″ x 2″) and use a thinner elastic (e.g., 1/8″ width) for a more delicate scrunchie.

  • Tie Scrunchies: Instead of sewing the ends of the fabric tube closed, leave a long, unturned ‘tail’ at each end. You can then tie these tails into a bow for a stylish scrunchie with a ribbon effect.

Troubleshooting and Tips for Success

  • Velvet is Slippery: Velvet has a tendency to shift while you’re sewing. Use plenty of pins or fabric clips to keep it in place. A walking foot on your sewing machine can also be a lifesaver, as it helps the fabric feed evenly.

  • Protecting the Pile: When pressing seams, always use a pressing cloth. Lay the velvet face down on a soft towel or a piece of velvet to avoid crushing the pile. Use a low to medium heat setting and no steam.

  • Choosing the Right Direction: Pay attention to the nap of the velvet. Run your hand along the fabric; it will feel different in each direction. When you cut your pieces, ensure the nap is running in the same direction for all components to ensure a consistent color and texture.

  • Hand-Sewing is Your Friend: While the sewing machine does the heavy lifting, hand-sewing is essential for a professional finish. Perfecting your ladder stitch will make your DIY accessories look store-bought.

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Start with a simple scrunchie. This will help you get a feel for working with the fabric and the techniques before you move on to a more complex project like a headband.

This guide provides the foundation for creating a wide range of beautiful, custom velvet hair accessories. By understanding the materials, mastering the techniques, and embracing customization, you can build a collection of headbands and scrunchies that not only elevate your style but are also a testament to your creativity and skill. The timeless appeal of velvet combined with the satisfaction of a handmade item makes this a rewarding endeavor for any fashion enthusiast.