Scrunchies

Hope in a Scrunchie – Hand-Sewn Scrunchie Tutorial

☁️ Level: Beginner

⏱ Time: ~30 minutes

💛 Tools You’ll Need:

A piece of fabric (approx. 18 x 4 inches / 45 x 10 cm)
Thin elastic (approx. 8 inches / 20 cm)
Needle and thread
Scissors
Safety pin (optional, but helpful)
Ruler or measuring tape
Pins or clips (optional)

✨ Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut Your Fabric

Cut a rectangle of fabric about 18 inches long and 4 inches wide. You can upcycle an old shirt, scarf, or any soft cotton fabric you love.

Tip: Stretchy fabrics work too, but woven cotton is easier for beginners.

2. Fold and Stitch

Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, with the patterned/colored side facing in (you should see the "wrong" side).Sew along the long edge using a straight stitch, leaving a 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) seam allowance.

If you're hand-sewing, use a backstitch to make the seam stronger. You’ll now have a fabric tube!

3. Turn It Inside Out

Use a safety pin or your fingers to turn the tube right-side out so the nice side of the fabric is now showing.

4. Add the Elastic

Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and carefully guide it through the fabric tube.Make sure not to let the other end slip in! Once through, tie the elastic ends together in a tight knot.

For a cleaner finish, you can sew the ends of the elastic instead of tying.

5. Close the Scrunchie

Tuck in the raw edges of the fabric tube (about ½ inch) and overlap the ends neatly.Stitch them together with a needle and thread using a ladder stitch (invisible stitch) or just a neat straight stitch.

🎉 You Did It!

You just made your own scrunchie—from scratch! Wear it, gift it, or keep it as a reminder that you can create something beautiful with your own two hands.