19 April 2010

Ruched Headband Tutorial

I was utterly flattered when Dana, the star of skillfulness, queen of creativity, princess of projects, requested my presence on her blog for a most sublime celebration of mothers!  She and Disney of ruffles and stuff are in the midst of a two week celebration with a plethora of present potential projects for the mothers in your life, stories, and giveaways, so stay tuned for all the goodness.

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Meanwhile, here is what I came up with for you seamstresses to play with:

The Ruched Headband

 





Getting Started

Materials:
3'' X 15'' piece of felt
1 yard of lightweight fabric*
35'' bias (store bought or hand made)
Matching thread
Click on and print pattern piece at 137%--just the first page

*On fabric choice:  I used some scraps of lining that worked wonderfully well, but experiment with what you have on hand.  I also did some with sheer fabric which also worked nicely, but keep in mind the felt color will show through a sheer.


1  Cut out headband base out of felt on the fold
2  Cut a rectangle 30'' X 3'' (I used lining for this tutorial)

 

3  Fold fabric in half and cut 1/2'' off each side, tapering until 4'' from fold
4  Unfold and baste 2 rows down each side, one at 1/4'' and the other at 1/2''.  
Do this by making the stitch on your machine as long as it will allow and 
DO NOT backstitch, leaving your threads long on each end


5  Take the top two threads on each side and pull, working the fabric down the threads
6  Repeat on other side until the fabric is the length of the felt base


7  Pin fabric to felt and baste down each side.  DO NOT backstitch
8  Remove the first set of basting stitches (see step 4) and trim excess fabric


*You can use store bought double folded bias, or you can make your own
9  Fold you fabric at a 45 degree angle and cut
10  Cut a strip 1 1/4'' wide


11  Fold end of bias back 1/4'' and pin around entire headband
12  Stitch, using a regular stitch 1/4'' backstitching when you stop and start


13  Fold bias under and pin.  Stitch in place by hand on the back side, or use the machine
14  If you use the machine, edgestitch just on the inside of the bias



*For the tie you can use purchased ribbon, some lace, 
or you can sew on a length of elastic
15  For the tie, cut a piece from the same fabric, 2 rectangles 27'' X 7''
16  Fold each strip in half and cut at an angle.  Stitch angled edge and down the open edge 1/4'', leaving bottom edge open.
17  Trim point as pictured


18  Turn inside out using the woman-known put-on-panty-hose 
method of gathering the material on your thumbs.  
Before pulling the fabric down, 
gently push out the point using a bone folder or tip of a pen lid
19  Turn open end in 1/4'', press and edgestitch


20  Attach ties by folding end into a "z", pin, and sew a semi-circle around each end






*This is an original design of Sew Apropos (of No Big Dill).  Feel free to make these for personal use, but please do not mass produce and/or sell without contacting me to establish remuneration.  Thank you and have fun with it!


49 comments:

  1. What cute headbands! Thanks for the tutorial. You always inspire me. :)

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  2. Sew, Sew impressed with the idea, the how-to photos, the directions, and the final products! good job!

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  3. I love these! (and your awesome descriptions- panty hose haha). Maybe I'll try to make bias tape for the first time.

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  4. Simply perfect! I love all of the photo's but the last one's my favorite.

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  5. Thank you for the tutorial! I have three girls under four and am asked ALL THE TIME if we are going to try again and have a boy. The last time someone asked me and my husband, my husband looked at the nosy body with a smile on his face and asked, "Why? You think we need one?" and then waited.

    Crickets, crickets....

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  6. Wow, I just discovered your blog through Dana's site, and I LOVE it! It's definitely going on my Google Reader.

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  7. This is beautiful!!! I'm your newest follower :o)
    3sillymonkees.blogspot.com

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  8. i love that cute headband, and you're so lovely wearing it !

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  9. so excited to find you blog today on Made!

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  10. found my way here from dana's site and am so glad i did! you inspire me with your daughters' beautiful clothing and make me want to sew more for mine!
    i added you to my reader and can't wait to read more.
    natalie @ our old southern house

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  11. I'm so glad to have found your blog through Made today!
    Yayy!!

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  12. Ooh, I love this headband! I've been looking for quite awhile for one to make myself, and I think this is it! I love how we can simplify it with bias tape and ribbon if needed! :) Thanks!!!!

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  13. Just found your site through Made and I am really enjoying it. I can't wait to make one of these headbands. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  14. i am a new follower thanks to Dana, and spent WAY too much time looking back through your blog.
    i LOVE the easter dresses! would you mind introducing your girls names and ages? they are so adorable and the names i've picked up on, i adore:O)

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  15. hi there. i just found you through made. what a cute unique headband tutorial! i love headbands but these are one step up. thanks!

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  16. These are so darling! I'm making them for my 3 girls, and probably me for sure!

    Found you on Made!

    kerstin @ mommytimecrafts.blogspot.com

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  17. ok, so when I saw the picture, I was like: "cute, but I don't need to go out to buy more plain headbands" and then I realized you made your own from felt and now I'm madly in love! I can't wait to whip some of these up! thanks so much!

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  18. Dana was right, great photos. And a great tutorial. Thank u.

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  19. These are so cute..I found your blog through Dana..and I too have five girls..and yes am asked all the time when if we will be trying for a boy..I loved your response that you said over at Dana's sight..Ill have to remember that for next time:)) I think Im going to try them out for my girls they will love these..thanks!!!

    stop by any time to check out life with my five girls!!!

    www.kristiwest.blogspot.com

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  20. Beautiful! I have seven daughters (and one little boy stuck between daughters 6 & 7) and we LOVE cute headbands to pretty up our hair. We'll definitely be making these!

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  21. This is beautiful! I found your blog through Made today. I'm excited about looking around!

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  22. Wow, so beautiful. Thanks for creating the tute.

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  23. Oh, I like-y, but I am afraid I can't do-ey. I will admire from a distance :).

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  24. no surprise ~ I came over from Dana's blog, then spent far too long 'visiting'. You have a lovely family and they are so blessed with a wise momma! I am wondering - I didn't find it, but, do you by chance, have a tutorial for the lovely flowers on your necklaces? I especially like the flowers with the rounded petals. I would love to know how to make them.

    many blessings ~ Tracy

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  25. Hey I just found you via Made. These headbands are adorable and I can't wait to try them out!

    I have a burning question for you: WHERE did you get those yellow shoes Dana posted on her site? I think they are featured in your Easter post. They are adorable and I need to own them!

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  26. OHHH I love that headband. You are darling as are your daughters. I come from a family of 7 girls and 1 boy! I say girl power all the way. What would I do without my sisters. I say they are sooo lucky & you of course are twice as lucky because you get to be the momma. Smiles, JEN

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  27. I love the headband & might try it. I am thinking since this ties, it will work better with thick hair than most other headbands?
    Oh. You are gorgeous! But, you must hear that all the time.

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  28. Oh, man...I think I'd prefer to just buy one! You should put some of these darling headbands on Sew Apropos.

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  29. I'm with White Lily. Darling, Katy.

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  30. I have been stalking your blog for over a year now, and I was ecstatic that you shared a free pattern. I made one immediately and here is a link, if you are interested...

    http://kennyandtasha.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-pattern.html.

    Thank You, I love your creations!

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  31. I love 'em! You are so nice to share. Are you excited for this weekend????!!!

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  32. The headband is beautiful, and has been added to my list of things to create. I think I have the wrong shaped head for headbands (they never stay in place), but I think I'll try it anyway!

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  33. Elegant and fancy, yet functional and beautiful! They will dress up a plain outfit for sure! I featured these earlier today at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

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  34. HI,
    I apologize for asking here, I couldn't find an email anywhere. I love how clean your site is. I've been seeing a lot of large photo's posted and I'm really interested on how you made it big in your site. Would love to really hear from you. My email is Clairepfendler at yahoo dot com
    Thank you!

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  35. this is an amazing headband absolutely love it.

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  36. You are simply adorable, I love your blog and I think I wish we were neighbors. ;)

    What a darling family. I have two boys and recently had our first girl. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  37. Wow, these seem so pretty and unique too, from the other common headband ideas! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try one of these for my niece.

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  38. Any chance we an get a tutorial for the awesome bracelet?

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  39. So impressed with the headband. I made one for each of my girls. My littlest girlie was not feeling the best and home from school and I had no felt that was large enough. Adapted with cutting an extra piece of material and lined it with some stablizer. Also did not put the ties on, put elastic hair bands instead. Turned out wonderful--thank you for sharing:) They both loved them and wore them to school today:)

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  40. I love LOVE these, i would like to make some and sell some for a craft boutique that im doing...how do i do that!!? you can email me at dejavucrafts@hotmail.com

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  41. Great headband and tutorial - thanks so much! And speaking of sharing, have you visited www.WeAllSew.com to see all the sewing links? Find more sewing bloggers, groups, projects, and even charities looking for sewing volunteer help!

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  42. WOW! This is really, really gorgeous! What a show-stopper. I just clicked over from MADE and I'm so glad I did. I would love to link to your project if you didn't mind.

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  43. i've just made one, not as cute as yours but if you want to see it, just have a look here :
    http://laraignee-fauchee.blogspot.com/2010/04/elles-sont-ou-les-abeilles.html

    would it be possible for me to do a translation at french of you tuto (of course with a link at your blog and after receiving your agreement) ?
    i'm sure french girls would love it !

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  44. This is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time!

    Jenn

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  45. I have had this post saved forever on my computer and finally had a great reason to make the headband. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

    http://msmathmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/disney-outfit-for-maggie.html

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  46. Hey! Thanks so much for a great tutorial! I just finished my first one! I can't wait to make more! This one has plans to evolve into a headdress for dancing, but I love it so much Im going to make a slew of them from scrap fabric!
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pE9TzFMuGpc/ToOnaoHs9OI/AAAAAAAAAEA/QkGW-3nIBDE/s1600/Headband.jpg

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