Braided Headbands

If you are currently a part of the Pinterest craze, or if you watch fashion trends, you will know anything braided is all the rage right now.  I personally have over a dozen how-to's marked and pinned.  From bracelets, necklaces, fabric flowers, rings, and headbands, everyone seems to be wearing braids. Many are 4 and 5 strand braids, and all adorable. Today, I'll share with you a simple headband that you can make in 30 minutes.

Supplies:
Strips of fabric; all the same, or three coordinating colors
A piece of fabric 2"X6"
3" of 1/2 elastic
thread

I took my fabric, made a small cut on one side, and then ripped it the width of the fabric. It felt GOOD. It didn't rip even, the opposite ends aren't the same width. But that's okay; you won't notice when you braid it.  I sewed the ends of the three strips together near the end, then braided them together. However loose or tight is your choice.  And then sew the opposite ends together when you are finished with the braid.

Next you will want to sew your 3"X6" piece of fabric. Fold in half, right sides together, and sew down the long side. Don't worry about ironing the seam (shhhh, don't tell the sewing police), and turn right side out, making a tube.

Now take your elastic and sew it to one side of your braid. I used a skinny piece of elastic, and decided afterwards it needed a wider one. So stick with the half inch width.

Here's where it gets a little tricky.  Fold in one end of your tube and slide the elastic inside it as well as the end of your braid.  Sew about a 1/4 inch from the folded edge.

Then, scrunch the fabric up and get a hold of the end of the elastic.  Sew it to the other side of the braid, making sure the braid isn't twisted.  Pull the fabric tube over the end of the braid, and with the ends folded in, sew a 1/4 from the end. 

And now your headband is complete.

Wear it alone, or an accessory clipped in!

I just jumped in and ripped up some scraps of fabric I had laying around. The baby is the only head it will fit.  I would measure the head you want to fit and add about two inches since the braid will be shorter than just the strips.  And measure again before you sew all together. Remember the elastic will give you a little more room.

Beth