What You Need to Sew a Headwrap

A headwrap is a tube of fabric that wraps around your head and stays in place without ties or fasteners. To make one, you need fabric (usually cotton or a cotton blend), a sewing machine, thread that matches your fabric, scissors, pins, and a measuring tape. Most headwraps are sewn from a single rectangle of fabric folded and stitched into a tube, then turned right-side out.

The basic construction takes about 30 to 45 minutes once you have your fabric cut. No special skills are required—you only need to sew two straight seams and turn the tube inside out. The finished headwrap should be snug enough to stay on your head but not so tight it causes discomfort.

Key Takeaways

  • A headwrap is a sewn tube of fabric that wraps around your head; the most common style uses a rectangle of fabric folded, sewn, and turned right-side out.
  • You need about 1 to 1.5 yards of fabric depending on your head size, plus thread, scissors, pins, and a sewing machine.
  • The two main seams are sewn on a machine using a straight stitch, and the tube is turned inside out through a small opening left unsewn.
  • Pressing your seams flat with an iron after sewing makes the headwrap look finished and helps it hold its shape.

Measuring and Cutting Your Fabric

Measure around your head where the headwrap will sit—usually about 2 inches above your ears and across the back. Write down this measurement; it will be the length of your rectangle. For width, most headwraps are 8 to 10 inches tall when wrapped, so cut your fabric 16 to 20 inches wide (this accounts for folding). If you are unsure, cut 18 inches wide and 1 yard long to start.

Lay your fabric on a flat surface and use a measuring tape and ruler to mark your rectangle with a pencil or fabric marker. Cut along the marked lines with sharp fabric scissors. If your fabric has a pattern or nap (like velvet or corduroy), make sure the pattern runs the same direction on both ends of the rectangle—this matters when you fold and wrap it.

Folding and Pinning the Fabric

Fold your rectangle in half lengthwise, with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other and the wrong sides facing out. This creates a long, narrow rectangle. Pin along the long edge you just created, placing pins every 3 to 4 inches. Leave one of the short ends unpinned—this is where you will turn the tube right-side out later.

Make sure the edges are aligned as you pin. If the edges are uneven, your finished headwrap will twist or bunch. Pin the other short end completely; you will sew it closed after turning. Double-check that the right sides are still facing inward before you move to the machine.

Sewing the Seams

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with medium length (about 2.5 on most machines). Thread the machine with thread that matches your fabric. Sew along the long pinned edge, starting about 1/2 inch from the edge and keeping a consistent seam allowance. Sew slowly and remove pins as you approach them—do not sew over pins.

When you reach the end of the long seam, backstitch (sew backward) a few stitches to lock the thread. Remove the fabric from the machine. Now sew one of the short ends completely closed, using the same seam allowance and backstitching at the start and end. Leave the other short end open—this is your turning hole.

Turning and Pressing

Reach through the open short end and grab the fabric on the inside. Pull gently and steadily to turn the tube right-side out. The process takes patience; work slowly to avoid tearing the seams. Once the tube is turned, use a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle to push out the corners and edges so they are crisp and even.

Press the entire headwrap with an iron on medium heat, paying special attention to the seams. Pressing flattens the seams and makes the headwrap look polished. Once pressed, hand-stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), which hides the thread inside the fold. Alternatively, fold the raw edges inward 1/2 inch and machine-stitch the opening closed for a faster finish.

Finishing Touches and Fitting

Try the headwrap on to check the fit. It should wrap around your head snugly without slipping, and it should not be so tight that it causes headaches. If it is too loose, you can take in the seams slightly by sewing a new line 1/4 inch closer to the edge on the inside. If it is too tight, you may need to cut a new one with a longer measurement.

Some sewers add elastic to the inside seam to help the headwrap stay in place, though this is optional. If you want to add elastic, insert a 1/4-inch-wide elastic strip into the opening before hand-stitching it closed, or sew it into the seam before turning the tube. Elastic works best if your headwrap tends to slip during the day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is sewing the wrong sides together (wrong sides facing out instead of right sides facing in). Check before you sew by looking at the fabric—the right side is usually the side you want to see on the finished headwrap. Another mistake is leaving the opening too small to turn the tube through; make sure your unsewn short end is at least 3 to 4 inches long.

Uneven seams or misaligned edges will cause the headwrap to twist when you wrap it. Take time to pin carefully and sew slowly. If your seams are wavy or uneven after sewing, you can trim them down slightly with pinking shears (scissors with a zigzag edge) to reduce fraying, but this only works if the seams are close to straight. Finally, do not skip pressing—it transforms a homemade headwrap into one that looks professionally finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric works best for a headwrap?

Cotton, cotton blends, linen, and jersey knit all work well. Cotton is easiest for beginners because it does not stretch and holds its shape. Avoid very thick fabrics like denim or canvas for your first headwrap, as they are harder to turn and sew. Stretchy fabrics like spandex are difficult to control on a machine.

How much fabric do I need?

Most headwraps use 1 to 1.5 yards of fabric, depending on your head size and how tall you want the wrap to be. A standard adult headwrap is about 18 inches wide by 36 to 40 inches long before folding. Check your fabric store's yardage in person if you are unsure, or ask a staff member to help you estimate.

Can I sew a headwrap by hand instead of using a machine?

Yes, but it takes longer—usually 1.5 to 2 hours. Use a running stitch or backstitch and keep your stitches small and even. Hand-sewing works best for smaller headwraps or if you enjoy the meditative pace. The finished result is the same as machine-sewn.

What if my headwrap is too loose and keeps slipping?

Add elastic to the inside seam before closing the opening, or sew a new headwrap with a shorter measurement around the head. You can also wrap it tighter or style it with bobby pins underneath to hold it in place.

Do I need to wash the fabric before sewing?

It is a good idea to wash and dry cotton fabric before sewing, since cotton can shrink. Wash in warm water and dry on medium heat, then press with an iron before cutting. This prevents your finished headwrap from shrinking after you wear it.