A scrunchie is just fabric wrapped around elastic, and you can make one with a needle, thread, and scraps you already have

A scrunchie is a loop of fabric sewn around elastic cord. You thread the elastic through a tube of fabric, fold the ends together, and stitch them closed. The whole project takes about 15 minutes once you cut your fabric, and you need only four things: a scrap of fabric roughly 4 by 8 inches, elastic (the kind used in waistbands or hair ties), a needle, and thread that matches your fabric or elastic.

The reason to make your own is straightforward: they cost almost nothing, you can use fabric you like, and they're gentler on hair than plastic ones because fabric doesn't catch and pull. If you've never sewn before, a scrunchie is one of the easiest projects to start with—there are no corners to turn, no zippers, and mistakes are hard to see once it's finished.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut a rectangle of fabric 4 inches wide by 8 inches long, then fold it in half lengthwise with the right side facing in and sew the long edge closed to make a tube.
  • Thread elastic through the tube using a safety pin or needle as a guide, then tie the elastic ends together inside the tube.
  • Fold the fabric ends inward and stitch them closed by hand with a ladder stitch or whip stitch for an invisible seam.
  • You can use any lightweight fabric—cotton, linen, jersey, or even old t-shirts—as long as it doesn't fray too badly when cut.
  • The elastic should be about 2 to 3 inches long depending on how tight you want the scrunchie; thinner elastic works better than thick waistband elastic.

What you need before you start

Gather these items in one place before you cut anything. You need fabric (a scrap 4 by 8 inches or larger), elastic cord about 2 to 3 inches long, a needle that fits comfortably in your hand, thread, scissors, and a safety pin or a second needle. A measuring tape or ruler helps, but you can estimate the size by eye if you're comfortable doing that.

For fabric, use something lightweight and not too stiff. Cotton quilting fabric, linen, jersey knit, or an old t-shirt all work well. Avoid heavy canvas or denim for your first scrunchie—they're harder to sew through by hand and make the finished scrunchie bulky. For elastic, use the thin round cord sold for hair ties or the flat elastic from inside waistbands; thick elastic is difficult to thread through and makes the scrunchie uncomfortable to wear.

Thread color doesn't have to match perfectly, but it's less noticeable if it does. If you're using a patterned fabric, thread that blends with the dominant color works fine. If you don't have a needle threader, wet the end of the thread slightly—it makes threading easier.

Cutting and preparing your fabric

Measure and cut a rectangle 4 inches wide by 8 inches long. If you don't have a ruler, you can use the width of your hand (roughly 4 inches) and measure twice that length. Precision doesn't matter much here—anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 inches wide and 7 to 9 inches long will work fine.

Once you've cut the rectangle, lay it flat with the right side (the side you want to show) facing down. You're going to fold it in half lengthwise, so the two long edges come together. Pin or hold the edges together so they don't slip while you sew. If you don't have pins, you can just hold it carefully or use a tiny piece of tape on each end.

Sewing the tube closed

Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Starting at one short end, sew along the long edge using a straightforward running stitch—push the needle through both layers, pull it out about a quarter-inch away, and repeat. Keep your stitches small and even, roughly a quarter-inch apart. You don't need to be perfect; scrunchies hide mistakes well.

Sew all the way down the long edge until you reach the other short end. Stop about a quarter-inch from the edge so you have room to turn the tube right-side out. Tie off your thread on the inside by making a small knot, then trim the excess thread.

Now turn the tube right-side out by pulling it through the opening you left. Use a pencil or chopstick to poke the corners out gently from the inside. The fabric should now look like a small pillowcase with the seam hidden on the inside and the pretty side facing out.

Threading the elastic through

Tie a small knot at one end of your elastic cord. Attach a safety pin to the other end of the elastic—the safety pin acts as a guide to pull the elastic through the tube without it bunching up. If you don't have a safety pin, you can use a needle with thread tied to it, or even a small paper clip.

Push the safety pin end into the tube opening and start feeding the elastic through. It will feel tight at first, but keep pushing gently. The safety pin will catch on the fabric and pull the elastic along behind it. Keep going until the elastic comes out the other end of the tube. Remove the safety pin once the elastic is all the way through.

Now you have elastic running through the fabric tube. Tie the two ends of the elastic together with a tight knot, making sure the knot is inside the tube and won't slip back out. The elastic loop should be snug enough to hold your hair but not so tight it cuts off circulation—about 2 to 3 inches around is typical.

Closing the ends and finishing

Fold both short ends of the fabric tube inward about a quarter-inch, so the raw edges are hidden inside. You now have a closed loop of fabric with the elastic inside. Thread your needle again and use a ladder stitch (also called a whip stitch) to close the opening invisibly. A ladder stitch works by running the needle through the fold of fabric on one side, then across to the fold on the other side, then back again—the thread stays hidden inside the fold.

Start by bringing your needle up through one folded edge, then slide it across into the opposite folded edge and run it along inside the fold for about a quarter-inch. Come back out, then go back into the first side and repeat. After every few stitches, gently pull the thread to close the gap. Once the opening is closed, tie off your thread inside the fold and trim it short.

Your scrunchie is now finished. Give it a gentle tug to make sure the elastic is find and the seams feel solid. If any thread is visible on the outside, you can trim it or hide it by tucking it into the fold.

Variations and fabric choices

Once you've made one scrunchie, you can experiment with different fabrics and sizes. Thicker fabrics like corduroy or velvet look elegant but are harder to sew by hand—save those for later. Stretchy fabrics like jersey knit are forgiving and comfortable. Patterned fabrics hide stitching mistakes, so they're good for practice.

You can also make scrunchies wider (5 or 6 inches instead of 4) for a puffier look, or narrower (2 or 3 inches) for a sleeker finish. Wider scrunchies use more fabric but are easier to sew because there's more room to work. The elastic length stays roughly the same—2 to 3 inches—regardless of width.

If you want to add decoration, you can sew a button, bead, or ribbon onto the outside after the scrunchie is finished. Just make sure whatever you add is sewn securely so it won't catch on hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine instead of sewing by hand?

Yes. Sew the long edge on a machine using a straight stitch, then turn the tube right-side out and thread the elastic through by hand. Use a machine to close the short ends if you're comfortable with it, but a ladder stitch by hand is easier for beginners because you can see what you're doing and adjust as you go.

What if my elastic keeps slipping back out of the tube?

Make sure the knot at the end of the elastic is large enough that it can't slip through the fabric weave. If it keeps happening, tie a second knot right next to the first one, or wrap the elastic end with thread a few times before knotting it. You can also sew the knot to the inside of the fabric tube with a few stitches to anchor it.

How do I make the scrunchie tighter or looser?

The tightness depends on the elastic length. Shorter elastic (1.5 to 2 inches) makes a tighter scrunchie; longer elastic (3 to 4 inches) makes a looser one. You can adjust this before you tie the knot. If you've already tied it and want to change it, carefully cut a small hole in the fabric, untie the elastic, adjust the length, retie it, and sew the hole closed.

Can I wash a fabric scrunchie?

Yes. Hand wash it in cool water with mild soap, or throw it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Air dry it flat or hanging. Avoid the dryer because heat can damage the elastic. Most fabric scrunchies last several months to a year with regular washing before the elastic starts to lose its stretch.

What's the difference between a ladder stitch and a whip stitch?

A ladder stitch runs the needle through the fold of fabric on alternating sides, staying hidden inside the fold. A whip stitch goes over the edge of the fabric, so the thread is visible on the outside. For scrunchies, a ladder stitch looks neater, but a whip stitch is faster and works fine if you're not worried about the seam showing.