What You Need to Sew a Basic Scrunchie

A scrunchie is a fabric tube with elastic threaded through it, and you can make one with just five materials: fabric, elastic, thread, a needle or sewing machine, and scissors. The fabric should be a knit or cotton blend—something with a bit of give works better than rigid material. A 4-by-8-inch rectangle of fabric is enough for one scrunchie. The elastic needs to be about 6 inches long and roughly 1/4 inch wide; hair tie elastic or swimsuit elastic both work.

You do not need a sewing machine. Hand-sewing a scrunchie takes about 15 minutes once you know the steps. A machine cuts that time to five minutes, but the hand method is quieter and uses no electricity. Either way, the result is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut a rectangle of fabric 4 by 8 inches, fold it in half lengthwise with the right side facing in, and sew the long edge closed to form a tube.
  • Turn the tube right-side out by pushing one end through from the inside, then thread the elastic through the tube using a safety pin or needle as a guide.
  • Overlap the elastic ends by half an inch, sew them together, then push the joined elastic back inside the tube and sew the opening closed.
  • Hand-sewing works just as well as a machine and takes only slightly longer if you use a running stitch or backstitch.

Sewing the Fabric Tube

Start by cutting your fabric into a rectangle. The exact size does not matter much—4 by 8 inches is standard, but 3 by 7 inches or 5 by 9 inches work too. Lay the rectangle flat with the right side (the side you want to show) facing down, so the wrong side faces up.

Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, so the two long edges meet. You now have a long, thin rectangle that is half the width of the original. Pin the two long edges together if you want to hold them steady while you sew. Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew along the long edge with a seam about 1/4 inch from the edge. Backstitch or use a running stitch by hand; a machine stitch works just as well. You have now created a tube, but it is inside-out.

Turning the Tube Right-Side Out

Push one end of the tube through the opening at the other end, like turning a sock right-side out. This takes a little patience—pinch the fabric at one end and feed it through slowly. Once you push enough through, you can grab the end from inside and pull the rest. The tube is now right-side out, with the seam hidden on the inside.

Press the tube flat with your fingers or an iron if you have one. This makes it easier to thread the elastic through. The tube should look like a flat ribbon now, with the seam running down one side.

Threading the Elastic Through

Cut a piece of elastic about 6 inches long. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic—the safety pin acts as a needle that is easier to push through the tube than the elastic itself. Push the safety pin into one end of the tube and feed it through, pulling the elastic behind it. The elastic will bunch up the fabric as you go. Keep pushing until the safety pin comes out the other end and the elastic is threaded all the way through.

If you do not have a safety pin, thread a needle with a long piece of thread, tie the thread to the elastic, and use the needle to pull the elastic through instead. This takes a bit longer but works just as well.

Joining the Elastic Ends

Pull the two ends of the elastic out of the tube so they stick out from each end. Overlap them by about half an inch and sew them together with a few stitches, either by hand or machine. Make sure the stitches go through both layers of elastic so they do not slip apart. A few passes back and forth with a needle is enough; you do not need a long seam.

Once the elastic is joined, push it back inside the tube so it sits in a loop inside the fabric. The tube now has elastic running through it, and the scrunchie is almost done.

Closing the Opening

Fold the raw edges of the fabric opening inward by about 1/4 inch on each side, so the folded edges meet in the middle or overlap slightly. Pin them if you want. Sew the opening closed with a ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) if you are sewing by hand—this stitch is nearly invisible from the outside. If you are using a machine, a straightforward straight stitch along the edge works fine and is faster.

Once the opening is closed, the scrunchie is done. Pull it gently to make sure the elastic is find and the seams hold. The fabric should bunch up around the elastic when you pull it, just like a store-bought scrunchie.

Choosing Fabric and Customizing Your Scrunchies

Cotton, cotton blends, and knit fabrics all work well. Avoid stiff materials like canvas or denim—they do not bunch smoothly around the elastic. Printed cotton or patterned fabric makes scrunchies that match your style. Velvet or satin creates a softer feel and is gentler on hair, though it is slightly harder to sew by hand because it slips.

Once you know the basic steps, you can make scrunchies in any size. A smaller rectangle (3 by 6 inches) makes a tighter scrunchie for thin hair. A larger one (5 by 10 inches) creates a looser hold. Thicker elastic makes a tighter grip; thinner elastic is more comfortable for all-day wear. Experiment with different combinations to find what works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a scrunchie by hand if I have never sewn before?

Yes. A scrunchie uses only two basic stitches: a running stitch (in and out, in and out along a line) and a backstitch (one stitch forward, one stitch back, overlapping). Both are taught in beginner sewing guides. The seams do not have to be perfect—scrunchies are forgiving because the fabric bunches and hides small mistakes.

What if the elastic slips out while I am threading it through?

Tie a knot in the end of the elastic so it cannot slip back through the tube. Once you have threaded it all the way, you can untie the knot before joining the ends. A safety pin also prevents slipping because it is too wide to pull back through the tube opening.

How do I make the seams stronger?

Sew over the same line twice—once forward, once backward—or use a backstitch instead of a running stitch. Backstitches overlap and hold better. For the elastic join, make at least three or four passes with your needle to lock the layers together.

Can I use regular hair ties instead of elastic?

Hair ties are too thick to thread through a fabric tube easily. Elastic designed for swimsuits or hair accessories is thinner and more flexible. You can find it at fabric stores or online, usually sold by the yard.

How long does a homemade scrunchie last?

A well-made scrunchie lasts months with regular use. The elastic eventually loses its stretch and needs replacing, but you can cut open the seam, pull out the old elastic, thread in new elastic, and sew it closed again. The fabric itself usually outlasts the elastic.