A hair scrunchie takes one seam and elastic, nothing more

A sewn hair scrunchie is a rectangle of fabric wrapped around elastic and stitched closed. You need fabric (cotton or knit works best), a piece of elastic about 6 inches long, a needle or machine, and thread that matches your fabric. The whole project takes under an hour, even by hand, and costs less than a dollar in materials.

The basic shape is always the same: cut a rectangle roughly 4 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches long, fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides facing each other, sew the long edge, turn it right-side out, thread the elastic through, and stitch the ends closed. That's the entire process. Once you've made one, you can make a dozen in an afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut a rectangle of fabric 4 inches wide by 8 to 10 inches long, then fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides together.
  • Sew the long edge with a straight stitch, leaving both short ends open so you can turn the tube right-side out.
  • Thread a 6-inch piece of elastic through the tube using a safety pin or bodkin to guide it through.
  • Overlap the elastic ends by half an inch, sew them together, then stitch the fabric opening closed by hand or machine.
  • Knit fabrics and cotton jersey work better than stiff woven cotton because they stretch slightly and feel softer against hair.

Choosing fabric that won't slip or tangle hair

Cotton jersey, cotton knit, and stretch cotton blends are the best choices because they grip hair without snagging. Avoid stiff woven cotton, linen, or anything with a loose weave—these slide out of hair and can catch strands. Flannel and fleece also work well if you want something thicker.

Scraps from old t-shirts are ideal because they're already soft and broken in. If you're buying new fabric, a quarter yard of knit from a fabric store will make 8 to 10 scrunchies. Check the bolt label for "jersey" or "stretch cotton" rather than "quilting cotton" or "apparel woven."

Cutting and sewing the fabric tube

Measure and cut a rectangle 4 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches long. The width matters more than the length—too narrow and the scrunchie looks thin, too wide and it's bulky. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other, so the wrong sides are on the outside.

Sew along the long edge with a straight stitch, using a quarter-inch seam allowance. If you're sewing by machine, use a medium stitch length and backstitch at both ends. If you're sewing by hand, use a running stitch or backstitch, keeping stitches small and even. Leave both short ends completely open—you'll need those openings to turn the tube and thread the elastic through.

Once you've sewn the long seam, trim the seam allowance to an eighth of an inch to reduce bulk, especially if your fabric is thick. Turn the tube right-side out by pushing one end through from the inside. The seam should now be hidden on the inside of the tube.

Threading elastic through and securing the ends

Cut a piece of elastic 6 inches long. A safety pin or bodkin (a blunt needle with a large eye) makes threading much easier—clip the safety pin through one end of the elastic, then push it through the fabric tube from one open end to the other. If you don't have either, you can use a bobby pin or even thread a needle and tie the elastic to the thread, then pull the thread through.

Once the elastic is threaded all the way through, overlap the two ends by about half an inch. Sew the elastic ends together with a few stitches back and forth—a machine stitch or hand backstitch works equally well. Make sure the stitches are tight so the elastic doesn't slip apart when you wear the scrunchie.

Closing the fabric opening

Now you have a tube with elastic threaded through and the two short ends still open. Tuck the raw edges of one opening inward by about a quarter inch, then sew it closed. You can do this by machine with a straight stitch, or by hand with a ladder stitch (also called a whip stitch) if you want the seam to be invisible.

A ladder stitch is straightforward: thread a needle, knot the end, and slide the needle between the two folded edges so the knot hides inside. Bring the needle out through one folded edge, cross over to the opposite edge, go in and come back out about a quarter inch away, then cross back to the first side. The thread runs inside the fold and the seam disappears. Repeat until the opening is closed, then knot off inside the fold.

If you use a machine, just sew straight across the opening with a quarter-inch seam allowance. Either way, the seam should be strong enough that the elastic doesn't pull out when you use the scrunchie.

Variations and troubleshooting

If your scrunchie is too loose and slides out of hair, the elastic is probably too long or too loose. Next time, cut the elastic 5 inches instead of 6, or overlap the ends more when you sew them together. If it's too tight and pulls hair, the elastic is too short—use 7 inches next time.

For a thicker, more cushioned scrunchie, wrap the elastic with batting or fleece before threading it through the fabric tube. For a wider scrunchie that distributes pressure over more hair, cut the fabric rectangle 5 or 6 inches wide instead of 4. You can also add a layer of lace or a contrasting fabric strip down the center before you fold and sew, or embroider a design on the finished scrunchie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine or do I have to sew by hand?

Either works. A machine is faster and the seams are stronger, but hand sewing is quieter and gives you more control over small details. For the main tube seam, a machine is easier. For closing the final opening, hand sewing with a ladder stitch looks neater, but a machine stitch is fine too.

What kind of elastic should I use?

Any elastic works, but hair-tie elastic (also called fold-over elastic or FOE) is softer on hair than regular sewing elastic. If you can't find it, regular quarter-inch or half-inch elastic from a fabric store works just as well. Avoid very thick elastic meant for waistbands—it's too stiff for a scrunchie.

How do I make the scrunchie hold hair without slipping?

Use a knit or jersey fabric instead of woven cotton—the slight stretch and texture grip hair better. Make sure the elastic is tight enough that the scrunchie doesn't slide when you move your head. If it still slips, you can glue a small strip of non-slip fabric or rubber shelf liner to the inside of the tube before you close it.

Can I make scrunchies from fabric scraps?

Yes. Any scrap at least 4 inches by 8 inches works. Old t-shirts, pillowcases, and worn-out sheets are perfect because they're already soft. Patchwork scrunchies made from multiple fabric pieces look fun too—just sew the pieces together first, then cut your rectangle and proceed as normal.

How long does a sewn scrunchie last?

The fabric usually lasts longer than the elastic. After a few months of daily wear, the elastic loses its stretch and the scrunchie stops holding hair. When that happens, you can cut open the seam, remove the old elastic, thread in new elastic, and sew it closed again. The fabric is still good.