easy stretchy baby headband tutorial

Hee hee! Isn't this the cutest picture ever? I love this little sweetie. I also have a new niece coming in September, so I'm making all things girlie these days. When I found out my sister-in-law wanted to make some hair clips and headbands, I promised her a few tutorials. This one is perfect for Little Lizard King's hair bow tutorial yesterday, and my rosette tutorial coming up next week. There are probably hundreds of tutorials out there for these stretchy baby headbands, but this one is for you, Amy!

Easy Stretchy Baby Headband Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Pair of clean tights or thick nylon stockings (I found of pack of three bright colors at Walmart for $2!)--you could also use knit fabric, like an old t-shirt

*Rotary cutter or scissors

*Sewing machine and thread

1. Measure your baby's head circumference. As a general measurement, I use about 12" for newborns and 15" for 6-12 months. But every baby is different! The great thing is that the nylon is super stretchy and soft.



2. Using a rotary cutter or scissors, cut your length and cut off the toe of the tights (if necessary).


3. Tuck one open end into the other. If you want to get all fancy, fold over the raw edge and pin. I'm not very fancy.


4. Using a basting stitch (stitch length of 5), sew across where you overlapped the ends.



5. Pull one of the bottom threads to gather slightly.


6. Flatten out and, using a straight stitch with a normal stitch length (not basting), sew over the top of your basting stitch to secure the gather.

I think it's totally cute like this! You could stop here for a plain ruffled headband.


7. Cut another piece of your tights across the leg, about 1.5" to 2" wide.


8. Fold over this piece around the headband and stitch together. I used a zig-zap stitch.



9. Turn inside out so you can't see your seam and position over your gathered section. You can tack it down with a couple of stitches to keep it in place.



Wear it plain like this, or add a cute flower clip.


Just clip your bow or flower onto the middle section.



Complete cuteness.


Here's one I made out of an old t-shirt. I added ruffles and a flower made out of the same t-shirt. I love the raw edges. Shabby and e-a-s-y. Now go decorate a baby!