Beginner · 15–20 minutes · 6 steps
How to sew a scrunchie
A scrunchie uses a scrap of fabric, one length of elastic and about fifteen minutes. It's also a perfect way to learn turning a tube right side out and closing a gap by hand — two things you'll use on much bigger projects.
How it's constructed
- Shape
- A fabric tube gathered onto a loop of elastic
- Size
- Strip about 55 x 12 cm for a full scrunchie
- Closure
- Gap closed by hand or machine at the end
- Elastic
- 20–25 cm of 6–10 mm elastic
Fabrics that work
- Silk or satin (kindest to hair)
- Cotton poplin or lawn for a crisp everyday version
- Velvet for a fuller, softer scrunchie
What you'll need
- 6–10 mm elastic
- A safety pin or bodkin
- Hand-sewing needle
The steps, in order
- 01
Cut one strip of fabric
About 55 x 12 cm gives a generous scrunchie. Shorten the strip for a smaller one, or narrow it for a flatter look.
- 02
Fold and stitch the long edge
Fold the strip in half lengthways, right sides together, and stitch the long edge — leaving both short ends open.
- 03
Turn the tube right side out
Push a chopstick or safety pin through and work the tube through itself. Press lightly, keeping the seam at the back.
- 04
Thread the elastic
Pin a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed it through the whole tube. Pin the free end to the fabric so it can't slip inside.
- 05
Join the elastic ends
Overlap the ends by 1.5 cm and stitch back and forth several times, or zigzag across, so the join won't pop.
- 06
Join the fabric ends
Tuck one raw end inside the other, fold the outer edge under, and either topstitch across or slipstitch it closed by hand for an invisible finish.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Cutting the strip too short
Without plenty of surplus fabric there's nothing to gather and it looks like a plain band.
Letting go of the elastic
It disappears into the tube and has to be fished out. Pin the free end before you start threading.
Overlapping the elastic too little
A 5 mm overlap pulls apart the first time it's stretched over a ponytail.
Techniques used in this project
Each one is explained on its own page, step by step.
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