Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial

Have you noticed that headbands seem to be coming back in-style? I have always loved headbands and I think they are super cute way to enhance an outfit!

As you have read in my previous posts, I love repurposing items. Several weeks ago I repurposed a woman’s sweater and turned it into a little girl’s cardigan (remember this post?) Well, when I was transforming the sweater into one that would fit my daughter, I cut off the bottom 2-3 inches of the sweater to make it the right length for her.

I kept seeing that strip of felted sweater laying around my craft area and finally decided to do something with it. In the most recent issue of “Altered Couture” magazine a woman took many different tops and turned them into really neat embellished headbands, so I decided to do the same. Here is my tutorial on how to make an embellished sweater headband:

Embellished Sweater Headband Tutorial

Supplies:

1 plastic headband

3 scraps of fabric

Embroidery Floss

Fusible Interfacing (I used Wonder Under)

Scissors

13″ – 15″ long strip of sweater material (2″-3″ wide)

Pencil

Hand Sewing Needle

Sewing Machine

Directions:

Cut 3 different sized circles. You will need 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized. You will also need a front and back of each circle. For example if you need 2-small sized, then you will need to cut 4 circles. You will also cut fusible interfacing for each circle set – 2-small sized, 2-medium sized, and 1-large sized.

I just used some different objects around my house to make these circles (i.e. a cup, the lid to a jar). The exact sizes are as follows; small – 2 inch, medium – 3 inch, large – 3.25 inch. But just make them whatever size you like.

Use fusible interfacing for each circle set to bond the front and the back together. This will give each circle some stability and structure. Follow the instructions for whatever brand of interfacing you are using.

After you have fused all of the circles together, fray-check around the edges so that your circles stay neat. If you like the frayed look, then feel free to skip this step.

Now, onto making the actually sweater headband.

Fold your sweater strip in half and pin.

Sew your fabric strip so that you form a tube.

This is what your sweater tube will look like after you sew it together.

Now you need to turn your sweater tube right-side out so that your seam is on the inside.

Now slide your plastic headband inside of the sweater tube.

Sew your sweater tube closed around the headband. Cut off excess sweater material.

Now hand-sew your circles onto your sweater headband. You can do this however you like – I chose to layer the circles and added decorative stitching around the exterior of each circle with embroidery floss.

PS: Sorry, the picture above is not the best – it was my best effort at taking a picture of myself wearing the headband.

Cottage Mama’s Note: If you are making this for a child, then reduce the size of your circles. Also, if you prefer a more subtle headband, then you can simply do the sweater portion and omit the circles – that looks cute too!!

6 Comments

TheFancyFritter says

January 30, 2010 at 11:37 PM

Another great idea from you! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to go out & get some headbands now! 🙂
The Wife says

January 31, 2010 at 9:34 AM

Very cute!
tales from an oc cottage says

February 3, 2010 at 9:49 AM

How fun!!!

m ^..^
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com says

February 4, 2010 at 8:43 AM

I love headbands! How cute! Stop on by and link this up at Make it, Wear it!
The Little Red Hen says

April 28, 2011 at 2:25 AM

how darn cute!!! I am gonna love getting your emails.
god bless
vanessa
Sophie says

December 19, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Hi! I love this project! I was wondering if I could use very sturdy felt instead of wonder under.
Thanks
~Sophie 🙂