Sew a Satin Braided Headband

 How to Sew a Satin Braided Head Band

This pattern will walk you through selecting fabric, cutting out the fabric, and sewing the headband.

One Size Fits Most (Options to make larger or smaller in pattern)

A full video walkthrough of making the headband is available on my YouTube Channel @SewEmmyDesigns: https://youtu.be/qouMkutThHg 

FABRIC SELECTION

This pattern has been tested using satin or Brocade fabrics. Due to the thin nature of the pieces, it will be easiest to sew this using fabrics that can easily be turned, such as satin. Stretch materials have not been tested for this pattern. 

CUTTING OUT MATERIALS

• Three 2 x 35 inch (5.1 x 89 cm) pieces of material 

• One 3 x 15 inch (7.6 x 38 cm) piece of material

• One 7 inch (17.8 cm) piece of ¼ inch (0.64 cm) elastic 

• Thread of similar color

• Sewing Machine

• Iron

• Pins or Quilting Clips

• Fabric Shears/Rotary Cutter

• Tape Measure

• Safety Pin and/or Turning Tool 

SEWING THE HEAD BAND

Common Practices:

• All seams are done in a straight stitch

• ½ inch ( 1.27 cm) seam allowance

• Be sure to back stitch all seams

Describing the Fabric

All fabric has a “right side” (the print of the material) and a “wrong side” (the back of the material) (Figure A). This pattern will refer to the right and wrong side when walking through the steps. 

Figure A

Steps

1. Begin cutting out your materials using the provided dimensions. (Figure 1) You should have four rectangle pieces of fabric and one piece of elastic. 

Figure 1

 

2. With the three longer rectangle pieces, fold the piece longwise with the right sides together (Figure 2). Pin or use quilting clips to hold it in place. Repeat for the other two pieces. There should be three rectangles ready to be sewn up now. Repeat these steps for the fourth rectangle (wider rectangle) as well.

Figure 2 - Three Thin Rectangles

3. Take a straight seam for each rectangle.

4. Set aside the wider rectangle, and turn the three thin rectangles right side out. Since this is a very narrowing opening to turn, feel free to use a turning tool or a safety pin. I found a safety pin the most helpful. (Figure 3) Take the pin, and attach it to one end of the rectangle. (Figure 4) Push the pin into the opening (Figure 5) and gently guide it through and pull. (Figure 6) This should turn the fabric right side out. (Figure 7)  

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

5. Once all three are turned right side out, line up one short edge for each, pin them together on that edge (Figure 8), and take a seam to hold in place. (Figure 9)

Figure 8

Figure 9

6. Begin braiding the three pieces of fabric together, as you get further along (around 15 inches in (38 cm)) test out the length against your head. I had the braid go near the base of my ear on either side. 

7. Once you get a length you like, pin the braid off and take a seam across. (Figure 10)

Figure 10

8. Now it’s time to combine the elastic, braid, and last rectangle together to make a full headband. Add a safety pin to one end of the elastic, and then pin the non-safety pin end of the elastic to one of the short ends of the rectangle. (Figure 11) Next, pull the braid through the wider rectangle. Right sides of the braid and right side of the rectangle should be together. Redo the pin that was holding the elastic so it’s now holding in place the braid, elastic, and the rectangle. Take a seam (Figure 12)

Figure 11

Figure 12

9. Turn the rectangle right side out, which should be easy to do by pulling the braid out of the rectangle. (Figure 13) Using the safety pin, pull the elastic the rest of the way through the rectangle. Adjust the elastic to meet your sizing needs and place a pin to hold it for now.

Figure 13

10. Fold over the other rectangle edge about (½ inch (1.3 cm)), pull the elastic through (Figure 14), and then push the other edge of the braid into the loop. Pin everything together (Figure 15) and take a seam (½ inch (1.3 cm)) and then top stitch across (Figure 16). Repeat this stitching on the other side of the headband connection. 

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

11. Clip any threads. 

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At this point your headband is complete! (Figure 17) Be sure to check out my YouTube channel for a full video walk through (https://youtu.be/qouMkutThHg)!

Figure 17