When you make a fabric scrunchie that’s totally tubular, your hair accessories will go from fad to rad.
OK, so I clearly had a momentary flashback to the 80’s. Then again, so has recent fashion and the scrunchie is back!
(Or maybe it just never left? You tell me.)
Fabric Scrunchies Are Perfect For Any Holiday
Fabric scrunchies are perfect for the any time of year because not only are women wearing them, but they are also popular with the tween and teen crowd.
So if you’re looking to make a small gift for family and friends, you can’t go wrong by making a fabric hair tie.

These fabric scrunchies can be gifted in a variety of ways. You can:
– Include one as a stocking stuffer.
– Use a scrunchie as part of the gift wrap ribbon or ties.
– Create an ornament for the Christmas tree and include a little gift card explaining how to use it after the tree is recycled.
– Use it to close the top of a wine bag as part of a hostess gift.
Fabric scrunchies are totally tubular and versatile!
Materials And Tools You Need To Make A Fabric Scrunchie
This project is also a great fabric scrap buster.
Those strips of fabric you’ve been saving in a bag or box somewhere knowing they would find a home someday? Locate them and let’s get to work.
To make a fabric hair tie, you only need two materials and several “tools”. These are:
– 18″ x 4″ piece of 100% cotton fabric
If you’re new to making a fabric scruchnie, I recommend starting with 100% cotton fabric before branching out to satin or velvet.
– 8″ of 1/4″ elastic
– Sewing machine
It’s all straight stitching so any sewing machine will do.
– Sewing clips
I have put away the pins for good and sewing clips the only things I use these days.
They are easier to use and if you drop one by mistake, they don’t get lost in the carpet. They also come in a storage tin so they are not only easily contained but also portable.
I bought this sewing clip set on Amazon* a couple of years ago and never looked back. (*As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission if your make a purchase using the link.)
– Safety pin
For the longest time, I stopped using safety pins and couldn’t even easily find some in the house.
But, like the scrunchie, safety pins have made a comeback! I started using them again to thread t-shirt yarn through a fabric mask channel. And now, the safety pin is the easiest way to thread the elastic through the fabric tube.
Make A Phenomenal Fabric Scrunchie In Fifteen Minutes
This project takes less than 15 minutes so you can easily make several of them in one sitting.
Step 1: Fold the fabric in half right sides together, long edges touching and clip.

The fabric scrunchie is just a long tube of fabric that is used to cover the elastic.
To start forming the tube, fold the fabric in half, with right sides and long edges touching.
Clip to secure so that it doesn’t wiggle while you’re sewing.
Step 2: Sew the edges together using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Sew the edges together using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
I don’t do a 1/8″ seam allowance to make sure that both edges are easily caught in the seam. Plus through constant use, there will be a lot of stress on the seam.
Step 3: Attach a safety pin to one edge and turn right sides out.

The tube is complete. Now it’s time to turn it right sides out.
This is where the safety pin comes in.
Take the safety pin and attach it to one edge
Push the top of the safety pin toward the inside of the tube,
Then, continue to push the safety pin through the fabric tube to turn it right sides out.

Step 4: Use safety pin to thread elastic through the tube.

That trusty safety pin is your friend again!
This time, you’ll use it to help you thread the elastic through the tube.
Hold onto the end of the elastic without the pin while pushing the safety pin through so it doesn’t get pulled all the way through the tube.

Now it should look like a real scrunchie that just needs some finishing touches.
Step 5: Use an overhand knot to tie the elastic ends together.

Remove the safety pin from the end of the elastic, then tie the ends together using an overhand knot.
Step 6: Fold one end of the fabric about 1/4″ to finish the edge.

The fabric edges are still raw edges and haven’t been sewn together.
To complete the scrunchie, you need to finish one of the edges by tucking it toward the inside of tube about 1/4″.
The folded edge means the raw edge will now be trapped on the inside of the hair tie.
Step 7: Tuck the end with the raw edge into the tube so it’s covered by finished edge.

The other fabric edge is still raw so it needs to be tucked away as well.
To do this, stuff it into the fabric tube so that the raw edge is now covered by the finished edge. This should also be about 1/4″.
Step 8: Top stitch using 1/8″ seam allowance to finish.

Sewing it all together is the last step.
Top stitch using a 1/8″ seam allowance with the folded fabric edge as your guide.
This will sew the fabric pieces together and attach it to the elastic so that it doesn’t shift around either.
Fabric Scraps Are Awesome All Scrunched Up!

Fabric scraps really do look awesome all scrunched up.
The beauty of making your own fabric scrunchies is that you can easily make something to match someone’s favorite outfit. They’re personal and unique and useful.
How can you go wrong?
Free Printable Tutorial: How To Make A Fabric Scrap Scrunchie
How To Make A Fabric Scrunchie From Scraps

It's easy to make a fabric scrunchie from fabric scraps and 1/4" elastic. Plus, this project only takes 10 - 15 minutes. So, you can make a bunch of them in an hour to have for a fun, little gift.
You can use any kind of fabric for this hair scrunchie, but if you're new to making them, it's best to start with 100% cotton fabric.
Materials
- 18" x 4" piece of 100% cotton fabric
- 8" piece of 1/4" elastic
Tools
- Safety pin
- Sewing machine
- Sewing clips
Instructions
- Fold fabric in half, right sides together and long edges touching.
- Clip the edges together to secure.
- Sew the long edges together using 1/4" seam allowance.
- Attach the safety pin to one edge of the fabric and use it to help turn the fabric tube right sides out.
- Detach the safety pin to the fabric and attach it to the elastic.
- Use the safety pin to thread the elastic through the fabric tube and pull it through the other end of the tube.
- Tie the ends of the elastic together in a knot.
- Fold the raw edge of one of the fabric ends toward the inside of the tube to create a finished edge.
- Take the end with the raw edge and tuck it into the other side so the finished edge covers about 1/2" of the side with the raw edge.
- Top stitch the edge closed using a 1/8" seam allowance.