Headbands are a quick and easy sewing project idea for beginners. I rounded up 24 of the best headband sewing patterns and tutorials I’ve seen. The patterns are all free printable PDF files!
This list includes:
- Multiple sizes for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults.
- Different fabric types (stretchy knits and non-stretch woven fabrics).
- Multiple styles: flat, wide, twisted, knotted, and bow headbands.
Flat headband sewing patterns & tutorials
Professionally-inspired wide headband with elastic (stretch fabric)
Download the pattern from Threads Monthly ($0)
This headband tutorial and pattern is based on professionally-made ones. I studied 7 headbands from stores to figure this out. Now you can copy $5 – $15 headbands for a fraction of the price!
Sizes: 8 sizes for 1 year old toddlers to XL adults.
Design features: a flat design in 2 widths (wide and extra wide). Elastic at the back.
Fabric type: lightweight stretchy knit fabric. For example, cotton single jersey, viscose jersey, polyester interlock jersey, etc.
File format: Printable PDF. US letter and A4 paper sizes. Cutting measurements are also included if you don’t have a printer.
Instructions included? yes, in this blog post. There are lots of step-by-step photos. The instructions are detailed and beginner-friendly. I included sewing machine settings and explanations of sewing words.
Flat tube headband with no elastic (stretch fabric)
Download the pattern from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom ($0)
Sizes: one size.
Design features: it’s a tube of stretchy fabric. 2 layers. No elastic. It’s quite a slim width.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
File format: printable PDF.
Slim headband with elastic (woven fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Craftsy
Sizes: one size.
Design features: slim width. Elastic at the back.
Fabric type: light to medium weight woven fabric (in other words, non-stretchy). For example, cotton.
Super wide headband (stretch fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on A Beautiful Mess
Sizes: one size.
Design features: a super-wide headband that gets wider at the top of the head. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
Flat headband with exposed elastic (woven fabric)
![[left] a hand holding 4 DIY headbands with elastic, [right] a girl wearing a blue and white headband.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/diy-headband-elastic-kids-aliceandlois.jpg)
Download the pattern from Alice & Lois ($0). Read the sewing tutorial.
Sizes: one size, but the elastic length is based on your head circumference.
Design features: a flat design that’s quite slim. Fold-over elastic is used at the back and left uncovered.
Fabric type: woven fabric. In other words, non-stretchy. For example, light to medium weight cotton poplin and quilting cotton.
File format: printable PDF.
Twisted ‘turban’ headband sewing patterns & tutorials
This headband style has a twist in the middle. It’s often called a ‘turban’ headband by stores but this probably isn’t an accurate description. Turbans look very different and have strong ties to certain cultures and religions.
Professionally-inspired twist headband (stretch fabric)
![[left] DIY purple twist headband on a table, [right] a female mannequin wearing the purple twist headband.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/diy-twist-knot-turban-headband-worn-on-table.jpg)
Download the pattern from Threads Monthly ($0)
This headband tutorial and pattern is based on professionally-made ones. I bought and took apart 2 twist headbands to figure this out. Now you can copy how many stores make headbands for a fraction of the price!
Sizes: 8 sizes for 1 year old toddlers to XL adults.
Design features: a twisted knot in the middle. Elastic at the back. It’s not very wide and the twisted knot is small and subtle.
Fabric type: lightweight stretchy knit fabric. For example, cotton single jersey, viscose jersey, polyester interlock jersey, etc.
File format: Printable PDF. US letter and A4 paper sizes. Cutting measurements are also included if you don’t have a printer.
Instructions included? yes, in this blog post. There are lots of step-by-step photos. The instructions are detailed and beginner-friendly. I included sewing machine settings and explanations of sewing words.
Wide twisted headband (stretch fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Do It Yourself Diva’s
Sizes: any size. It’s based on your head circumference.
Design features: wide width. The twisted knot in the middle is quite big. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
Wide twisted headband (stretchy fabric)
Sizes: any size. Cut 2 rectangles that are 6″ tall and the width is your head circumference + 1″.
Design features: wide width. Big twisted knot in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: lightweight stretchy knit fabric.
Wide twisted ‘turban’ headband (stretch fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Leigh Anne Wilkes
Sizes: 2 sizes for kids and adults.
Design features: wide width. Twist in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
Knot headband sewing patterns & tutorials
Large knot headband (stretch fabric)
Sizes: any size. Cut 1 rectangle that’s 6″ tall and the length is your head circumference + 6″.
Design features: a thick knot is tied in the middle. It’s quite wide. No elastic.
Fabric type: medium to heavyweight stretchy knit fabric. The thicker your fabric is, the bigger the knot will be.
Small knot headband (stretch fabric)
![[left] a baby wearing a diy knot headband, [right] a strawberry print knot headband on a white table.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/baby-knot-headband-thesaraproject.jpg)
Read the sewing tutorial on The Sara Project
Sizes: any size. It’s based on your head circumference – 2″.
Design features: narrow width. A small knot is tied in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
Overlapped knot headband with elastic (stretch fabric)
![[top] 2 white and cheetah print diy knot headbands, [bottom] a woman wearing the cheetah print knot headband.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/knot-diy-headband-rosypena.jpg)
Download the pattern from Rosy Pena ($0). Read the sewing tutorial.
Sizes: one size.
Design features: wide width. A separate piece of fabric is tied around the middle to create a faux knot. Elastic is used at the back.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
File format: printable PDF.
Bow headband sewing patterns & tutorials
Knotted bow headband with no elastic (stretch fabric)
Download the pattern from Coral & Co ($0)
Sizes: 7 sizes for newborn babies, toddlers, teens, and adults.
Design features: 2 widths: narrow and wide. A knotted bow in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: 1/4 yard of knit fabric like single jersey or interlock.
Instructions included? yes, in this blog post. It has illustrations and a video tutorial. The printable version is here.
Large top knot bow headband with no elastic (stretch fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Sweet Red Poppy
Sizes: 3 sizes for toddlers, kids, and adults.
Design features: wide headband. Big knotted bow in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: light or medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
There’s also a video tutorial for this headband:
Large knotted bow headband for babies (stretch fabric)
![[left] orange diy headband, [right] a baby wearing the bow headband.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/baby-stretch-bow-top-knot-headband-somethingturquoise.jpg)
Read the sewing tutorial on Something Turquoise
Sizes: 4 sizes for newborn babies to 3-year-old toddlers.
Design features: wide width. Big knotted bow in the middle. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
Rounded bow headband (stretch fabric)
![left] a girl wearing an orange bow headband, [right] diy orange bow headband on a white table.](https://threadsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/baby-knot-headband-howdoesshe.jpg)
Download the pattern from How Does She ($0). Read the sewing tutorial.
Sizes: one size, but there are instructions on where to lengthen or shorten the pattern.
Design features: knotted bow in the middle. Slim width. No elastic.
Fabric type: light to medium weight stretchy knit fabric.
50’s inspired bow tie headband with elastic (woven fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Momtastic
Sizes: one size for teens/adults.
Design features: slim width. Large knotted bow. Uncovered elastic is used at the back to let the headband stretch.
Fabric type: woven fabric (in other words, non-stretchy). Medium weight cotton and linen would work for this. You need fabric with some structure so the bow stays up.
Large knotted bow headband with elastic (woven fabric)
Sizes: any size. Cut 4 rectangles that are 4″ tall and the width is your head circumference – 4″. Cut 2 rectangles that are 1.5″ x 12″. The elastic length is 4″.
Design features: pointed bow at the front. The bow is created by knotting the front pieces together. Elastic at the back.
Fabric type: lightweight woven fabric (in other words, non-stretchy). For example, cotton.
Knotted bow headband (stretch fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Mary Martha Mama
Sizes: one size, but it should fit most teens/adults because you knot the headband wherever you want.
Design features: slim width. Pointed bow. The bow is created by knotting the front pieces together. No elastic.
Fabric type: medium weight stretchy knit fabric. A lightweight and drapey knit (like viscose jersey) will create a floppy bow.
Knotted bow headband with elastic (woven fabric)
Download the pattern from Sugar Bee Crafts ($0). Read the sewing tutorial.
Sizes: one size. The designer says that it should fit most people because you tie the knot according to your head.
Design features: knotted bow at the front. Elastic at the back. The bow has a curved shape. The headband is quite wide.
Fabric type: light to medium weight woven fabric (in other words, non-stretchy). Use a fabric with some crisp structure to make sure the bows ‘stick out’ (like in the photos). For example, cotton poplin and quilting cotton would work well.
Long bow headband with wire (woven fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Sarah Hearts
The video tutorial is on her Facebook page.
Sizes: one size, but it should fit most people because you knot the headband wherever you want.
Design features: there’s a wire inside that lets you shape the headband. It’s a slim width. No elastic.
Fabric type: woven fabric (in other words, non-stretchy). Medium-weight cotton would work well for this.
Unique DIY headband tutorials
Decorated raw elastic headbands
Read the sewing tutorial on A Beautiful Mess
Sizes: any size. Take away 2″ from your head circumference to decide how long to make the headband.
Design features: decorative trim is hot glued directly onto elastic to make this headband.
Celtic knot headband (stretchy fabric)
Read the sewing tutorial on Create Kids Couture
Sizes: unfortunately no measurements are given. I would use your head circumference measurement + 2″ for the knots. Based on the photos, I think the knots will use up more than 2″ of fabric, but that’s OK because we want some ‘negative ease’. Negative ease is when something is smaller than the body so that it stretches. In this case, we want the headband to stretch so it stays on.
Design features: celtic knot design.
Fabric type: the blogger used old tights, but in general stretchy knit fabrics will work. I recommend lightweight fabrics.
Wooden ring headband
Read the sewing tutorial on A Beautiful Mess
Sizes: one size.
Design features: wooden ring in the middle. Elastic at the back.
Fabric type: the blogger said knit or woven fabrics are fine. Light to medium weight.