How to Make Your Own Fabric Scrunchies

Understanding Fabric Scrunchies and Why You Might Make Your Own

Fabric scrunchies are hair accessories made from elastic cord wrapped in fabric material. Unlike traditional rubber bands, they hold hair without creating tight creases or causing breakage. The fabric layer protects your hair from the metal clasps and rough edges found on standard hair ties. Many people prefer fabric scrunchies because they're gentler on all hair types, from fine and delicate strands to thick, curly hair.

Making your own fabric scrunchies offers several practical advantages. Store-bought versions often cost between $3 and $8 per scrunchie, while homemade versions typically cost less than $1 in materials. You can customize colors, patterns, and fabric types to match your personal style or create sets as gifts. The process requires basic sewing skills and takes about 15 to 20 minutes per scrunchie once you gather your materials.

Homemade scrunchies also work well for people with specific hair needs. If you have sensitive scalp conditions, you can select soft fabrics like silk or bamboo blends. If you prefer eco-friendly options, you can use organic cotton or recycled fabric scraps. Parents often make scrunchies for children's activities like dance class, sports, or school, where having multiple coordinating hair ties proves useful.

The DIY approach also teaches basic textile skills that apply to other sewing projects. You'll practice working with elastic, wrapping fabric neatly, and creating finished edges—techniques used in making headbands, wristbands, and other fabric-wrapped accessories.

Practical takeaway: Homemade fabric scrunchies cost less than purchased versions and can be customized to your hair type and style preferences.

Gathering Materials and Tools You'll Need

The basic materials for making fabric scrunchies are inexpensive and easy to find. You'll need elastic cord (also called ponytail elastic), which typically costs $2 to $4 for a pack containing enough material for 15 to 20 scrunchies. Fabric is your second main material—any quilting cotton, linen, or other medium-weight fabric works well. A fat quarter (an 18-inch by 22-inch piece of fabric) costs $1 to $3 and yields enough material for 4 to 6 scrunchies, depending on how wide you cut your strips.

For tools, you'll need basic sewing supplies. A needle and thread are the minimum requirement, though a sewing machine makes the process faster and creates stronger seams. Most people already own these items. A ruler or measuring tape helps you cut fabric strips to the correct width—typically 2 to 2.5 inches wide. Fabric scissors or rotary cutters create clean, straight cuts, though regular scissors work if you don't have specialty tools.

Optional materials can enhance your scrunchies. Interfacing (a stiff fabric backing) prevents your scrunchies from bunching during use, though it's not required. Decorative elements like small beads, embroidery thread for design, or bias tape for finished edges add visual interest. These materials cost extra but allow for creative personalization.

Finding materials is straightforward. Fabric stores like Joann carry all supplies, but you can also purchase elastic online through Amazon or craft retailers. Many people repurpose fabric from old clothing, bedsheets, or home goods, making the project nearly free if you use materials already at home. Check your scrap pile before buying new fabric.

Practical takeaway: Gather elastic cord, fabric scraps, thread, and basic sewing tools—most people have these supplies at home already.

Preparing and Cutting Your Fabric Correctly

Fabric preparation determines whether your finished scrunchies look neat and professional. Start by washing and drying your fabric if it's new, as this prevents shrinking and color bleeding later. If you're using repurposed fabric from old clothing or linens, launder it first using warm water and normal detergent. Press the fabric with an iron to remove wrinkles, creating a smooth surface for cutting straight lines.

Cutting fabric into uniform strips is the next step. Standard scrunchie strips measure 2 to 2.5 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches long. The width matters because fabric that's too narrow creates thin scrunchies that don't hold hair well, while overly wide fabric creates bulky scrunchies. The length depends on how much elastic you use—longer fabric allows you to wrap the elastic more completely for a fuller appearance.

For cutting, lay your fabric flat on a clean surface and use a ruler to mark your strip width. If you have a rotary cutter and self-healing cutting mat, position your ruler and roll the cutter along the edge to create clean, straight cuts. For hand-cutting with scissors, move slowly along the ruler's edge to maintain straight lines. Mark your cutting lines lightly with a pencil or fabric pencil first, then cut along these marks.

Many people cut multiple strips at once to make the process more efficient. Stack two to four fabric layers and cut through all layers simultaneously, which speeds up production if you're making several scrunchies. Ensure each strip is approximately the same size—slight variations of a quarter-inch don't significantly affect the final product, but large differences may result in scrunchies that look uneven when finished.

Practical takeaway: Cut fabric strips 2 to 2.5 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches long, keeping strips relatively uniform in size for consistent-looking results.

Sewing and Wrapping Elastic with Fabric

The core technique for making fabric scrunchies involves wrapping fabric around elastic cord. If you're using a sewing machine, start by placing your fabric strip right-side-down (the pretty printed side facing down). Fold the strip in half lengthwise, then sew along the long edge, creating a tube of fabric. Use a straight stitch and sew approximately a quarter-inch from the edge. Leave both short ends of the tube unsealed at this stage—you'll work with these later.

Once you've sewn the tube, turn it right-side-out so the printed pattern faces outward. A turning tool (a long, smooth stick or wooden spoon handle) helps push the fabric through the tube. Feed the elastic through the fabric tube carefully. Ponytail elastic is fairly stiff, so it slides through reasonably well, though larger diameter elastic may require more patience. The elastic should stretch from one end of the fabric tube to the other, creating a casing.

If you're hand-sewing instead of using a machine, the process is similar but slower. Fold your fabric strip right-side-in, then use a running stitch (pushing the needle in and out along the seam line) to sew the long edge. Use small, even stitches—approximately one-eighth inch—for durability. After hand-sewing, turn the tube right-side-out using the same method as machine-sewn versions.

Hand-sewing method variations exist for those without sewing machines. Some people fold the fabric strip right-side-out, encasing the elastic inside without creating a sewn tube first. Instead, they hand-stitch the long edges closed around the elastic directly. This method requires steady stitching but produces similar results. Whichever method you choose, ensure the stitches are tight and secure so the fabric doesn't unravel with regular use.

Practical takeaway: Sew a fabric tube, turn it right-side-out, feed elastic through the opening, then seal the ends to create a finished scrunchie.

Sealing and Finishing the Edges

After you've threaded the elastic through your fabric tube, the final step involves sealing the short ends so the fabric and elastic stay securely together. Bring the two short ends of the fabric tube together, overlapping them by about half an inch. At this point, the elastic cord forms a loop inside the fabric. Pull the elastic snug to ensure your scrunchie will hold hair without being uncomfortably tight.

To seal the ends, fold the overlapping fabric edges inward approximately one-quarter inch and hand-stitch them together using a ladder stitch or whip stitch. The ladder stitch creates an invisible seam by stitching inside the fold of fabric, which looks professional and neat. Push