Learn to Make Scrunchies
Make colorful fabric scrunchies using safe scissors, elastic, and simple sewing or no-sew methods, practicing measuring, cutting, and hand-stitching skills.
Step-by-step guide to make fabric scrunchies
Step 1
Gather all your materials and clear a small workspace so you can work safely and comfortably.
Step 2
Measure and mark a fabric strip about 45 cm long and 12 cm wide using your ruler and then cut it out with scissors.
Step 3
Lay the fabric strip flat with the pattern side facing down and fold it lengthwise so the long edges meet.
Step 4
Use pins or clips to hold the long edges together along the fold so the strip stays aligned.
Step 5
Choose whether you will sew the long edge or use fabric glue for a no-sew scrunchie.
Step 6
If you chose to sew, hand-stitch the long edge with a running stitch leaving the short ends open; if you chose no-sew, glue the long edge and press it together until it holds.
Step 7
Use a pencil or chopstick to push one end and turn the fabric tube right side out so the pattern shows on the outside.
Step 8
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and use it to thread the elastic all the way through the fabric tube until it comes out the other end.
Step 9
Pull the elastic ends together and overlap them about 1 cm then sew them securely with a few stitches or fasten them with a tight knot or a small dab of glue.
Step 10
Tuck the raw fabric ends into each other so the open gap is hidden and then hand-sew the gap closed or glue it shut neatly.
Step 11
Scrunch and fluff the scrunchie fabric evenly around the elastic so it looks puffy and fun.
Step 12
Take a photo of your finished scrunchie and share your creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have elastic or a safety pin to thread the elastic through the fabric tube?
Use a spare hair tie or a strip of elastic cut from an old pair of underwear or tights for the elastic, and thread it through the fabric tube by fastening it to a straightened paperclip or a bobby pin instead of a safety pin.
My fabric tube is hard to turn right side out or the glued long edge keeps coming apart—how can I fix that?
Gently push the tube with a pencil, chopstick, or blunt knitting needle to help turn it right side out and, if the glued edge is loose, reinforce it by hand-stitching the long edge with a running stitch before turning the tube.
How can I adapt this scrunchie project for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children, have an adult pre-cut the 45 cm x 12 cm fabric strip and use fabric glue while supervising the safety-pinned threading step, and for older kids, challenge them to machine-sew the long edge, experiment with different elastic widths, or add decorative topstitching after step 12.
What are some easy ways to personalize or upgrade my finished scrunchie?
After step 12, personalize by sewing on a small bow or charm, adding a contrast ribbon tucked into the seam before closing the gap, or using fabric paint or embroidery on the 45 cm strip before assembling to create unique patterns.
Watch videos on how to make fabric scrunchies
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Facts about sewing for kids
♻️ You can upcycle old shirts or fabric scraps into scrunchies—each one uses just a small strip of fabric so it's great for reducing waste.
✂️ Making a scrunchie is a great kid-friendly project that teaches measuring, cutting, and simple hand-stitching or no-sew techniques.
🎀 Scrunchies are gentler on hair than plain elastic ties because the fabric spreads pressure and helps reduce breakage.
🌈 Scrunchies made a big comeback in the late 2010s as part of Y2K and '90s fashion nostalgia, driven by colorful styles on social media.
🧵 The scrunchie was invented by Rommy Revson in 1986 and originally sold under the brand name Scünci.
How do you make a scrunchie?
What materials do I need to make fabric scrunchies?
What ages is this scrunchie-making activity suitable for?
Is making scrunchies safe for kids? Safety tips to follow
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