Make your own hair embroidery
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Create a decorative embroidered hairband or clip by stitching colorful floss onto felt with a blunt needle, then attaching it securely as a hair accessory.

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Step-by-step guide to make your own hair embroidery

What you need
Adult supervision required, blunt embroidery needle, embroidery floss, fabric glue, felt sheet, hairband or hair clip, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, scissors, scrap felt for backing

Step 1

Gather all the materials listed and bring them to your workspace.

Step 2

Use the ruler to measure the length of the hairband or clip and mark that length on the felt.

Step 3

Cut the felt to the marked length so it will fit the hairband or clip.

Step 4

Draw a simple decorative design directly onto the felt with the pencil or fabric marker.

Step 5

Cut a length of embroidery floss about 18 inches long.

Step 6

Thread the floss through the blunt needle.

Step 7

Tie a small knot at the end of the floss to keep it from pulling through the felt.

Step 8

Stitch the drawn design on the felt using simple stitches like running stitch or lazy daisy.

Step 9

Tie a knot on the back of the felt to secure the floss when your stitching is finished.

Step 10

Trim the extra thread close to the knot with the scissors.

Step 11

Cut a matching piece of scrap felt to use as a backing for the embroidered piece.

Step 12

Glue the backing felt to the back of the embroidered piece and press it flat to hide the stitches.

Step 13

Glue the embroidered piece onto the hairband or clip and press to hold it in place.

Step 14

Let the glue dry completely before using the hair accessory.

Step 15

Share your finished embroidered hairband or clip on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of felt, embroidery floss, or a blunt needle if those are hard to find?

If you can't find felt, use a doubled cotton scrap or craft foam, swap embroidery floss for thin yarn or stranded cotton thread, and use a plastic tapestry needle or a large-eye sewing needle to thread the 18-inch floss.

My stitches keep pulling through or the knot slips—how do I fix that?

Stabilize thin felt by gluing a scrap backing felt or interfacing to the back before stitching, use a shorter 12–14 inch length of floss to reduce tangles, and secure the end with a tight knot plus a tiny dab of craft glue before trimming the extra thread.

How can I adapt the project for different ages?

For toddlers, pre-cut the felt to the measured length and let them add glued-on decorations with a plastic blunt needle and thick yarn; for elementary kids, have them draw simple designs and stitch a running stitch with the 18-inch floss; for teens, encourage detailed designs, lazy daisy stitches, and adding beads before gluing the piece onto the hairband or clip.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the embroidered hairband or clip?

Personalize by layering cut felt shapes, sewing in seed beads or sequins into the stitches, embroidering initials or small motifs on the felt, then glue the embroidered piece onto the hairband or clip and share the finished accessory on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make your own hair embroidery

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Facts about embroidery and sewing for kids

⏱️ A simple embroidered hairband or clip can be finished in about 30–60 minutes — perfect for a quick craft session or gift.

🪡 Blunt (tapestry) needles are great for kids because their rounded tips ease through felt without sharp pricks.

🌈 Embroidery floss usually has six strands you can separate to make thin or bold stitches and mix bright colors.

🧵 Embroidery is one of the world's oldest textile arts — stitched decorations have been found on garments thousands of years old.

🎀 Felt is made by matting fibers together, so it doesn't fray and gives clean edges for hairbands and clips.

How do you make embroidered hairbands or clips?

Start by tracing and cutting felt into a band shape or small shape for a clip. Thread colorful embroidery floss through a blunt, plastic-tipped needle. Knot the floss, then use simple stitches (running, back, or French knots) to create patterns on the felt. Stitch until design is complete, knot securely on the back, and trim excess floss. Attach to an elastic headband with hot glue or sew a metal/alligator clip to the felt. Let glue dry before wearing.

What materials do I need for hair embroidery?

You'll need: small pieces of felt, embroidery floss in assorted colors, blunt-tipped (plastic) needles, scissors, a headband or blank clip base, needle threader (optional), a ruler or template, masking tape or fabric glue, and a glue gun for secure attachment. For safety use low-temperature glue around children and extra sturdy hardware if the accessory will be worn regularly. Substitute fabric glue and hand-stitching if you prefer no hot glue.

What ages is this activity suitable for?

This craft suits ages roughly 6 and up with adult supervision. Younger kids (4–6) can decorate pre-cut felt pieces using simple stitching with a large blunt needle and thicker floss while an adult handles cutting, sewing reinforcement, and attaching hardware. Children 8+ can complete more detailed designs and sew clips or bands independently. Adjust complexity, needle size, and glue use based on the child's fine motor skills and supervision level.

What are the benefits and safety tips for hair embroidery?

Benefits include improving fine motor skills, color recognition, patience, and creativity while giving children a wearable result they feel proud of. Safety tips: always use blunt plastic needles, supervise hot-glue or scissors, pre-cut small parts for younger children, and securely fasten hardware to avoid choking hazards. Teach proper needle handling and store floss and clips out of reach when not in use. Consider using fabric glue instead of hot glue for very young kids.
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