Make a pretty rainbow headband to wear on Saint Patrick’s Day so you don’t get pinched. This cute spring sewing tutorial uses scrap fabric and can be made in about an hour.
For the first time that I can remember, Saint Patrick’s Day falls on the Monday after spring break this year. In the past, my kids have always been on vacation on the holiday, so they can wear whatever they want. They both have several Saint Patrick’s Day shirts that they wear to avoid getting pinched (by each other). Since they’ll be back at school this year, they have to wear uniforms. Red, white and blue uniforms. I wanted to come up with a fun accessory to wear that was uniform-approved and green.
My daughter just got her hair cut and is in need of some new accessories to keep her newly-short locks back out of her eyes. That’s what inspired me to make this cute rainbow headband. Follow my rainbow headband sewing tutorial to make one for your own child (or yourself!).
Rainbow headband sewing tutorial
Supplies
- scrap fabric or fat quarters
I used red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. If you don’t have every color, leaving one out is fine. - elastic
I used 1-inch wide in white because that’s what I had. - basic sewing supplies
thread, scissors, pins, etc.
Instructions
Cut each piece of fabric into a 1″x6″ rectangle. If you are using less than six different colors, adjust the 1″ measurement so that the total adds up to about 6″ that direction too. It doesn’t have to be precise, but you want the headband to go all the way across your child’s forehead.
Line up the colored strips in order. With right sides facing, sew each piece onto the one next to it along the long side with a straight stitch and a quarter-inch seam. When you’re done, all the seams will be on the back side of the square.
Fold the right sides facing again, with each color more or less lining up with itself. Sew the edges together with a straight stitch and a quarter-inch seam. You should end up with a tube.
Turn it right side out and iron it with the long seam in about the middle.
This is where a third hand would be, well, handy. Start with one end and fold the corners in, leaving a hole the width of the elastic. Sew the corners down with a straight stitch and a quarter-inch seam.
Insert the elastic into the open hole. Using a zig-zag stitch and a quarter-inch seam, sew the elastic in place. I went over mine twice to make sure it was really secure.
Now measure the elastic by stretching it around your head (or your child’s head). You want the headband to be snug, but comfortable. Cut it to the appropriate length. Mine came out to 13″ of elastic (for a total headband circumference of about 18-1/2″).
Repeat the folding and stitching process on the other end. Trim any threads and you’re done.
I’m really pleased with how this turned out. Now I just have one thing to worry about. What do I make for my son?
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