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I love headbands; they’re fast and easy knit projects for beginners, great gifts, fabric scrap projects, and I wear them all the time! I have a super simple way for how to make athletic headbands today, it uses up the long, thin knit fabric scraps that are otherwise hard to make something with.
I wear headbands all the time while hiking, so I thought this tutorial would be a perfect fit alongside the deodorant I use! Tom’s of Maine® Long Lasting Deodorant in Wild Lavender and Tom’s of Maine® Long Lasting Deodorant in Natural Powder are two women’s options that I’ve tried and used for the past 6 years.
I know how long I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine® Long Lasting Deodorant in Wild Lavender because I switched when we decided to get pregnant with our first child All of their underarm and toothpaste products are made without artificial colors, flavors, fragrances or preservatives – all things we decided to cut out of our diets and our bathroom cabinets before trying to conceive.
Both me and my husband have been happy with their products and never switched back; it’s the cherry on the top that they donate 10% of profits to human and environmental causes and never test on animals. As my kids get older, the longer we can spend hiking, so it is great to bring on hikes when I am feeling particularly sweaty, joining my other hiking essentials: snacks, water, flashlight, spare clothes, first aid kit, snacks, and a compass/whistle.
If you’ve never sewn knit fabric or always wanted to, this is a great sewing tutorial to get started! I tried to take as many pictures as I could to make it super clear.
You can find Tom’s of Maine® Long Lasting Deodorant in Wild Lavender at Target, shown here on an end cap. Pin this tutorial for how to make athletic headbands with this link or picture:
How to make athletic headbands
Supplies
- 1/4 yard of athletic fabric – preferably dyed (not printed) so the wrong side of the fabric is colorful and not white. Needs to be at least 8% spandex, super stretchy like leggings.
- Ballpoint/stretch needles
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter
- Acrylic ruler
Steps
Step 1– Lay out your fabric with the stretchiest direction laying lengthwise (see below for a visual). Trim off the “selvage” which is the machine edge that has tiny holes.
Step 2– Flip over the fabric and cut the other end so it ends up being about 19″ long. This fit me comfortably; my head is on the larger size and some of it will be dependent on your comfort level and head shape. It’s always easier to cut off more than add some on, after you try it on.
Step 3– Rotate the fabric so the stretchiest part is now going up and down, cut it to 4 inches wide.
Step 4– Use ballpoint/stretch/jersey needles and a stretch stitch – this either looks like a zigzag or a triple stitch, like I’m using.
Step 5– Put the fabric “right sides together” (so the edges are curling in towards each other) and sew the short edges together, using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Step 6– Open your seam up and sew each side down flat.
Step 7– Fold both ends in towards each other, flip it over, and sew down the middle.
Step 8 – Pull the headband lengthwise so the ends curl up evenly, trim your hanging thread, and you’re done!
Knit fabric doesn’t fray, so there is no need to do anything else. Your headband is ready to be washed, worn, and worked out in!
Nadia
Thursday 10th of June 2021
I am excited to make these Jersey headbands thank you showing the needles I didn’t know ! 😍
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 4th of July 2023
happy sewing!!
Susan
Thursday 30th of January 2020
How many headbands does a 1/4 yard make?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 10th of May 2020
That would depend how wide it is!
Stephanie
Thursday 2nd of August 2018
I love how detailed your post is, especially where you showed the jersey needles. Im excited to make a few of these hadbands. It's fun to be able to customize and make something your own.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Friday 3rd of August 2018
I'd love to see them when you do, thanks Stephanie!