Ruched Headband Tutorial

I was utterly flattered when Dana, the star of skillfulness, queen of creativity, princess of projects, requested my presence on her blog for a most sublime celebration of mothers!  She and Disney of ruffles and stuff are in the midst of a two week celebration with a plethora of present potential projects for the mothers in your life, stories, and giveaways, so stay tuned for all the goodness.

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Meanwhile, here is what I came up with for you seamstresses to play with:

The Ruched Headband

 

Getting Started

Materials:

3'' X 15'' piece of felt

1 yard of lightweight fabric*

35'' bias (store bought or hand made)

Matching thread

Click on and print pattern piece at 137%--just the first page

*On fabric choice:  I used some scraps of lining that worked wonderfully well, but experiment with what you have on hand.  I also did some with sheer fabric which also worked nicely, but keep in mind the felt color will show through a sheer.

1  Cut out headband base out of felt on the fold

2  Cut a rectangle 30'' X 3'' (I used lining for this tutorial)

 

3  Fold fabric in half and cut 1/2'' off each side, tapering until 4'' from fold

4  Unfold and baste 2 rows down each side, one at 1/4'' and the other at 1/2''.  

Do this by making the stitch on your machine as long as it will allow and 

DO NOT backstitch, leaving your threads long on each end

5  Take the top two threads on each side and pull, working the fabric down the threads

6  Repeat on other side until the fabric is the length of the felt base

7  Pin fabric to felt and baste down each side.  DO NOT backstitch

8  Remove the first set of basting stitches (see step 4) and trim excess fabric

*You can use store bought double folded bias, or you can make your own

9  Fold you fabric at a 45 degree angle and cut

10  Cut a strip 1 1/4'' wide

11  Fold end of bias back 1/4'' and pin around entire headband

12  Stitch, using a regular stitch 1/4'' backstitching when you stop and start

13  Fold bias under and pin.  Stitch in place by hand on the back side, or use the machine

14  If you use the machine, edgestitch just on the inside of the bias

*For the tie you can use purchased ribbon, some lace, 

or you can sew on a length of elastic

15  For the tie, cut a piece from the same fabric, 2 rectangles 27'' X 7''

16  Fold each strip in half and cut at an angle.  Stitch angled edge and down the open edge 1/4'', leaving bottom edge open.

17  Trim point as pictured

18  Turn inside out using the woman-known put-on-panty-hose 

method of gathering the material on your thumbs.  

Before pulling the fabric down, 

gently push out the point using a bone folder or tip of a pen lid

19  Turn open end in 1/4'', press and edgestitch

20  Attach ties by folding end into a "z", pin, and sew a semi-circle around each end

*This is an original design of Sew Apropos (of No Big Dill).  Feel free to make these for personal use, but please do not mass produce and/or sell without contacting me to establish remuneration.  Thank you and have fun with it!