Sew Cute: Retro Headband

It’s just started to warm up here in Chicago, so of course I’m already dreaming of summer. I can’t wait for the barbecues and the late sunsets, and especially the warm-weather fashions. After bundling up for the freezing-cold winter, it’s beyond amazing to slip on a cute sundress and sandals during the day. I tend to adopt a retro-inspired look year-round, but I think it’s extra fun to add some vintage flair to my wardrobe during the summer. And that includes my hair: I’ve never been particularly skilled at complicated styles, but I can rock a headband with the best of them.

This week’s craft is inspired by the summery styles of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The wide headband was worn by some of my favorite fashionable women of that era, from Sandra Dee to Daphne from “Scooby Doo.” I love how this headband gives a polished look with almost zero effort (I might be lazy). Plus, it gives similar coverage to a scarf, so it’s perfect for keeping your hair in place during a breezy day at the shore.

Materials:

• Colorful or patterned fabric (I recommend cotton or linen)
• Thread in a corresponding color to the fabric
• 1/2-inch wide elastic (black or white—use whatever works best with your fabric)
• Scissors
• Piece of paper
• Ballpoint pen
• Measuring tape
• Straight pins
• Basic sewing needle or sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board

Craft away:

Fold the paper in half. Draw a tapered, rounded shape onto the paper, 3-inches wide at the base, 1-inch wide at the top, and 7-inches tall. Cut out the shape and unfold it.

Trace the template twice onto the back of the fabric. Add 1/2-inch all the way around both shapes, and then cut them out.

Fold the short ends of each piece of fabric in 1/2-inch, and iron them to set the folds in place.

Pin the two pieces of fabric together, with right sides touching.

Sew the two pieces of fabric together with a sewing machine or a needle and thread. Use the traced lines from earlier as your guide—this means your stitches will be 1/2-inch in from the edge of the fabric. Leave the short ends with the folds unstitched.

Turn the headband right side out, and iron it to set the shape.

Cut an 8-inch long piece of elastic.

Slip each end of the elastic into the open ends of the headband piece, and pin the elastic to hold it in place.

Stitch the elastic in place using the sewing machine or needle and thread. Keep your stitches close to the edge of the fabric to hide your work.

Tease up your hair, put on your new handmade headband, and show off your sweet retro style!