How to Make a Scrunchie – With Free Pattern + Video Tutorial!
Whether those of us who were teenagers in the 90s like it or not, the 90s are back, along with its iconic clothing and accessories! Some of those trends I could definitely live without, but one that I’m super excited to see having a comeback is hair scrunchies! And as usually happens when an old trend becomes new again, we’re seeing lots of new fun scrunchie variations. One of my favorites are knotted scrunchies, and today I’m going to teach you both how to make a scrunchie, and how to make a fun DIY Bow Scrunchie!
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned sewist, scrunchies are the perfect scrap busting project (I’ve used many of these same fabrics for face masks to help during hospital shortages). Requiring just a fat quarter of fabric, they cost next to nothing to sew!
And for another fun version, try these Mini DIY Bow Scrunchies and learn how to make scrunchies that are perfect for putting hair half up or tying at the end of a braid!
I used some of my favorite scraps from Simple Simon & Co for Riley Blake (the adorable gold crowns, gold gingham, and black/white scallops), Dana Made it for Art Gallery (the pink honeycomb), See Kate Sew for Riley Blake (the lips), and more!
You can have a handful of these DIY scrunchies sewn up in no time, which makes them a perfect gift for friends, teachers, or yourself!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make scrunchies, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is! It’s won’t be long before you find you’ve already made a pile!
Pair one with our free cowl neck hoodie pattern, or DIY Be Kind Iron-on T-shirt, and you’ll have comfort + fashion in the bag. Or wrap one around your ponytail, paired with our free tank top pattern when you head to the gym, and you’ll be working out in style!
Make a different one to match each outfit, and you’ll always have the perfect accessory throw on!
Read on to learn how to make a scrunchie, or watch our DIY Knot Scrunchie Video Tutorial below (you can also watch it here on YouTube if you prefer)!
How to Make a Scrunchie
Supplies (for each scrunchie):
fat quarter fabric
8″ length of 1/4″ wide elastic (8″ will allow the scrunchie to wrap around 3 times for average hair thickness – you can use a shorter or longer length to adjust for thinner/thicker hair or personal preference)
safety pin
basic sewing supplies
ACCESS FREE KNOT SCRUNCHIE PATTERN HERE. You’ll be taken through the checkout process (no payment info will be asked for), and the download link will be emailed to you immediately following checkout. If you don’t see it in your inbox, check your junk folder. You can also access the pattern by logging into your account under the “shop” tab after completing the checkout process.
Print pattern pages at 100% (no scaling) and tape pages together, matching borders and diamond. Cut out pieces as directed on pattern pages. Note: For main rectangle piece, cut only 1 on fold, not 2 as was noted in the early release of the pattern (pattern piece has been corrected for current downloads).
*All seam allowances are 1/4″ unless otherwise noted.”
Ready for some fun learning how to make scrunchies? Right sides together (RST), fold scrunchie piece in half, matching long raw edges. Stitch along raw edges, forming tube.
Use safety pin to turn tube right side out.
Use safety pin to thread 8″ length of elastic through tube. Overlap elastic ends 1/2″ and stitch together to secure.
Turn one scrunchie end 1/2″ inward, toward wrong side. Insert other scrunchie end and pin neatly in place.
Stitch close to folded edge to secure scrunchie ends together. If a basic scrunchie is all you’re after, you’re done! But be sure to give the DIY knot scrunchie a try – I promise you’ll be hooked once you wear one!
It’s time to put the “knot” in our DIY knotted scrunchies! RST, pin and stitch knot pieces together around outer edges, leaving 2″ opening along one middle edge (for turning). Trim each corner close to stitching and trim seam allowance to 1/8″ (do not trim seam allowance at opening).
Turn knot piece right side out through opening. Press flat, allowing opening edges to fold to wrong side. Stitch close to opening along folded edges to close.
Wrap knot piece around scrunchie, positioning knot to hide stitches on scrunchie.
Great job, you’ve finished your DIY knot scrunchies! Now that you’ve learned how to make scrunchies, go grab your favorite fabric scraps and make a handful more! For more fun DIY gift ideas, check out our tutorials gallery!
Hi, I think there’s a typo on your elastic band section pattern. It says “cut 2 on fold”. I believe we should only cut 1 piece instead.
Hi Jacquelene! Oh you are so right! Thanks so much for noticing, I’ll get that updated!
I have requested the Scrunchie pattern, but haven’t received it. [email protected].
Hi Jean! If you didn’t see it in your inbox, be sure to check your junk folder. You can also access the pattern by logging into your account under the “shop” tab of our site.
Beautiful beginners project!!! thank you!!!
You are so welcome!
Does this spot have a better place then all these pop up ads? I cant seem to get the free pattered and there is so many Ads and don’t trust it.
Hi Tara, I’m not 100% clear on what your asking, so feel free to clarify (I’m happy to help!), but to get the free pattern you’ll need to go through our checkout process (link is under the supplies section) – no payment info will be asked for. Our ads are what allow us to offer free patterns, and are managed by a trustworthy provider, so no worries about security! Let me know if I can help further!
Hello,
I ordered the knot scrunchie pattern earlier today. I assumed I would receive it within the hour via email, but I did not. It is not in my junk mail. How long before I receive it?
Thank you,
Katharyn
Hi Katharyn, the link is automatically sent immediately following checkout, but if you don’t see it in your inbox or junk folder, it might have been blocked by your email provider (or you might have misspelled the address when checking out). You can find the download link in your account under the “shop” tab of our site for easy access anytime!
Love, love, love your tutorials – fun, easy to use and just great for the little scraps that would otherwise be thrown away. Thank you.
I can’t find the pattern to download
Check under the supplies section for instructions :).
how do you get the free pattern?
Hi Amelia! Click the link under the supplies section and follow the checkout process (no payment info will be asked for). The pattern will then be emailed to you automatically :).
where is the supplies section?
It’s just before the instructions start, a little ways down from the top of the post.
I downloaded my pattern, but it’s showing up in two separate pages… as opposed to fitting in one. I’ve tried changing it to landscape but it’s the same.
Hi Cindy, the pattern is designed to print over two pages, which are then taped together before cutting the pieces out. I hope that helps!
Thanks for the tutorial / pictures. Very clear and helpful. Much appreciated.
So great to hear Janice! You’re welcome!
So cute! Do you ever sew the knot to the scrunchie so it doesn’t loosen and fall off?
I don’t because my girls love to take the bows on and off, but I’ve never had a bow get loose so it hasn’t been a worry. You could sew it on if you’d like though!
I would love a pattern please.
Thankyou
You can find the link to the free pattern listing under the supplies section :).
Hi! i LOVE this tutorial. where do you get your fabric from?
Thanks so much! I think I link some of the fabrics in the blog post, but I love to get my fabrics from JoAnn, Riley Blake, and Art Gallery to name a few!
Hi i love this tutorial
Where is the supplies section.
It’s part ways down the post, close to where the video is posted.
Vorrei il tutorial e pattern e dei vestiti da bambina. Grazie
Thankyou for the tutorial so clear and easy to follow 😊 x
I WOULD LIKE TO DOWNLOAD THE INFANT PEASANT DRESS PATTERN BUT CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW.
To get any of our free patterns, you’ll need to first click the link under the supplies section of the blog post, and then complete the checkout process. Once that’s completed, you’ll receive an email with the pattern download link. You can also access your pattern by logging into your account (created during checkout) under the “shop” tab of our site.
As a note, this is different than entering your email address on our right sidebar – that subscribes you to our newsletter which we’re happy to have you join in on, but is not how you access any of our free patterns 🙂.
Did you sew the elastic to the fabric at the end?
You’ll sew through the elastic when stitching the open fabric ends together.
Thank you for the great patterns, I feel like a pig by downloading 7 of them. I really loved them and plan to start on one today. My only regret is I couldn’t find a printable version for instructions. Thanks so much.
Love the pattern. When sewing across to finish it, do you push the elastic to the sewn edge or put it kind of in between? Hopefully that makes sense
Hi! I normally try to keep the elastic in the middle as it makes it easier to sew over. Hope that helps!