DIY Scrunchies And a No-Sew Option!

DIY Scrunchies- aka the new favorite summer activity.

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I had this one scrunchie when I was a little girl that I LOVED. It wasn’t a DIY Scrunchie (probably came from Claire’s right?!) But It was soft and silky and had the perfect comfy stretch to it. It’s on my wrist in many a childhood photo. I had scrunchies stashed in my bathroom drawers and in my many bags and backpacks. I’d put one in after swimming all day in the summer.

But as most things from the 90’s tended to do, scrunchies eventually were OUT along with butterfly clips and bell bottom jeans from Delia’s and roll on glitter I had to beg my parents to let me wear.

Needless to say I’ve been THRILLED that scrunchies have made a total comeback (hello Kaitlyn Bristowe and the Dew Edit!) so fab. But I have definitely wanted to make my own with the girls. Such a fun and easy beginner sewing project to do with kids who are still getting the hang of a machine and need lots of help. One straight line and you’re basically all done!

How to make some awesome DIY Scrunchies:

First, gather up (or buy) scrap fabric and cut some strips. I love love how stretchy flannel works for scrunchies – it’s not too fussy to sew and it’s so soft on the wrist. But quilters cotton works beautiful too as does velvet and stretch jersey. You basically can’t go wrong!

Materials:

Fabric cut into 4” x 26” rectangles. If you want a little less bulk try 3”, and if you want less length or to make your DIY scrunchies less bunchie try 24”. You can fudge these measurements to use up scraps!

Binding clips. These are so much easier and safer for kids than using pins!

Elastic. I used 1/2” but you can use elastic cord or 1/4” or whatever you have on hand! This will be cut to be about 8” long per scrunchie but use your own wrist as a guide for length- you’ll need it to wrap around your wrist comfortably with an inch or so of overlap.

Rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Directions:

Using your rotary cutter, ruler and mat, cut fabric into strips.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and clip with binding clips every 12” or so.

Stitch along the open side with a 1/4” seam allowance.

If you are in the market for a great kids sewing machine this Janome Travel sewing machine has been so perfect for us! I have only one complaint- that it doesn’t have a light but you can remedy that with a little stick on light in the back. It’s basic and perfect for kids. –

When you’re finished stitching the long side, turn your tube of fabric right side out. This process can be tricky for little hands esp if your fabric started out less than 4” width. Stretchy fabric is MUCH easier to turn. Use a chopstick or blunt knitting needle to help!

Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic. Slide it down into your tube do fabric so just the end is peaking up out of the tube. Clip the end to the fabric with a binding clip so you don’t loose it. Then shimmy or scrunch the fabric up onto the elastic until the safety pin comes out the other end.

Knot the two ends of elastic together (no need to sew!) and you’re almost there!

The last step is to secure the two ends of the fabric tube together. I like to fold under one end of the fabric tube and gently slide the other end of fabric into the tube, then whip stitch to secure. But you can also use fabric glue to secure it! Kids can do this part too- it doesn’t have to be perfect.

If you want a no sew option, use your fabric glue to “sew” the entire long side together! Then there is no sewing at all. Just make sure you wait the time Directed on the bottle before you turn your fabric right side out.