Scrunchies

I wasn't sure it was necessary to create a post about scrunchies. I have been making the since the 1990s! But there has been an evolution on the preferred materials and width over the years. More recently I had made scrunchies out of stretch nylon mystic or stretch velvet. I had a note about the width (3.25") and the length (20") and I used a piece of elastic at 8" long.

I wanted pink, blue, and white scrunchies to wear to the upcoming Pride parade to represent the transgender flag. After hunting around, I found a fat quarter with the same colors I sought. This fat quarter is made out of thin cotton material and it didn't really occur to me that using the same dimensions I had used with the thicker material might come out differently.

The first fat quarter was cut into 5 strips each measuring 3.25" wide. This produced a very thin scrunchie. The second fat quarter was cut into three 4.5" strips and one 4" strip. After sewing together the 4" strip, I decided to make two of them for me to keep. The 4" width seemed about right to me. I did make two at 4.5" and they are more reminiscent of the wider scrunchies I had as a teen.

Here are the steps I used.

After cutting, sew a 1/4" seam the long way with right sides together leaving the beginning 1-1.5" and the end unsewn. This allows you to sew the ends together.

Start turning the tube, but stop when it is at the half way point. 

Now it's easy to line up the two ends and sew them together right sides together.

Afterwards, pull the right side out through the small opening.

The next step is to insert the elastic with a safety pin. I use a straight pin to hold the tail so it doesn't get lost.

Sew the ends together with a zigzag stitch.

Finally, sew the opening closed. I have hand sewed and machine sewed. Machine sewing is quickest and when it's done close to the edges, it blends right in.

The many different widths.