Do you have a baby or are you going to give birth in the near future? Maybe a close friend of yours has just given birth? For those of you who want to share happiness, you can make a fashionable and cute headband for the baby to start his journey to become a successful person in fashion! This article will guide you on how to make beautiful headbands that babies and toddlers can wear, complete with instructions for those of you who want to make them according to your own needs and style.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Measurement and Preparation
Step 1. Measure the circumference of the head
Before you can start making the headband, you need to know its size first. You can measure the baby's head directly or use general measurements based on age and weight. If you measure directly, you can measure the circumference of the head, roughly where you put the headband. Usually slightly above the ear.
- How to measure. Since babies are very gentle creatures and cannot stay still, this measurement can be quite challenging. Better to use a cloth measuring tape, if you have one. Do not use a metal tape measure because it is not the right size and the baby could be injured. If you don't have a cloth measuring tape, measure the head with a fine string and compare this string to another measuring device.
- If the baby is elsewhere or has not yet been born, you should use the general size. You can get it through the internet. Look for these standard sizes on websites or message pages on how to sew and make crafts. You can also find a child who is the same size and then you measure the head.
Step 2. Determine the width of the headband
You must determine the proper width of the headband. The width of the headband is very dependent on the baby who will wear this headband, because a headband that is too wide will feel uncomfortable on the head and easily come off. Newborns will not be able to wear headbands that are wider than 1.5 cm. Babies aged six months to one year may already be able to wear a headband that is 2.5 cm wide. Toddlers seem to be suitable to wear headbands with a width of 5 cm.
You need to try first before deciding. You can try it by cutting out unused material and imagining the most suitable width of the headband or by buying your baby's first headband first so you can figure out the most appropriate size
Step 3. Selecting materials
The material for the headband really depends on the type of headband you want to make. Since a baby's skin is still very soft and can easily hurt, fabrics that are stretchy and soft are best. Stretchy T-shirts, soft velvet, or soft lace work best for baby headbands. These materials will later become headbands. There are many options available to decorate it, and it should not touch the head of the baby or child wearing it.
Step 4. Cut the material
Once you've selected the material for your headband, you'll need to cut it. The shirt material must be folded in half to form a tube. If you choose to use a material like stretchy lace, you don't need to use two layers.
- For T-shirts, velvet and other wide materials, you'll need to cut out a rectangular shape, so that it forms a tube. First, cut it lengthwise (according to the previously measured head circumference) then add 1 - 1.5 cm for seams at both ends. Cut with a width of twice the size of the headband you specify, also give seam 1 - 1.5 cm on each side. All seams must be on each side of the material for this headband.
- Use the right tools. You need to use special scissors for sewing because blunt scissors can make the corners of the fabric look untidy and unattractive.
Step 5. Cut the elastic
Cut the elastic to a length equal to the circumference of the baby's head. Do not reduce the length of this rubber so that later it can fit on the baby's head, because the length of this rubber will decrease for seams, and you certainly want this rubber to be able to extend as needed. Leaving the band not too tight will make the headband last longer, but make sure it's not too tight.
Method 2 of 3: Sewing Headbands
Step 1. Sew to form a tube
You can start by sewing the fabric to form a tube. This tube will be the main part of the headband which will wrap around the head with decoration. Try to make this headband look as neat as possible, but because this headband uses a flexible material, the stitches that are not neat will close by themselves.
- Fold the fabric into a rectangle. If you choose to use elastic lace, you don't need to do this step. If you are using another material, fold it lengthwise so that the inside of the fabric is outside.
- Secure the sides of the fabric using straight pins, so the corners on the long side meet each other. Place the pin in a position perpendicular to the long side of the fabric. This will keep the sewing machine needle from grinding against the pin if you forget to remove it. It's also a safe way to sew through pins.
- Sew the long side of the material, leaving a distance of 1 - 1.5 cm from the edge for the seam and leaving the ends open. Use sticks and machine needles that match the material you choose. Flexible fabrics require a ballpoint pen and use a wide or tapered stick. For cotton, use a regular needle with a straight stick. Another way is to sew by hand but it will take longer.
- Flip the cloth. You can do this by hand but it will be easier if you use a cloth turning tool. The most common way is to attach a pin that can be locked. Attach this pin to the end of the tube with the pinhead pointed into the tube. Start pulling the fabric a little at a time while pushing the pinhead along the fabric tube. This method is quite easy but may take longer. When you've finished flipping this stitch, you'll need to iron it so that the tube is flat, and the shape of the headband is more visible. You may not be used to ironing anymore, because it's more comfortable to wear clothes that don't wrinkle easily.
Step 2. Install the elastic
This rubber will hold gently to keep the headband wrapped around your baby's head, without the need to clamp or tie. Your baby can wear the headband longer because the size can follow his growth. Provide the appropriate size elastic band because a headband that is too tight is not good for your baby.
- Insert the elastic along the fabric tube. The easiest way is to attach a safety pin with a lock on the end of the elastic and use this pin to help you. Make sure to keep the rubber flat after you pull it out of the fabric tube.
- Sew by joining the two ends of the elastic by hand or a sewing machine. We recommend using a zip stick or cross stitch to sew this rubber. Make sure the rubber is flat and not twisted in the tube.
- Close the cloth tube. You can use a machine to sew these fabric tubes, but the results will be better if you sew them by hand. Fold the ends of the fabric inward as far as possible. Sew carefully using a small loop stick to hold the two ends of the fabric tube together. If you don't want to sew it by hand, machine the end of the fabric tube by stacking the ends and sewing straight down. This will make the stitches more visible than hand stitching. Once the two ends of the fabric tube are connected, you're done with your headband!
Method 3 of 3: Decorating Headbands
Step 1. Create the Ribbon Knot
Once the headband is ready, you need to complete the look by embellishing it. A ribbon will make a little girl look good, and it's easy to make. You can start decorating headbands for your baby this way.
- You will need a piece of ribbon to make a ribbon knot. Use cloth tape as plastic tape is not suitable for this purpose. Choose a ribbon color that matches the color of the headband you just made and adjust it to your taste.
- There are several kinds of ribbon knots. You can make a simple one, like the one used to tie shoelaces, or you can make a more elaborate one, like the one you buy to decorate gifts. To make a simple ribbon knot, tie a knot as usual. Expand the ribbon by 3-4 cm and wrap the center of this knot to hide the knot. Glue or sew this ribbon to the headband.
- For a more elaborate bow knot, provide a roll of ribbon. Holding the ends down, make a roll of ribbon about 5 cm long and hold it at the bottom. Turn it over and repeat the same way for the other side until the ribbon you created looks full. Sew with a small stick so it doesn't come off and then close the center in the same way. Glue or sew this ribbon to the headband.
Step 2. Make the flowers
You can decorate the headband with flowers. This method will make a little girl look beautiful and look like an angel. You can attach a flower or glue several flowers together. You can choose flowers that are made by hand for a more natural look and glue them to a headband or you can make your own from fabric.
- Provide a ribbon-shaped cloth with a length of 30 cm and a width of 2.5 cm. Use a fabric that is a contrasting color but matches the headband you are sewing. Any type of fabric can be used, including cotton.
- Glue this cloth along the wire wrapped in a fine craft material (can be used for cigar pipe cleaner), you don't have to put it too neatly to make it look wrinkled.
- Roll this wire into a rose shape. If you only want to use a flower, you can simply glue it to your headband. Unless you want to use multiple flowers, make an arrangement by gluing them to flannel. Cut the flannel so that it is not visible from the top of the flower, then glue the flannel to the headband.
Step 3. Using sequins
To make the headband look more luxurious, you can use sequins. Sequins are easy to use and require no other decoration. There are a variety of colors and sizes of sequins that can be attached to your headband in a variety of patterns. You can use different sizes of sequins in the same color for a different look.
The sequins can be sewn individually by tying them into the hole in the center of the sequins or they can be glued directly to the headband. Use the method that is easiest for you according to your skills and the one with the best results in your opinion. You can practice first how to attach sequins using unused cloth
Step 4. Install decorations from various shapes of objects
You can also attach various shapes of objects as decoration on the headband. You can use your own creations or buy them at a craft store. This method can exude the charm of your little princess's personality. Choose the things that are suitable for him. Stars, hearts, animals, or food decorations that, if attached, will make the headband look more beautiful.
- You can make this decorative shape yourself using flannel. Draw the shape you want and then cut it out using one or more flannel sheets and glue it to the headband, or you can use this flannel to make a three-dimensional embellishment to glue or sew on the headband. Choose the method that suits your skills and desires.
- You can also use some new buttons and then decorate the headband in a way like making a book patch to beautify your headband. Glue or sew these buttons as needed.
Warning
- Make sure that the headband doesn't come off and closes your baby's airway.
- Babies usually like to put anything in their mouth. Make sure the small decorations that you attach to the headband don't come off easily.
- If the headband is too tight, don't wear it.
- Free the baby's head from headbands, headbands, clips and other hair ornaments after wearing them for about an hour.
