A scrunchie is a fabric tube gathered around an elastic loop. Its shape is simple, but the choice of fabric, the elastic length, and the final closure determine whether it feels comfortable and looks tidy. This tutorial gives an original cutting example, explains how to change the proportions, and shows a practical sewing sequence that works on a small piece of fabric before you make a matching set. Plan carefully.
Quick answer
Cut a fabric rectangle, sew its long edges into a tube, turn it right side out, and thread elastic through it. Fit and securely join the elastic, then close the fabric opening. Keep the elastic free inside the tube so it can stretch. Make one sample before cutting several scrunchies, because fabric thickness and elastic recovery change the finished feel.
Understand the two measurements
The fabric rectangle controls the visible fullness and width. The elastic controls the opening and how the scrunchie stretches around hair. These measurements are related, but they do different jobs. Making the fabric longer creates more gathers; it does not automatically make the elastic grip tighter. Shortening the elastic can make the opening smaller without improving the fabric’s appearance.
For a practice example, cut one woven-fabric rectangle 20 inches long and 4 inches wide. With a quarter-inch seam along the long edges, the flattened tube will be approximately one and three-quarter inches wide before gathering. The exact finished appearance changes with fabric thickness, pressing, and the method used to close the ends. Treat this as a starting sample, not a universal size.
Choose an initial elastic length that you can test comfortably for the intended hairstyle. Allow extra length for an overlap join. Do not fix a universal length from an online recipe without trying the actual elastic: two elastics of the same width can stretch and recover differently. If making a gift, avoid claiming that one size will suit every hair thickness or wearing preference.
Choose fabric for the result you want
Lightweight or medium-weight woven cotton is useful for learning because it usually presses clearly and is easier to control than a slippery surface. A soft draping fabric can produce a different look, but may need more careful cutting and handling. Very thick fabric creates bulky joins, while a fabric that frays heavily requires enough seam allowance and secure stitching.
Choose a fabric that you can wash in a suitable way for a hair accessory. Prewash if the material is likely to shrink or release color, following its care instructions. A small scrap should be long enough for the full rectangle without an accidental weak join. Check for holes, damaged fibers, or unevenly faded areas before using a remnant.
If the fabric has a directional print, consider how it will look when gathered. A long motif may disappear into folds. A strong stripe can make an uneven seam more visible. Neither is a reason to avoid the material, but a small sample lets you decide whether the design works before sewing several accessories from the same fabric.
| Material choice | Useful for | Preparation to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Stable woven cotton | A first practice scrunchie | Press and check shrinkage |
| Soft lightweight woven fabric | Smaller, softer gathers | Handle cut edges gently |
| Slippery fabric | A smoother surface appearance | Baste and test needle suitability |
| Thick decorative fabric | A fuller accessory | Check turning and join bulk |
Gather a small, useful tool kit
You need the fabric, suitable elastic, matching sewing thread, a compatible needle, scissors or a rotary cutter, a ruler, and pins or clips. A safety pin or appropriate elastic-threading tool helps feed the elastic through the tube. A hand-sewing needle is useful for closing a small opening discreetly. An iron can help prepare stable folds when the fabric permits pressing.
A domestic sewing machine that forms a suitable straight stitch can handle many ordinary woven-fabric scrunchies. You do not need a specialist scrunchie machine for this basic method. Check the manual for your needle and thread combination. The rectangle may be small, but the same threading and needle checks still matter when the fabric is thin or slippery.
Set up the work so loose elastic and the turning tool do not become tangled with the pedal or garment area. Keep the cut piece flat and mark the seam allowance if that helps you sew accurately. A consistent narrow seam is easier to turn and close than one that wanders between very small and very large allowances.
Sew the fabric tube
Fold the rectangle lengthwise with the right sides facing each other. Align the long raw edges. Clip or pin them without stretching one edge longer than the other. Mark a quarter-inch seam allowance for the practice version. Begin with a small scrap of the same fabric if the feed dogs tend to catch the edge at the start.
Sew along the long edge, securing the ends appropriately. Leave the short ends open so you can turn the tube. For a first version, use a steady pace and keep the seam allowance even. Do not pull the material behind the foot to help it feed. If the tube twists, stop and flatten the layers before you sew farther.
Check the seam before turning. A missed layer or an extremely narrow section can split when the scrunchie is stretched. Fix any weak section now, when the seam is easy to reach. If you finish or trim the allowance, keep enough material to protect the seam. Bulky or sharply uneven trimming can show through a lightweight fabric.
Turn the tube without damaging it
Use a suitable tube-turning tool or a safety pin attached securely to one end of the fabric. Feed the end gradually through the tube instead of pulling hard at one point. Work a short distance, move the gathered material along, and continue. A narrow tube in thick fabric may simply be too tight to turn conveniently; increasing the fabric width is often easier than forcing it.
Once the right side is out, smooth the seam and check that the tube is not twisted. You may position the seam on one flattened edge or leave it less visible inside the gathers. Press gently if suitable for the fabric, but do not flatten a textured fabric merely to make it look like cotton. The goal is a clean tube with a sound seam.
Turn a small amount of one short end inward to create a finished closing edge. Baste that fold if the fabric refuses to stay in place. Preparing it now can make the final closure easier after the elastic is inside. Keep the other end accessible rather than trying to join the fabric while the elastic is still loose on the table.
Fit and join the elastic
Attach the threading tool securely to the elastic and secure the opposite end so it cannot disappear into the tube. Feed the tool through while distributing the fabric gathers. Keep the elastic flat as you work. A twist can create a stiff spot and make the finished loop behave unevenly, even if the outside fabric initially looks normal.
Temporarily overlap the ends and test the intended fit before making the join permanent. Consider how many wraps the scrunchie will need for the chosen hairstyle and whether it can stretch without excessive pulling. Elastic should return after stretching. If the sample remains stretched out, changing the fabric rectangle will not correct poor elastic recovery.
Join the elastic using a method suited to that elastic and your machine. For a flat overlap, secure the ends with enough stitching to hold them without repeatedly perforating a tiny weak line. Test the joined loop by stretching it gently before enclosing it. Trim only after the join is secure and you are satisfied with the fit.
Close the fabric neatly
Slide the unfinished fabric end into the prepared folded end, keeping the seam lines aligned. Check that the elastic is clear of the closing area. A narrow machine-stitched closure is quick but leaves a visible line; a careful hand closure can be less obvious. Either can be a good choice if the fabric edges are enclosed and the join is secure.
When closing by machine, distribute the fabric away from the elastic join so the whole area is not excessively bulky. Stitch through the intended fabric layers without accidentally catching the elastic. When closing by hand, take small stitches through the folded fabric edges and secure the thread ends inside. Inspect for a gap that could open during wear.
Rotate the gathers around the elastic to even them out. The join does not have to become completely invisible to be functional, but it should not form a scratchy or unusually stiff patch. Compare the finished scrunchie with the sample measurements you recorded. Note what you would change before cutting the next rectangle.
Change the size deliberately
For a narrower scrunchie, reduce the rectangle’s width while retaining enough space to turn the tube and insert the elastic. For a fuller one, increase the fabric length or width and test how the heavier gathers behave. Very wide fabric around a small elastic loop may look dramatic but feel bulky. Change one measurement at a time so you can identify what improved the result.
For a simple comparison exercise, keep the same elastic and make two fabric tubes with different lengths. Compare fullness and how evenly the gathers distribute. Then keep the preferred fabric rectangle and compare elastic lengths. This separates appearance from grip and creates a more useful personal pattern than repeatedly changing both measurements without keeping notes.
If adding a decorative bow, make it a separate piece that attaches securely and does not interfere with stretching. Avoid loose decorations or detachable pieces where they could create a hazard for a young child. A plain fabric scrunchie is a sensible first version because it lets you judge the basic construction without extra bulk or complicated joins.
Solve common scrunchie problems
| Problem | Likely area to inspect | Practical correction |
|---|---|---|
| Tube will not turn | Width and fabric thickness | Start again with a wider practice rectangle |
| Elastic disappears inside | Unsecured trailing end | Secure the end before threading |
| Scrunchie feels twisted | Elastic inside the tube | Reopen and flatten the elastic |
| Closing seam splits | Seam allowance or caught fabric | Repair with a secure enclosed join |
| Gathers bunch in one place | Fabric or elastic join bulk | Redistribute and reduce unnecessary layers |
Do not solve a weak seam by repeatedly sewing over the same tiny damaged spot. Open enough of the area to inspect sound material, then repair it securely or replace the piece. If the elastic has deteriorated, replacing only the outer fabric does not restore its stretch. Keep spare matching elastic if you plan to repair a favorite scrunchie later.
FAQ
What size rectangle should I cut first?
The original practice example here uses 20 by 4 inches of woven fabric and a quarter-inch long seam. It is a starting point for testing fullness and width. Adjust it after trying the actual elastic, fabric, and hairstyle rather than assuming the same measurements suit everyone.
Can I sew a scrunchie entirely by hand?
Yes, provided the seams and elastic join are secure enough for repeated stretching. Work with a stable fabric, keep stitches even, and inspect the long seam before turning. A hand-sewn version still benefits from the same fitting and elastic-recovery checks.
Why does the elastic feel loose after a few uses?
Check whether the elastic itself recovers after stretching and whether its join is sound. The original loop may also be too long for the intended use. Fabric gathers can change appearance, but they cannot repair elastic that has lost its recovery.
Can I use a very small fabric scrap?
Only if it provides enough fabric for the tube and useful gathers. Piecing scraps can work, but each join adds bulk. For a first sample, a single rectangle is easier to sew and makes it simpler to diagnose turning or gathering problems.
How should I wash the finished scrunchie?
Follow the care needs of both the fabric and elastic. Remove it from use if the join opens or the elastic deteriorates. Test any color release before combining a strongly colored accessory with light fabrics or delicate items during washing.
Conclusion
Make one scrunchie, test it, and record the measurements before producing a set. An even tube, an untwisted elastic loop, and a secure closing seam matter more than decorative extras. Once those basics work, you can change fullness, width, and fabric with a clear idea of what each change will do.
Reference and further instructions
Use the exact machine manual, pattern instructions, and material care directions for your project. The techniques and original practice examples in this guide should be sampled with your own materials. Linked designers retain ownership of their patterns; download their current instructions from the original source.
