A few days ago Dorothy L. asked about showing how the doll headbands were made. I decided I could make a tutorial and show another one being made and the steps of how I do it… You can follow along and make one yourself if you like!
I DECIDED TO INCLUDE THIS HEADBAND WITH THE 8 PIECE OUTFIT ON EBAY IF THE WINNER IS A READER OF MY BLOG!! :o)
The one I’m showing is for the Ruby Red Fashion Friends, but you could adapt it to any doll once you know how they are made. You’ll need a piece of fabric at least 12″ long and about 1 1/2″ wide… or you could use a ribbon if you like…
Then you’ll need to cut out a paper pattern like the one I’ve shown on this ruler…
Pin that paper “bow” to 2 layers of fabric… (right sides together)
Stitch around the edges of the paper…all the way around and backstitch your ends.
It should look like this…
Trim around the stitching about 1/8″ from the edges… and cut a slit in ONE layer of the fabric… about 1 1/2″ long.
Turn the bow by pulling the right side to the outside… I use a pair of hemostats…
Take your long 12″ piece of fabric, fold it in half and stitch 3/8″ from the folded edge…
Trim that piece so it’s about 1/8″ from the edge…
Now you’ll need to turn this skinny piece… I use a Loop Turner by Dritz… It has a hook on one end that you hook onto the end of your fabric… then you slowly and steadily pull the fabic through…
Now you should have 2 pieces that look like this…
I use a small crochet hook to push out the ends of my bow and then press the pieces flat… keeping your long band straight…
You’ll need a magnetic clasp (found at most craft/jewelry places) and some elastic cording… this is what I used…
Make sure the holes on your clasp fit the elastic cording… and tie them on making a knot about 1/2″ from the clasp.
Slip your elastic cording over the end of your fabric strip…
You can do this next part by hand or on the machine… place a straight pin 1″ from the end of your band…and line up your magnetic clasp with it. I used the machine and stitched the elastic in place like my picture shows…
Then fold that one inch part down over the area you just stitched and stitch it in place…then trim off the extra elastic sticking out.
Repeat that same step for the other end of the headband…
Take the headband to your dolls head and try it on her…
If it’s the right size, put the clasp as the back of the dolls neck and place a straight pin on the left side of her headband… this is where the bow will be tied… (it doesn’t have to be on the side, but I usually make them that way)
Now take that headband piece and the bow piece and lay them out like this… Make sure you have the right side of the headband facing UP and the slit in the bow UP as well.
Now, don’t get frustrated at this, but you’ll have to tie a bow… just take the ends and pull them up and loop one through the other… it’s not hard, but it’s a bit cumbersome the first time you try this… Pull the knot hard when you get the ends even…
I really don’t think the bow is going anywhere, but I generally put a few stitches in the back to hold it in place, just the same.
Now you can try it on your doll… I generally divide a section of the hair on the sides, to make the headband “disappear” on the dolls head…
It was great for Violette, who has a massive amount of hair, but Freida has less hair and it was a bit loose on her…
If this happens to you, like it did me, you can take a little tuck in the band and make a fold and stitch it by hand… it will never be seen.
And there you have it… your headband is done.
I hope that was clear… any questions, just ask!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for the tutorial on making a headband, Jeanne!! Your descriptions and pictures make it all very clear to me. I especially like the use of the magnetic clasp–so much easier to get it on and off without too much fuss and muss. (Anyone can tell you, I am Not good with hair! I always say God knew what He was doing when he gave me a boy!! 😄 All we had to do was take him to the barber shop [his other grandpa] now and then to get his hair cut. In the summer, a buzz cut–it doesn’t get any easier than that!! 😂)
I see that darling ensemble has one bid already!! Yippee!
Hope everyone had a good 4th. Ours was quiet; I didn’t even try to go to the church picnic, which Ron appreciated. It was being held a little too far from home, had there been an emergency.
Dear Jeanne, that was fun to “watch” (said the non-sewer). It makes so much sense when you explain it. I would never had been able to figure out how to do that myself.
How are we halfway through the first week in July? Is the Summer moving in warp speed (or whatever they said in Star Trek – laugh)?
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Your instructions and photos make it look so simple. The slit for turning is what I think will make the difference for me. Can’t wait to try it out. I really love the something extra these headbands add. Thank you for being willing to share your know how;)
What a wonderful tutorial. I learned so much. I’ve made quite a few hair ties, but Jeanne’s, tips are great. First, I would never have thought of using jewelry cord for the stretch. And seeing exactly how those magnetic fasteners look was great. Sure would eliminate my snapaphobia. 🙂 That is also a clever idea to just pin on the pattern to the fabric, stitch around it, trim and it is done. Turning the fabric through the center slit is genius. Sure saves stitching a side opening closed. Loved seeing all of these great ideas. I think anyone, even a non sewer could make one of these using a needle and thread. Might be a fun make it a project for a club as well, using ribbon and a premade bow. Would only take a few hand stitches to secure the magnetic catches turned under the ribbon. 🙂 Thanks so much Jeanne for showing us how to make these bows and Dorothy L. too.
Absolutely can’t believe that the 4th is over and back to school is on fast track. Stores already have out the latest. Hope Barbara is getting her pools together as I really would like to see one. 🙂
Your tutorial was right on😉 clever way for turning and getting the points to look so professional. Congrats on bids already!
Thank you for the tutorial, Jeanne. Everything is very clear.
A quiet 4th here as well. It was beastly hot so we skipped the usual morning parade as well as the evening concert in the Glen and fireworks. Instead watching “A Capitol Fourth”, treats, and kitty cuddles were on the agenda.
I went to the store this morning and got two of the patriotic mylar balloons Kroger had out front attached to carts with a “FREE” sign. I have them out on the front porch where they can look festive. They kitties are intrigued.
I think this will be a very fun project Jeanne! I just need to get some of those magnetic closures and I will be all set to go! Thanks for this fun and easy to do craft!