If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make a simple DIY headband, grab your macrame cord and follow this simple and easy tutorial to make a gorgeous boho-style hair accessory.
You can craft this cute headband in less than an hour, making it a perfect gift for a friend or an accessory for yourself if you fancy wearing a unique piece.
The best thing is it costs next to nothing to make, and as a crafter, you will probably have all the materials and tools you need just lying around!
Table of contents
Supply List For DIY Headband
How to Make a Macrame DIY Headband
Step One: Measure The Macrame Cord
First, you’ll need to measure three pieces of macrame cord. To do this, double the strand over to have a double thickness. This will make sure the final headband is nice and thick.
If you’d prefer a thinner headband, you can choose not to use a double strand at this step and stick with three single strands.
Measure from one ear to another, and add another 30cm to ensure you have enough cord to finish the braid and tie it off.
When you’ve cut the strands out, they should look like the photo above.
Step Two: Secure The Strands
Next up, you need to secure the strands. I cut and then unraveled a small amount of macrame cord, roughly 12cm, and tied it around the ends of the three double cords.
Ensure the knot is tight so the strands stay together when you braid them.
Step Three: Make a Braid
Next up, it’s time to put all those childhood years of braiding to the test!
If you’re not sure how to braid, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials out there to teach you the basics, but it really is very simple once you know how to do it.
How to braid:
- Lay the three stands side by side.
- Move the left strand over the top of the middle strand. This is now your middle strand.
- Move the right side strand over the top of the middle stand. This now becomes your middle strand.
- Go back to the left strand and move it into the middle.
- Continue to move the right strand over the middle one and then the left.
- Continue until the braid is at your desired length (ideally from ear lobe to ear lobe).
Step Four: Fasten The End of The Braid
Similarly to how you fasten the top of the strands before you started to braid, you’ll now need to fasten the end.
Cut a 12cm piece of macrame cord and unravel it so that you have just a single strand.
Use this to tie off the end of your headband braid securely so that it doesn’t come unraveled.
Step Five: Attach The Elastic
The final step to making your DIY headband, is to attach the elastic to the inside of the headband.
Lay the headband over your head to check it is the right size. Ideally you’ll want the two ends to sit at the bottom of your ears or just below.
To work out your elastic length, measure from one end of the braid to the other, along the bottom of your hairline.
Take another couple of cm’s off the measurement, you can adjust this depending how tight or loose you like your headbands to fit.
Alternatively, you can take your head circumference measurement and use this to work out how much elastic you need. Just take away the length of the braid you’ve already made and minus an extra couple of centimeters.
There are lots of different ways you can customize this headband, you could add flowers to make a sweet floral headband.
Use your glue gun to add a dot of hot glue to the ends of the headband, and then attach the piece of elastic … and there you have it! A unique, DIY headband to add a bit of cuteness to any outfit!
Finished DIY Headband
I really love how simple this great project was to make, and the best part is that it goes with pretty much any outfit.
I can wear it at home while I’m dressed down, or for a special event with a nice dress. Do you have someone in mind to make this adorable DIY headband for? It would make a lovely gift! Drop me a comment!
Don’t forget to check out my top tips for this project below and my answers to some frequently asked questions.
Top Tips For Your DIY Headband
- If you want to make your headband a different width, choose a different-sized macrame thread. This cord comes in diameters as small as 1mm and up to 5 or 6 mm thick. Using a thinner thread will create a more delicate-looking headband, whereas a thicker one will make a chunkier accessory.
- You can use other types of threads to make this headband if you want a different color. For example, DK, or Aran weighted yarn. Using multi-colored threads to make a headband of different colors would be especially cute as a gift for a young girl.
- See what thread types are available at your local dollar store if you want to make a bargain, easy headband!
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest way to make a simple headband is to braid macrame cord together and use elastic to attach the end of the headband.
An even simpler option if you’re looking for a craft to do with your little girl, is to use a cheap plastic headband, and decorate it with sequins, bits of felt, a piece of fabric, or anything else you have lying around!
There are lots of different ways to make homemade headbands. You can also use scraps of fabric to make a padded headband.
If you don’t want to make your own DIY headband you could use other hair accessories such as traditional bandana headbands, hair grips and bobbles, or stretch fabric to keep your hair out of your face.
If you want to make a fabric headband without getting the sewing machine out you could use an old t-shirt.
Cut a strip from the arm and fold the raw edges in on themselves. This automatically creates a stretchy fabric headband that can be worn straight away.
There are lots of different styles of headbands that you can achieve with an old t-shirt, you could make a big knot in the middle, or an entire knot bow headband with lots of knots across the entire headband.
Printable Project Instructions
I hope you enjoyed this headband tutorial as much as I loved making it. I’ve also created a handy printable if you want to do this DIY craft away from your computer.
This printable could also be useful if you’re following it with a group of students too!
How to Make a Macrame DIY Headband
Materials
- Macrame Cord
- Hot Glue Gun
- Glue Stick
- Scissors
- Elastic
Instructions
1. Measure The Macrame Cord
Measure three pieces of macrame cord. To do this, double the strand over to have a double thickness. Measure from one ear to another, and add another 30cm to ensure you have enough cord to finish the braid and tie it off.
2. Secure the Strands
Cut and unravel a small amount of macrame cord, roughly 12cm, and tie it around the ends of the three double cords. Ensure the knot is tight, as this keeps the strands together when you braid them.
3. Braid the Cord
Using the three strands, make a braid that is long enough to reach from one ear, over the top of your head, and down to the other ear.
4. Fasten the End of the Braid
Using the same technique you did in step two, fasten the end of the braid.
5. Attach Elastic
Attach elastic at either side of the braid to fit snugly around your head to finish your headband.
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