How to Sew a Children's Headband - The Easiest Guide for Beginners

Helena Lachowiczová
2026-01-14T11:01:53+01:00

Want to sew your first baby headband? It's the quickest project ever!

If you're a complete beginner at sewing and want to make something beautiful and practical, a baby headband is the perfect choice. It's the absolute easiest project you can try – you'll be done in 15-30 minutes!

Why start with a headband?

Quickest project - done in 15-30 minutes

Only 1 pattern piece - a simple rectangle

Just one seam - it couldn't be simpler

Minimal material - great for fabric scraps

No fastenings - just tie it on the head

Universal - for babies, children, and adults

Beautiful gift - personal and quick

What you'll need:

Material:

Knit fabric - cotton knit, rib knit (20-30 cm)

Alternatively: muslin (for summer), sweatshirt fabric (for winter)

Tools:

Sewing machine (or you can sew by hand!)

Fabric scissors

Pins or clips

Measuring tape or ruler

Tailor's chalk or disappearing fabric marker

Pattern:

You don't need a complicated pattern for a headband – it's a simple rectangle! But if you want to ensure the correct dimensions for different sizes, I recommend the Megg PDF pattern with photo instructions, which includes all sizes from babies to adults.

What dimensions to use?

The headband is a simple rectangle. Here are the basic dimensions:

Babies (0-12 months): 40 cm x 12 cm

Toddlers (1-3 years): 45 cm x 13 cm

Preschoolers (3-6 years): 50 cm x 14 cm

School-aged children (6-12 years): 55 cm x 15 cm

Adults: 60 cm x 16 cm

Tip: These dimensions already include a 1 cm seam allowance!

How to sew a headband step-by-step

Step 1: Fabric preparation

Iron the fabric so it is flat. Cut out the pattern and cut along the line representing your chosen size. If you don't have a pattern, you can draw this shape on paper and cut it out.

Step 2: Cutting

Cut out two pieces in total and place them right sides together. The right side is always the prettier side or the one with the print.

Step 3: Sewing

First, sew the end of the headband with a 1 cm seam allowance. If you have an overlocker, great! If not, use an elastic three-step stitch or an overlock stitch. You can also sew by hand.

Important: leave at least a 3 cm opening on the long side of the headband for turning.

Step 4: Turning

Turn the headband right side out. You can use a safety pin – attach it to one end and pull it through the entire headband.

Step 5: Finishing

Iron the headband, pull both ends into points, and sew the opening closed.

Step 6: Done!

The headband is finished! Just tie it on your head in a beautiful bow.

Total time: 15-30 minutes!

Tips for a perfect headband

Choose a stretchy fabric - knit or rib knit are ideal

Iron before sewing - the fabric will be flat

Test the stitch - it must be elastic for the headband to stretch

Use fabric scraps - a great way to use small pieces

Make multiple pieces - once you have the dimensions, sew several at once

Combine colors - you can use two different fabrics

What fabrics to use?

Best choices:

Cotton knit - soft, comfortable, stretchy

Rib knit - holds shape, stretchy

Muslin - light, ideal for summer

Sweatshirt fabric - thicker, suitable for winter

Jersey - classic knit, great for headbands

Avoid:

Woven fabrics - not stretchy

Very thin materials - will be transparent

Too thick fabrics - difficult to tie

Common beginner mistakes

1. Non-elastic stitch
A regular straight stitch will break when stretched. Always use an elastic stitch or an overlock.

2. Headband too narrow
If the headband is too narrow, it won't stay on well. At least 12 cm wide for babies.

3. Headband turned incorrectly
Be patient when turning – use a safety pin as a helper.

4. Unsewn opening for turning
Don't forget to sew the opening closed

Headband variations

Once you've mastered the basic headband, you can try:

Reversible headband - sew two layers from different fabrics

Headband with elastic - add elastic instead of tying

Headband with appliqué - sew on a flower or other embellishment

Embroidered headband - embroider a name or pattern

How much fabric do you need?

You need very little for one headband:

Babies: 20-25 cm of fabric

Children: 25-30 cm of fabric

Adults: 30-35 cm of fabric

With a fabric width of 150 cm, you can make 3-5 headbands from one meter!

Headband as a gift

A baby headband is a perfect gift for:

Newborns - instead of a hat in summer

Birthdays - a personal and beautiful gift

Christmas - a quick handmade gift

Friends - for moms and little girls

Baby shower - a sweet accessory

Want to learn to sew professionally?

If you enjoy sewing and want to learn more, I recommend our online course "How to Sew on an Overlocker" or "Sewing for Baby". You'll learn all the basics and sew with confidence!

Conclusion: Sew your first headband today!

Sewing a baby headband is the quickest and easiest project to start with. In 20 minutes, you can have a beautiful headband for your child or as a gift. Anyone can do this!

Ready to start? Download our Megg baby headband pattern with photo instructions and sew your first headband today. Thousands of beginners have done it – you can too! 💪

Have questions? Write to us in the comments or join our FB group!