Simple Ribbon Headband Tutorial

It took me over a year, but I've finally put together a tutorial for the ribbon headbands! These are super simple and quick, and would be a great beginner sewing project. You can use any width of ribbon you'd like, depending on what kind of look you prefer.

I [obvoiusly] used Scandinavian ribbon. You can find a variety of Scandinavian-style ribbons on Etsy [TrimKo has quite a few options], or you can buy whatever type of ribbon you find cute at Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics.

You will need:

15 inches of ribbon (width of your choice)

15 inches corresponding width, backing ribbon (I used plain black/navy grosgrain)

5 inches of 1/4" thick black elastic

Scissors

Invisible thread (not pictured)

Note: These headbands are made "one size fits most". Shorten your elastic length if you are making a headband for a very small child.

To start, place the wrongsides of your main ribbon and backing ribbon together.

Fold under the end pieces of the ribbon 1/2", and tuck 1/2" of your elastic between the two ribbons. Secure with pins and sew back and forth over the elastic, using your invisible thread. You will want to make sure you do this around 4 times to ensure your elastic won't fall out.

Once your elastic is secured on one end, sew along the outside edge of both sides, sewing together the two pieces of ribbon. Leave a 1-inch gap at the end so you can fold under the ends. Repeat the folding and elastic sewing on the other end. Make sure your elastic isn't twisted before you sew the other end! I may or may not of sewed a couple with twisted elastic...oops! 

That's it - now you can wear your new headband or give it as a fun gift!

And if you aren't feeling very crafty, you can always purchase one from my Etsy shop here!

Scandinavian Christmas: Day 2

Today I am thrilled to introduce you all to Rachel, who blogs over at the lovely blog Nest Full of Eggs!  Rachel is one of the best seamstresses out in the blogosphere, in my opinion. She whips up some seriously cute children's clothing and has contributed to numerous sewing books and magazines [seriously, she is crazy talented]. You can also find her on Flikr and Ravelry. Rachel has participated in the Scandinavian Christmas series every single year! I am so thankful she is back again this year to share this adorable children's tomte outfit!

 Hello Pickled Herring readers! I'm Rachel and I blog at nest full of eggs. I'm American, but half of my ancestry is Swedish. I have to admit Christmas brings out the Scandinavian in me. I'm so happy to be joining the Scandinavian Christmas series again this year.

I'm excited to share my kid tomte outfit with you. Are you familiar with what a tomte is? Tomte is the Swedish Christmas elf, an elf to delight children.

To create this outfit I sewed a red fleece tunic and thick red and white striped cotton jersey leggings using the Oliver + S Playtime Tunic + Leggings sewing pattern.

 I also knitted, then wet felted a pair of red wool elf shoes using a free knitting pattern.

The final piece that I made was a tomte hat. It is a long red fleece stocking cap. I used the same red fleece that I used for the tunic. To make one, I cut out two tall triangles, 11 inches wide on the bottom, 31 inches tall. With right sides together I sewed with .5 inch seam allowances, cut the corner, trimmed the seams and turned it right side out. I tucked under 5/8 inch and sewed at 3/8 inch for hemming the bottom of the hat.

Thank you Kathryn for letting me take part in the series!

Merry Scandinavian Christmas!

PS Many thanks to my daughter for going out into the cold while it was snowing so I could take these modeled photos :)

Huge thanks again to Rachel, and tomorrow we will be hearing from the sweet Pam of Gingerbread Snowflakes!