Ribbonique Headband Tutorial

I am embarrassed to admit that this is my first post since February. So thats about... 3 months? At least it wasn't 8 months, like someone I know...

Anyhoo, on to the good stuff!

I was making this cute headband, and I was suddenly inspired to create a tutorial for a headband of my own.
My aunt had given me a bunch of ribbon and lace for my sewing stash when she was cleaning out her home a few years back, and I haven't known what to do with it! While having my mind on headbands and then spotting that gorgeous ribbon & lace, it all clicked and I found an idea! I would make a headband out of ribbon and lace!


On to the tutorial:


Step 1: Collect your materials...



*Flat lace- you'll need enough of one color to wrap around your head like a headband, plus a bit extra for the flower, and about 1 foot of another flat lace (not ruffled) for the stripes.

*4 inches of 1/2 inch elastic.

*Ribbon- Does it have a name? It's the kind of silky- soft ribbon sometimes used to wrap presents. I think it comes in different widths- but I just used what I had at home, which was about 1 inch wide. This tutorial is for this width, but if you have a different width ribbon, make sure it ends up being about 1 1/2 inches wide.

*Buttons (optional)- not included in tutorial, but you can just add them at the end, to your liking.

*White fabric (or coordinating with your ribbon/lace) You will cut it to 9in. x 3in. Remember that this will most likely be under your hair, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

*Scissors, tape measure, sewing machine, thread of your choice.

*2 Large safety pins.

*Scotch Tape (or other kind of tape)

Step 2: Cutting the casing...
Cut your fabric to 9in x 3in.





Step 3: Fold the fabric over lengthwise (hot dog style),right sides together



Step 4: Sew the edge, using a 1/2 in seam allowance. When done, press the seams to either side.



Step 5: Turn the casing right side out, using your fingers or a crochet hook.


You may want to iron it so that it isn't as crumpled.

Step 6: Getting the elastic into the casing...

Attach a large safety pin to one side of the elastic. Using the safety pin, push/pull the elastic through the casing. Once the other end of the elastic is lined up with the end of the casing. Safety pin the edges. Pull the rest of the elastic to the end and pin it. (This is hard to explain! Sorry!) Maybe this picture of what it should look like at the end will help:



Step 7: Sewing the elastic to the casing: Remove the safety pins and sew.








Now, set the elastic/casing aside; it's time for the headband part!

Step 8: Cutting the ribbon...

Measure your head, where you want your headband to lay. The measurement should be in the 20- inch's. (Mine was 21-ish). Subtract 4 from it (because of the elastic)and then add 1, for seam allowances. Remember that it is always better for it to be too big than too small- you can always hem it extra.

Cut 2 of the 1 inch wide ribbon to the size that you came up with. Mine was 18 inches long, which ended up to be a bit too tight- just a bit.



Step 9: Lay one piece of the ribbon over the other, so that about 1/2 inch of the bottom ribbon is showing.


Next, tape it this way, using scotch tape.





Step 10: Sew it! Use a 1/4in seam allowance from the edge of the top ribbon.


Give it a quick iron, because it will look very...bumpy. Ironing it will smooth it out well.

Step 11: Get out the lace that is as long as your headband. Cut it to be the exact size of the headband.


Step 12: Lay the lace over the ribbon so that it is in the middle and covers up the line where you sewed previously. Pin it and sew one line near each of the edges of lace. For this part, you may want to use a brightly colored thread, so that it stands out against the lace.




Step 13: Iron it and make it smooth once again.

Step 14: Time to get out your other lace! Cut about 5-6 pieces that are 1-1/2 inches long, or as long as your ribbon's width.



Step 15: Lay your small stripes on your headband, about 2 inches apart. (If you wanted, you could make them closer together, like 1 inch apart, instead)




Step 16: Sew the strips on- for each one, sew a rectangle- around all corners of the pieces.



After all strips are sewed on, it should look like this:



Step 17: Hemming the main piece... Fold the short edges under about 1/2 inch. Pin them. Sew them.



Step 18: Grab the elastic/casing that you put away before. It's time to attach it to the main headband piece!

Get one of the sides you just hemmed. Lay it over one edge of the elastic. Sew it over a few times, making sure that your stitch is strong.




Step 19: Time to make a choice: Technically, if you like it the way it is now, you can be done. But I decided to add a cute flower, to make it more interesting. So, now, you decide: flower or no flower? If you chose flower, continue on to Step 20. If you chose no flower and like the way it is, well then Congrats! You have successfully completed a Ribbonique Headband! You may want to go to step 22, in case your headband doesn't fit properly.

Step 20: Making the flower...

This flower is slightly difficult to make... Does this video help? I hope so- try it anyway!



After making the squished wad of lace that will soon look like a flower, sew around it so that it stays in place.

Then, cut a circle of lace about the size of the lace. Sew the lace onto the ribbon.

Make a second, smaller flower using the other kind of lace. Place this one over the other and sew it into place.

Viola! Your flower is done! It should look something like this:



Step 21: Attaching the flower... Run to the closest mirror and try on your headband. Decide where you want your flower to go. Sew it in place- again, make it a sturdy stitch.

Step 22: Make sure your headband fits right. If it is too big, you can fold it under a little, close to the bottom, where no one'll see.

Step 23: Victory! You have completed your headband. A feeling of relief and happiness will run through you and you will jump up and raise your arms! Victory! (Just Kidding)

Final Result:





Hope you had fun! :)