Tee to Headband

Bed rest --> Day 8 = another DIY project using my old tees!!!  I'm quite obsessed.  They're recycled, easy, convenient, soft, and free -- all things I love and need in my life right now.

This particular headband is sized for my {soon to be here} baby girl.  This is a newborn headband, however, the same exact tutorial can be used for child or adult sizes just make the braided bit longer.

Tee to Headband:  Newborn version

What you need:

- Old T-shirt

- Thread and needle

- Hot glue gun/fabric glue (optional)

- Scrap felt (optional)

- Scissors

Step 1

~ Take your old t-shirt and cut { 4  } - 2 inch (width) strips

[ I cut my strips vertical but only used the length (hem to collar) of the shirt for this particular headband.  To make a longer headband you could cut horizontal (side to side) then cut that "loop" of fabric on one end to open it up in 1 longer strip. ]

Note:  This particular shirt had a colorful pattern on one side of the shirt.  I cut the 3 strips for the braided headband out of the plain blue side and the 4th strip from the colorful side to be used in the fabric flower embellishment

Step 2

~ Take 3 of the strips and put a safety pin through all three binding them together.

~ Braid the strips into one long braid

Step 3

~ Measure the length desired for your headband.  If the braid is longer than needed, cut the excess off.{ for this newborn version I needed it to be about 13 inches.  If this is for a child or an adult it's best to measure with the actual persons head. }

 ~ Secure both ends of the braid by tacking it with a quick and simple stitch.  { I used the most basic stitch but went back and forth a couple of times.  This can easily be done with a sewing machine, but until I get one, I hand sew! }

~ Bring both ends together (being sure the braid is not twisted) and sew the ends together.  { Technically this can be done in place of the above step but I wanted to ensure this braid was NOT coming undone so I did both. }

Step 4 

(For newborn/baby headbands only - for children or adults this is optional)

~ Cut an additional small piece of fabric from the t-shirt (approx 1 inch x 2 inches)

~ Wrap this piece around the joint part of the headband that you just sewed and sew them together a smidge above where they meet the headband {you want this to be somewhat snug around the braid, but not too tight}.

~  Once this is sewn together, turn this loop inside out.  It should look like so...

Note:  This is to add softness to the joint since it will be going on a newborn's head.  For an older child or adult headband this wouldn't be necessary.

Step 5

~ Set the headband aside

~ Create the fabric flower embellishment { see tutorial here --> If you're using fabric/hot glue  Fabric embellishment  / If you're using needle and thread Tee to Tank, Step 3}

Step 6

~ Add flower to headband

Options :

- Needle and thread

- Hot glue

- Fabric glue

- Attach to a hair clip for easy change out

Since this version was for a newborn I stuck with needle and thread.  I liked the all over color scheme and didn't want the hassle of the flower being removed.  I chose to sew the flower to the "joint" of the braided bit.

Love it!!  Can't wait to put it on my little girl.  And these were so easy to make!  I have 11 days left of bed rest.  I see many more headbands {and variations} in my future!  The possibilities are endless...multiple flowers, different types or colors of flowers, flowers with beads and rhinestones....but wait...there's also a completely different headband style to come :)