Friday, July 22, 2011

FOE Kerchief Headband Tutorial


Yet another cool use for FOE (Fold Over Elastic) is for hair stuff.  Since it's wide and soft it really does the job of keeping hair pulled back comfortably.  And the fun colors make it perfect to match to outfits.  


Today's project shows how to make a cute little kerchief headband that will stay in place.  Super easy too!  Here's how-

You'll need:
- 1 inch wide FOE (Fold Over Elastic)  I get mine from FOE Your Diaper
- Two squares of fabric
- Package of thin double fold bias tape (optional)
- Measuring tape
- Marking pen

First determine size.  Measure the head around like a headband and add 1 inch.  This will be the length of FOE needed.  Next measure from the top of one ear up over the head to the other ear (like half a headband).  This will give the length of the diagonal part of the kerchief square.  Multiply this number by 1.41 and that will give the length of the sides of the square.  If you don't want to use bias tape to trim it, add an extra half inch to all sides for a seam allowance. Cut out the squares & FOE.


To make the headband we'll be doing a french seam (so it looks nice & finished).  Put the cut ends together with the wrong sides facing and sew a seam 1/4 inch from the edge.


Then flip the band wrong side out and stitch another seam 1/4 inch to the left of the original, so it looks like this:


Now turn it right side out again and fold down the seam to one side and stitch it in place:


Now, make a mark with your pen at the top middle of the headband:


With wrong sides of fabric together, attach bias tape around the square, mitering the corners (aka folding the tape on an angle):


If you want to skip the bias tape border, the squares would need to be sewn wrong sides together leaving a small opening to pull right side out and then topstitched around the edge.  Now fold the kerchief in half like this so that one side is about an inch below the other and mark the middle of the flat end:


Insert the headband into the fold of the kerchief with the longer side facing out and lining up the center markings:


Pin into place along the fold:


Stitch together using a triple zig-zag set to 5.0 wide by 2.0 long.  Now your kerchief headband is ready to wear!


I really loved this Toyland Happy Flowers fabric by Robert Kaufman, so I made a matching dress using my Re-Tee Dress Tutorial from last summer.  The top part is made from an outgrown onesie and the straps are matching pink FOE (of course!):


She's been getting compliments on it whenever she wears it!


And I have to say I really love it too:)


Now I need to make a few for myself!  Are you ready to make some of your own?  


Sharing this creation with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too so click HERE to check them out!
Tickled Pink at 504 MainTip Junkie handmade projects

13 comments:

  1. That is sooo cute. Love the colors as well.

    BTW I'm hosting a FAT Quarter giveaway so swing by when you get a chance :) - http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/07/fabric-love-19-fats-and-fabric-giveaway.html

    -Q

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm going to have to find some of this FOE!! That kerchief headband is adorable! My daughter had one when she was little and always looked so cute in it!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so adorable! I make all these headbands and bows for other people's kids and I can't get MY girl to wear anything on her head!

    Thanks for linking up to Craft and Tell!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How cute and what a cutie for a model. I have never heard of FOE.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE it!! Thanks for sharing @'Sew Cute Tuesday'! I'll be featuring you on 8/02, so be sure to stop by and grab a 'featured' button!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is sooooo cute!!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-foldover-elastic-kerchief-headband/2011/08/07/

    --Anne

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love, love, love this headband. I don't have any sense with measurements. I would love to make this for an infant, any suggestions on the size to cut the kerchief.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here are some general sizes by age (you'll need to add the 1 inch seam allowance to them). FOE is very stretchy so there's always some extra wiggle room if a head is a bit larger than the norm:

      0-3 mos 15 inches
      3-6 mos 16 inches
      6-12 mos 17 inches
      12-24 mos 18 inches

      Delete
    2. Thank you Cheryl but I needed to know the size of the fabric piece at least a general ideal. Sorry for not making myself clear :)

      Delete
    3. I made this 2 yrs ago so I'm not 100% sure, but from counting the 1 inch spaces on the cutting mat grid in my pics, they're about 9in squares.

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