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DIY Fold Over Elastic Hair Ties or Headbands in 2 minutes

You can find fold over elastic hair ties in most department stores, but they are ridiculously expensive. So why not make your own foe hair ties and headbands and spend you hard earned money on something else instead (more fabric? 🙂

how to make elastic hair ties tutorial

I’ve had long hair all my life. And for as long as I can remember – not enough scrunchies and hair ties. They just disappear in my purses or drawers and I can never find an elastic hair tie when I need one. I’d like to wear an elastic hair tie on my wrist so I can whip up my hair in a ponytail at any given time. I love the fact that these are creaseless hair ties and you don’t end up with these annoying hair creases after a workout.

The best thing is, you can make your DIY elastic hair headbands using the same method and a bit more foe (fold over elastic).

diy elastic hair ties on a hand

Below you will find my step by step diy hair ties and headbands out of fold over elastic written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make elastic hair ties and foe headbands

Supplies and tools

elastic hair ties supplies - foe in different colors

  • 5/8″ fold over elastic that is 8-10″ long (1 yd makes 4 elastic hair ties)
  • scissors
  • ruler or measuring tape
  • a lighter (optional)

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DIY Elastic Hair ties and foe headbands TUTORIAL

Watch the diy fold over elastic hair ties and diy foe headbands video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
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FOE HAIRTIES AND HEADBANDS VIDEO TUTORIAL

DIY ELASTIC HAIR TIES or HEADBANDS INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Gather you supplies

Buy a 5/8″ fold over elastic (or foe) which is 1.5cm. One yard makes about 4 elastic hair ties. You can find it at your local Joann’s, or order it online at Amazon or Etsy.

You can usually get a yard or 1 meter of fold over elastic for about $1 (less than 1 eur). Getting 4 elastic hair ties out of this yard translates into just $0.25 per creaseless elastic hair tie. What a steal – up to 10 times less than some places.

Buying in bulk saves even more! Here is a great deal that I’ve found over at amazon – a variety pack of assorted colors at a great price. So many color options – I love it.

STEP 2: Measure

Measure a length of the fold over elastic:

measure and cut the fold over elastic to make elastic hair ties

ELASTIC HAIR TIES SIZE CHART:

  • 9″ (23cm) for a standard sized elastic hair tie
  • 8″ (20cm) for girls or adults with thin hair
  • 10″ (25cm) for adults with extra thick or curly hair

ELASTIC HAIRBANDS SIZE CHART:

  • Adult: 18″
  • Teen: 17.5″
  • 3-12 y.o – 17″
  • 1-3 y.o.- 16″
  • 6-12 mo – 15″
  • 3-6mo – 14″
  • 0-3 -13″
  • newborn – 12″

add 1/2″ for overlap if you are sewing the edges together, add 1″ if you are using making a knotted hairband

STEP 3: Cut the elastic

Cut out the elastic according to the size you need.

You can cut it at a slight angle to add interest.

holding the elastic hair tie

STEP 4: Make a knot

Fold the elastic in half and line up the raw edges.

folding elastic in half to make elastic hair tie

Make sure that the shiny (right) side is facing out. I’d like to place my finger on the fold, but it’s not necessary – do what works for you!

Tie a knot as close to the end as possible. Pull tight

make a knot to finish the diy elastic hair tie

STEP 5: (optional) Melt the raw edges

Run the flame of the lighter along the raw edges. This will seal them and will prevent fraying

elastic hair ties - melting the raw ends

That’s it your diy elastic hair tie is ready! Now go and make a bunch more in all your favorite colors to match your outfits.

Make three or four in a variety of colors, slide them on a piece of cardboard and you have a wonderful handmade gift.

finished homemade elastic hair ties

STEP 6: (optional) Make an elastic hair ties holder (cardboard display)

Cut a piece of cardboard using the following measurements:

  • elastic hair ties holder – 3 x 4″ (7 x 10cm)
  • elastic headband holder – 7 x 1.5″ (18 x 4cm)

Cut all corners at a 45 degrees angle or round them slightly.

Slip the diy elastic hair ties or diy elastic hairband on the cardboard display.

The hair tie holder will hold up to 4 FOE hair ties and the headband cardboard display will hold one foe headband. The cardboard sizes are for adult sized hair accessories. If you are making the smaller ones, reduce the size accordingly.

diy elastic hair ties holder cardboard display

These fold over elastic hair ties come together so quickly and easily that they are a great idea for crafty camp nights or sleepovers. It’s a great craft for kids, too

fold over elastic hair tie in use

Apart from being great for personal use, they are excellent for:

  • Sporting teams (pick color to match the uniform)
  • Teacher appreciation gifts
  • Fundraising events
  • Craft fairs
  • Selling

DIY FOE HAIR TIES OPTIONS:

  • add bling – if you want some sparkle, but can’t find sparkly foe you like, you can add some glitter. Use this only as a last resort as glitter tends to get EVERYWHERE. You will need a glue gun or fabric glue and glitter.

making of the elastic hair ties - adding glitter

    • Place the finished foe hair tie on a piece of paper.
    • Use the glue to make a pattern – dots or stripes work best
    • Sprinkle some glitter on top, lightly press it with your finger and remove the excess
    • Add another layer of glue on top of the glitter to seal it and keep it from moving
    • Let it dry, flip the elastic over and repeat

Do you like this? Pin for later:

DIY elastic hair ties - no sew tutorial

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 7 comments
Joanne - April 23, 2021

So easy!

Reply
    Helen - April 23, 2021

    and soo fun!

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - April 25, 2021

Very cute! One can never have too many hair ties! Thanks for linking.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - April 27, 2021

    Especially if you keep losing them as I do 🙂

    Reply
Stephanie 139a - April 26, 2021

Fun, and easy. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

Reply
Donna @ Modern on Monticello - April 28, 2021

I learned something new with this post. I had wondered how to make these but didn’t know about fold over elastic. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty

Reply
Sarita Harbour - April 28, 2021

What a great idea – and a simple way to save money. Thanks for sharing at The Homestead Blog Hop 337!

Reply

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