Just like the good ol’ fanny pack, scrunchies are having a comeback! Our nostalgia for the ’90s is in full swing thanks to these brightly colored scrunchies that are doubling as fashion statements. Using less than a fat quarter of fabric, this is the perfect DIY project to help you make a dent in your fabric stash, just in time for the gift-giving season.

five scrunchies in various colors lay on a white background.

Choosing the Right Fabric and Design for Your Scrunchie

Before we start making scrunchies, let’s talk about choosing the right fabric and design. You’ll be pleased to learn that a majority of Spoonflower’s woven fabrics are suitable for a scrunchie, so if you’ve been hanging onto your fabric scraps, this is the project for you! We tested this tutorial using Celosia Velvet™, Petal Signature Cotton™ and Organic Cotton Sateen. Our favorite fabric to use for scrunchies? Hands down, Celosia Velvet! The plush, fabric with a gorgeous sheen was just the ticket for a sophisticated scrunchie.

Speaking of designs, when searching the Marketplace for scrunchie designs, think small. We recommend adding the term ditzy or small-scale to your keyword search to help find designs that are small enough for your 17″ x 3″ scrunchie pattern piece. Take a look at our scrunchie-approved collection to get a head start!

Pro tip:

Use the Fill-A-Yard® cheater quilt template to order multiple scrunchie designs on one yard of fabric!

DIY Scrunchie Materials

  • 17″ x 3″ piece of fabric—we’re using Ashley Dots by shelbyallison on Celosia Velvet
  • 1/4″ wide elastic, 7″ long
  • Safety pin or loop turner
  • Sewing machine
  • Embroidery needle and thread
  • Iron
  • Cutting shears or rotary blade
  • Pins or clips
  • Seam gauge

How to Make a Scrunchie

Follow along with this video to create your scrunchie and subscribe to our Youtube channel to keep up with the latest tutorials!

1. Cut A Rectangle From Your Fat Quarter

Cut out a 17” x 3” rectangle from your fabric. 

2. Fold Your Rectangle

With your rectangle design side down, fold one short end of the fabric strip inward 1/2” from the edge. Press the ends with an iron or your finger.

Turn the rectangle design side up and fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise. Press the fold with your iron, then pin it in place.

A woman folding over a piece of fabric, measuring 1/2" with a ruler.
Fold one end of your fabric back 1/2″.
A woman ironing a rectangular piece of fabric.
After folding your rectangle in half lengthwise, press the fold with your iron.

3. Sew Your Rectangle

Stitch the length of rectangle using a 3/8″ seam allowance. After sewing, trim your seam allowance to reduce bulk. We now have a tube that needs to turn design side out.

4. Flip Your Rectangle Design Side Out

Attach the safety pin or loop turner to one end of the rectangular tube and turn right side out. Adjust the fabric so that the seam lays in the middle. Take your iron and press it in place. 

Woman in a white shirt holds up a fabric tube in front of a white background.
After pulling a safety pin or loop turner through your tube, it should now be design side out.

5. Guide Your Elastic Through The Tube

Take your 7″ piece of elastic and attach the safety pin to one end of the elastic. Thread it through one of the open ends of the fabric tube until you come out the other end. Make sure to hold on to both ends of your elastic at all times!

A close up of a woman's hands pulling elastic through a fabric tube with a safety pin. Out of focus, in the distance we see the bottom half of the woman's face smiling. She's standing in front of a white background.

6. Stitch the Elastic Ends Together

Pull the elastic taut and overlap the two ends. Secure the elastic ends by stitching in place. 

Close up of woman pointing to stitched elastic band she's holding in her other hand.

7. Tuck In The Fabric End

Take the unfinished end of the fabric tube and insert it into the opening on the finished end, about 1/2” deep, making sure the middle seams are aligned. Pin or clip in place. 

8. Stitch The Ends To Close the Scrunchie

Hand stitch the fabric ends to secure the scrunchie. Now your scrunchie is complete and ready for wearing!

Make your own scunchie and tag us on Instagram to see!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Fabric Should I Use to Make A Scrunchie?
What design should I use to make a scrunchie?
We’ve curated a scrunchie-approved collection with designs we’d think would make the perfect scrunchie! If you have other designs in mind we suggest a small scale print or ditsy design that will shine however you twist your scrunchie.

Looking For More Fat Quarter Projects?

We love fat quarter projects too! There’s so many things you can create with this size of fabric: from bowties, to headbands and even holiday home decor. Map out your next project here!
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