DIY top knot headbands have become a staple accessory for people of all ages and we can see why. The easy-to-make fat quarter project is the perfect way to accessorize your outfit and let your personality shine with bold design choices like this ‘80s inspired geometric design. Bonus: depending on the size of the noggin you’re making a headband for, you might even be able to make two headbands from one fat quarter—that’s just $6.75 a headband!

How to Make a Top Knot Headband

Headband Materials

  • 1 Fat quarter of Modern Jersey or Cotton Spandex Jersey
  • Sewing machine
  • Ball point needle 
  • Measuring tape 
  • Fabric scissors or rotary blade
  • Pins or Wonder Clips

Before you get started, measure the circumference of your head. This will be referred to as HC throughout the rest of the tutorial.

DIY Top Knot Headband - materials | Spoonflower Blog

Prep Your Fabric 

Cut out the following headband pieces from your fabric: 

  • Headband Base: HC x 5.5″ (14cm)
  • Bow Base: 12″ x 5.5″ (30.5cm x 14cm)
  • Bow Closure: 4″ x 3.75″ (10.2cm x 9.5cm)

*If your head circumference measurement is 24″ (61cm) or less, you’ll be able to make two headbands with a fat quarter of Modern Jersey.* 

DIY top knot headband cutting layout | Spoonflower Blog

Stitch the Headband Base, Bow Base and Bow Closure Together

Fold the headband base, bow base and bow closure in half right sides together to make a long, skinny rectangle. Using a light bolt stitch or stretch stitch, stitch the long end in place with a ½” (1.3cm) seam allowance. Trim the excess seam allowance and turn right side out.

Stitch the Headband Base, Bow Base and Bow Closure Together | Spoonflower Blog
Stitch the Headband Base, Bow Base and Bow Closure Together | Spoonflower Blog

Center the Base Seams

Move the seam of each fabric tube to the middle so that each piece has a side with the seam in the middle and a side where the seam is not invisible. This will create a right and wrong side.

Center the Base Seams | Spoonflower Blog
Center the Base Seams | Spoonflower Blog

Sandwich the Headband Base Between the Bow Base

Fold the headband base in half so the seam is on the outside facing you.

Place the bow base seam side down and then place the folded headband base on top of the bow base so the raw edges are aligned. Fold over the bow base so the headband base is sandwiched between the bow base. All raw edges should be aligned.

Important note: You will need to fold the headband base over slightly in order to fit on half of the bow base, as pictured below.

Sandwich the Headband Base Between the Bow Base | Spoonflower Blog
Sandwich the Headband Base Between the Bow Base | Spoonflower Blog
Sandwich the Headband Base Between the Bow Base | Spoonflower Blog

Using a straight stitch, stitch the two bases together with a 1/2″ (1.3cm) seam.

Stitch the headband base and bow base together | Spoonflower Blog

Trim the seam and turn out both loops.

Turn out the headband loops | Spoonflower Blog
Turn out the headband loops | Spoonflower Blog

Attach the Bow Center

With the seam side facing out, wrap the bow center around the bow base and headband base matching the raw ends. Stitch in place with a 1/2″ (1.3cm) seam.

Attach the headband bow | Spoonflower Blog
Attach the headband bow | Spoonflower Blog

Flip the bow center so the seams are on the inside. Adjust the bow as necessary and place around your head to take your headband for a test ride!

DIY top knot headband bow | Spoonflower Blog