You’ll see them on messy buns instead of teased side ponytails, but the scrunchie is back in style! These little ruffled fabric circles are easy to make. I’m going to show you how to make a scrunchie without sewing a stitch.

As a 90s teen with a current teen, it’s kind of fun to have one of my old fashion trends in common. Although I will never concede that “and I oop” is less ridiculous than “cool beans”.

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The Secret to a No-Sew Scrunchie

If you don’t want to sew a scrunchie or don’t have a machine, it’s easy to make a scrunchie without sewing at all. The process itself is nearly the same.

As is often the case with a DIY project, the secret is the right glue.

For fabric, including DIY scrunchies, I use my very favorite fabric glue. It dries quickly and clear, and keeps fabrics in place permanently. But for this project,it has 2 big benefits.

• It’s washable. That means your scrunchie can be tossed in the washing machine if it gets dirty or sweaty without falling apart.
• It’s flexible, so your handmade scrunchie stays soft and, well, scrunchy. Unlike hot glue, which turns brittle and can crack. Plus, you can keep your fingerprints!

Making Scrunchies: The Basics

Just like in sewn scrunchies, you can customize the “poof” and “scrunch”.

Sure, those are technical terms. Let’s go with that.

Just modify the length or width of the fabric rectangle to customize the look of your DIY scrunchie.

In general, longer and wider fabric rectangles will make a bunchier version, while shorter pieces will make a scrunchie that is smoother.

A narrower piece of fabric will make a mini scrunchie, which can be less overwhelming to thinner hair.

I prefer a 4″ wide x 21″ long piece of fabric (instead of 3.5″)  for a standard scrunchie that will wrap 2 times around a bun or ponytail. Making a scrunchie without sewing is a little easier with the extra bit of width to work with.

As for fabric, any type with a tighter weave will work when making a no-sew scrunchie. Looser woven fabrics allow too much glue to squeeze through, leaving you with a big mess and not enough fabric to stick securely.

Try making scrunchies using cotton or cotton blends, flannel, or polyester for everyday scrunchies, silk, satin, or even velvet for fancier styles.

Flannel and textured fabrics make wonderful fall scrunchies, while stretchy performance knits are great for workout hair ties.

When making your No-Sew Scrunchie, make sure you use a good strong line of fabric glue without skipping spots.

Make sure your glue is dry before moving to the next step, which should take only a few minutes.

Make a DIY Scrunchie Without Sewing

Yield: 1+

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: 1

Estimated Cost: under $5

How to make a scrunchie without sewing, using scrap fabric. Learn the technique and materials needed for a hair scrunchie that stays together.

Print

Materials

• Fabric strips, approximately 21x4"
• Fabri-tac Fabric Glue
• 2 Safety Pins
• 1/4" elastic, 6-8" length

Tools

• tube turner, if desired
• straight pins

Instructions

1. Cut a strip of fabric approximately 4" x 21", making sure the corners are squared. Fold the fabric lengthwise with right sides together, aligning long edges. Fold top layer back 1/2". Working several inches at a time, add a solid line of fabric glue along open side, 1/4" from edge. Fold top edge back onto glue and press edges together. Repeat with remaining length.to make a long fabric tube.
   
   
   
2. Turn tube right-side-out (a tube turner will make this step simple.)
   
   
   
3. Pin one end of elastic to end of fabric tube to keep in place. Attach a safety pin to the other elastic end and use it to thread elastic through the fabric tube, bunching the fabric together as you go.
   
   
   
4. Unpin elastic, holding ends together. Tie a square knot in elastic, adding a dot of fabric glue to middle for extra security.
   
   
   
5. Bring open ends of fabric together covering elastic. Add 1" line of fabric glue to right side of one tube end, then fold fabric down to center pressing right sides together. Repeat around circle to close the tube and finish the no-sew DIY Scrunchie.
   
   

Did you make this project?

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