9 Fun Hair Accessories You Can Make at Home

Does your child love hair accessories? What if we told you there are dozens of options you can make at home with a few basic supplies like fabric scraps, ribbon, and elastic? Here are nine to try out the next time you're looking for a weekend project that actually produces something useful.

Scrunchies

As part of caring for your child's hair, you may need to tie it up! For example, keeping hair out of their face during meals or bedtime. And for this, you'll need scrunchies. You can make them with a strip of fabric and a hair tie.

Cut the fabric into a rectangle roughly four inches wide and nine inches long. Cotton is easier to sew if this is your first scrunchie, while velvet gives the finished accessory more grip on smooth hair. Fold the rectangle lengthwise with the printed side facing inward, then sew along the long edge to create a tube. Thread the hair tie through the tube, knot its ends together, and sew the open fabric edges around the knot.

Ribbon Bows

You can make bows at home! For this, you'll need ribbon. Thick ribbon is easier to shape into a neat bow, but you can also work with thin ribbon if you take your time.

Cut a length of ribbon, loop it into a bow shape, and pinch the center tightly. Wrap a shorter piece of ribbon around that pinched middle and glue or stitch it in place. After the center is secure, hot glue the finished bow onto a plain clip or headband. Grosgrain ribbon is easier to control because its ribbed texture keeps the loops from slipping, while satin creates a softer finish.

Knotted Headbands

A knotted headband is one of the more satisfying accessories to make because the knot itself is the design. You don't need any hardware.

Cut two strips of stretchy fabric, each about two inches wide and long enough to wrap around the head with a few inches of overlap. Cross the strips over each other once at the center to form the knot, then sew the ends together to create a loop. Jersey knit fabric is the easiest material to work with here because it stretches without fraying when you cut it, which means no hemming required.

Twisted Turban Headbands

This one looks more complicated than it is. The twist in the front adds structure and keeps the headband from sliding back throughout the day.

Cut one long strip of fabric about four to five inches wide. Fold it in length, sew the long edge closed, and turn it right-side out. Fold the tube in half and twist the two layers over each other at the midpoint before sewing the ends into a loop. The twist sits at the front when worn. Spandex blends work well here because the fabric recovers its shape after being stretched onto the head.

Claw Clip Bows

Plain claw clips are easy to find and even easier to upgrade. A fabric bow on top turns a basic clip into something more decorative without adding much bulk.

Make a small bow from ribbon or fabric as described above, then use a strong adhesive or a few tight stitches to attach it directly to the top of the claw clip. The bow should sit flat against the clip so it doesn't shift when your child snaps it into their hair. Smaller bows suit mini claw clips, while wider bows fit the larger clips meant for thicker hair.

Braided Elastic Headbands

Three pieces of thin elastic braided together create a headband with more texture than a plain elastic loop. The braid also distributes tension more evenly across the head, so it's more comfortable for extended wear.

Cut three strands of elastic, each the same length, and knot them together at one end. Braid the strands and knot the other end once you've reached your desired length. Sew or tie the two knotted ends together to close the loop. Round elastic braids more neatly than flat elastic, so if you can find the round style, it's the better choice here.

Fabric-Wrapped Barrettes

Plain metal barrettes are functional but forgettable. Wrapping them in fabric ribbon takes about five minutes and gives you something to coordinate with an outfit.

Cut a thin strip of fabric ribbon slightly longer than the barrette itself. Apply a thin line of fabric glue to the back of the barrette, then wrap the ribbon around it at a diagonal angle, overlapping each pass slightly. Tuck and glue both ends underneath so they don't unravel. Narrow ribbon in a complementary print works better than wide ribbon because it wraps more cleanly without bunching at the edges.

Pearl or Bead Hair Pins

Decorative hair pins are one of the fastest accessories to make because there's no sewing involved. All you need are bobby pins and whatever beads or faux pearls you want to attach.

Thread a small bead onto a bobby pin by opening the two prongs slightly and sliding the bead onto the wavy prong. Once the bead is in position, close the prongs back together to hold it in place. A drop of super glue over the bead keeps it from rotating or slipping off during the day. Faux pearl beads give a clean, simple look, while small colored beads let you match a specific outfit.

Pom-Pom Hair Ties

Pom-poms attached to a basic hair tie add some texture and color to a simple ponytail. These are a good project if you have leftover yarn from another craft.

Make a pom-pom by wrapping yarn around a fork or a small piece of cardboard until you have a dense bundle, tying it tightly in the center, and cutting the loops on each side. Trim the finished pom-pom into a round shape, then tie it securely to a hair elastic. Two smaller pom-poms on one elastic look better than one large one because the weight stays more balanced when your child moves around.

The Right Start for Homemade Accessories

These fun hair accessories you can make at home don't require a sewing machine or an expensive supply list. Most of these projects work with fabric scraps, elastic, and basic craft glue. Once you have a few techniques down, like the bow fold or the knotted headband loop, you can apply them to almost any style.