How To Make a Rosie Wrap Head Band

Rosie wrap, tie up rockabilly headband, dolly bow… whatever you want to call it, this is a super duper easy and quick sewing project. This would be a perfect tutorial to start with if you’re new to sewing.

I made mine in a pretty pink floral print, inspired by the trends featured in the spring crafting inspiration site from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. To celebrate National Sewing and Craft month, Jo-Ann is offering a $5 off coupon on any $25 purchase! Click here for the coupon.

I’ll also show you how to make different widths for a slightly different look. Here’s a wider version, which I think looks a little more like the shape of Rosie the Riveter’s actual wrap:

Heh. Okay, let’s get started. Below is the video version of this tutorial, but after that there’s also a photo/text version so you can go at your own pace.

Photo tutorial:

Step 1
Here’s what you need:

• fabric – woven works best, but you can use a knit or stretch fabric as long as you’ve got some lightweight fusible interfacing! You don’t need much fabric, less than 1/4 yard, so this is a good project for scraps!
• fusible interfacing – only necessary if you’re using knit fabrics or a particularly lightweight woven fabric
• scissors
• sewing machine
• iron
• fabric marker (optional)

 

Step 2
We’ll start with a rectangle. When we’re finished sewing, we want the total length of the headband to be 38″ long.

I’m going to use 1/4″ seam allowances, because then I don’t have to trim them after sewing. However, if you’re new to sewing or aren’t as confident (i.e. brazen and stupid) as me, you can use 3/8″ or even 1/2″ seam allowances.

The point is, remember to add the appropriate seam allowances when you’re cutting your rectangle. Mine will be 38.5″ long with the seam allowances.

 

Now let’s talk width. The thinner band in the photos above is measures 2″ finished. Before sewing, it was 2.5 wide. The thicker band measures 3.5″ finished, so I cut that one 4″ wide.

You can go anywhere in between, or even experiment with wider or thinner bands. Just remember to account for seam allowances when cutting the fabric.

 

Step 3
When you’ve decided on a width, it’s time to cut! Cut 2 rectangles from your main fabric- alternately you can use 2 different fabrics for a reversible headband. The wider band in the photos is retro fruit print on one side and green gingham on the reverse, and the gingham just peeks out where the band is tied. It’s a nice subtle detail.

If you’re using interfacing, cut 2 rectangles from that as well.

Here are my main fabric pieces cut.

Tip: a cutting mat, quilter’s ruler, and rotary cutter make long straight cuts much easier and faster than scissors!

 

Step 4
If you’re using interfacing, fuse one piece of interfacing to the wrong side of each main fabric piece.

Tip: Don’t drop your iron on the floor, unless you want a big ass hunk of plastic to break off of it, like mine.

Here are my strips, all fused up!

 

Step 5
Fold the two rectangles in half and line up the raw edges, as shown above. Mark the center of the short edge using a pin or fabric marker. Then mark 5″ from the end on each long edge.

Connect the dots with a gently curving line.

Step 6
Cut along the marked lines.

 

Step 7
Unfold the rectangles and pin the two pieces right sides together.

Here’s my whole band pinned together.

 Step 8
Towards the center of the long flat edge, make two marks (shown in blue) about 3 inches apart. (You can use special pins instead of a marker like the green heart pin in the photo.) You just need something to remind you NOT to sew in this space.

 

Step 9
Sew around the entire band using your chosen seam allowance. Remember to leave that 3″ section unstitched. Backstitch at the beginning and end of stitching.

 

Step 10
If you used a seam allowance wider than 1/4″, trim them down to 1/4″.

Snip the pointy ends down to about 1/8″ seam allowance, as shown in the photo.

 

Step 11
Using a bamboo skewer or chopstitch, begin turning one end of the band right side out.

Push the end through the space in the center of the band that you left unstitched.

Repeat for the other end until the whole band is turned right side out.

 

Step 12
Put your pointy pokin’ stick back inside the band and make sure the end points are nice and untucked.

 

Step 13
Press the band with your iron. Pay special attention to the unstitched spot. Make sure the raw edges are tucked inside nice and evenly.

 

I like to pin it closed, just in case.

This is the whole pressed band.

Step 14
Time to topstitch! Choose a matching or contrasting color. It’s up to you!

I like to start and stop sewing at the pin- since it’s towards the center of the band, it will wind up at the back of my head, so the backstitching won’t be visible. However, you can wear the headband “hippie” style, with the ties at the base of your neck. If you think you’ll wear it both ways, you might want the backstitching for your topstitch to be somewhere between the center and the points.

That’s it! Tie it on, and you’re ready to rock!

This post brought to you by Joann.com. All opinions are 100% mine.