Headband DIY tutorial

I have a favorite headband that i've practically worn out, and haven't been able to find the same one in the store (as I purchased it svrl years ago).  I finally decided it was time to just make my own, or at least attempt. For a girl who has picked up a sewing machine only a handfull of times, I was pretty pleased w/ the results!! Thought I'd share this tutorial w/ whoever want's to attempt their own. Let me know how it works. Or if you have any tips or suggestions :D

Step 1: I made a pattern to follow (for future reference, or as a cut out tool) w/ an old bill lying around. 9in long and 8in wide. place the 8in side along the fold in your material (so that unfolded you will have 18in x 8in rectangle.

Here is the 8in by 9in piece once the pattern guide is removed. notice the fold.

Step 2: Cut out the piece that will go along the back of your head and hold the elastic. this piece measured 12in by 2 1/2 inches.  You only need one piece, so don't worry about folding the fabric prior to cutting it.

Step 3: cut the elastic. I used 1/2 inch elastic. I layed it next to the headband that fit me perfectly for measurement. then added 1/2 inch on either side. My length to cut was 7inches.

Step 4: take your first cut (the 9inch by 8inch) and unfold it so that it is 18x8 inches. Fold the material inside out along it's length(so that the right side of the fabric touches) now it should measure 18x4inches. Iron the seam and pin it to hold. Sew along the open ended length and leave the two short ends open.

Step5: do the same w/ the smaller piece (the 12x2 1/2).  and sew along the length, leaving the short ends both open.

Large piece

small piece

cut off the excess

Step 6: This part is sort of tricky to explain. And I made several mistakes when I wasn't thinking about what I was doing. Put a safety pin on one end of your elastic band. place THAT end of the elastic INTO one open end of the SMALL 12x2 pieces. ONLY PLACE IT ABOUT 1/2 INCH INTO THE OPENING. MY PICTURE SHOWS IT LAYING ON TOP TOO FAR UP. SO ONLY ABOUT 1/2 INCH INTO THE FABRIC. next you want to sew that opening closed. You'll have a long elastic tail hanging out of your fabric.

Step 7: Now use your safety pin as a guide to help you turn the fabric right side out, so that it covers the elastic BUT DON'T LOSE HOLD OF YOUR LOOSE ELASTIC END!   keep about 1/2 inch of the elastic poking out of the unsewn end.  wrap the loose end of the fabric in 3rds around the end of the elastic and sew closed.

((psst!  that was a horrible picture and it's not even finished, but I guess I didn't have another one to show for example.  oops!!))
Step 8: take your larger piece and turn it inside out. Iron flat.

Step 9: Now place your sewn elastic strip on top of your large headband piece (just like in my photo above). Fold one end in 3rds over the elastic and pin in place. sew closed underneath the pin. You can trim the excess off now if you want, or when you are done w/ the other side.

NEXT DO THE SAME TO THE OTHER END.

TRIM OFF THE ENDS (CAREFULL TO CUT ABOVE YOUR SEWN PART)

AND TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT! VIOLA!!! HEADBAND!! I like the width of this headband, but you can make it skinnier if you prefer, or just fold it before putting it on your head.