How to Make a Scrunchie – Denim Upcycle

Calling all 80’s and 90’s fans – Stop! It’s SCRUNCHIE time!  I absolutely LOVE scrunchies.  As with many of my projects, this is definitely a fun and nostalgic project for me.  Well if you’re a fellow fan of the scrunchie you’re in luck because they are very popular again.  From moms to kids, to VSCO girls – scrunchies are all the rage!  In the following article, we are going to show you how to make your very own scrunchie with a denim upcycle twist!

What is a Scrunchie?

You most likely already know but just in case – a scrunchie is an elastic hair band with scrunched material around it.  It’s used to tie back your hair but often people wear them on their wrists as well in case they want to have something to tie their hair back.

Scrunchies and Me

Well scrunchies and me go way back.  I remember making scrunchies with one of my friends in 8^th grade.  We were obsessed with them and would make them all the time.  Now fast forward and scrunchies are very much in style again.  It’s perfect timing because now I can enjoy this trend again with my daughter! 

This is such a fun, easy, and useful project.  Scrunchies in my house are a must.  Probably around 90% of the time I have my hair up and am always in need of a scrunchie.  My daughter has really long hair and also uses them, too, ALL. THE. TIME.  Being able to make our own scrunchies has been a lifesaver because one of the two of us were always searching for something to tie up our hair!

They also make great gifts as well.

How to Make a Scrunchie Denim Upcycle Project

This project is especially special because it’s also an upcycle project.  I love me an upcycle project!  In this project I use the material from an old pair of jeans to make the scrunchie.  Really you can use any material you wish to use but I thought it would be fun (and also better on the wallet and environment) to use something that I already had.  Plus who doesn’t love denim?

Another idea is to use old t-shirts.  The process would be the same.  Actually, t-shirt material is ideal because it is soft and scrunches really well. 

So, let’s get started on our scrunchie tutorial!

Supplies Needed for How to Make Scrunchies

• Piece of material cut to 22 inches long by 4 inches wide (the longer the material the more the “scrunch”
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Elastic strip (cut to 9 inches)
• Needle and Thread and/or Sewing Machine
• Chalk
• Straight needles (if hand sewing)
• Iron and ironing board
• Knitting needle (or long object like a pencil)

If you prefer you can watch the video version of our “How to Make Scrunchies” project below:

Step One – Measure Material

Take your piece of material (we have our jeans) and measure out a 22” long by 4” wide piece.  I use a piece of chalk to mark the measurements and draw some dashed lines to guide when I cut the piece of material.  Also, I make sure to not include the already sewn seam in the jean because it’s too thick and will be difficult to match up the sides evenly to sew.  Just remember that that longer the material the more “scrunch” there will be to your scrunchie.

Step Two – Cut the Material

Now using the drawn chalk guides from the step above, carefully cut out your piece of material.

Step Three – Fold the material Long Wise

Now you want to take your long strip of material and fold it in half long-wise.  Make sure when you fold it in half that the inner side of the material is facing out (so you sew it inside out).  In other words, you want the final side of the material to be on the inside and not showing at this point.

Then take your material and press it with an iron to give it a crisp seam.  This helps to keep the material in place while you sew using the sewing machine.

If you are sewing by hand – which is totally possible – it is helpful to use straight pins to pin the two layers of material together while you sew.  Just don’t prick yourself!  Back in the day when I used to make scrunchies in Middle School we always sewed them by hand because we didn’t have access to a sewing machine.

Step Four – Sew Your Scrunchie

Okay so now it’s time to sew your scrunchie.  If using a sewing machine just carefully and slowly sew a straight stitch seam with about a ¼ inch seam allowance from the edge of the material.  It helps to do a back stitch in the beginning and end of the seam to keep the thread from unraveling.

Step Five – Turn the material inside out

When the material was sewn it was sewn inside out in order to have the sewn seam on the inside.  Now it’s time to turn the material right side out.  In doing this with the jean material, I just started pushing the material through. 

When doing this with the denim material I just did it little by little and pulled the material through.  It can be pretty tricky. I used a knitting needle to push the material through at certain points.  Because this material is quite a bit thicker and stiffer and it was too difficult to do it any other way.

If using thinner, softer material you can pin a safety pin on one end of the material and then pull it through. I tried this for the denim scrunchie but the material was way too thick so I ended up accomplishing it through the method mentioned above.

Step 6 – Pull the Elastic Through

Now it’s time to take the elastic strip and pull it through.  I use a knitting needle and tape the elastic strip to it and push it through the sewn strip of material.  Then remove the tape and carefully remove the knitting needle (or pencil or other long pointed object) without letting the elastic go. 

Then tie the ends of the elastic bands together.

Step 7 – Fold under ends of material

The next step is to tuck/fold under each end of the material to make the edges look cleaner.  Then match up the two edges and hand sew the two edges together.

And you’re done!  You’ve made your very own scrunchie.

This is such a fun and easy project.  I’ve been making tons of them.  They make a great accessory and also a great gift.

Tell us how you liked this tutorial in the comments!  I’m going to go watch some reruns of “Saved by the Bell!”

If you liked this DIY tutorial you should try our Bandana Face Mask tutorial as well.

Happy Making!