I don’t know about you, but I wear a fitness headband just about everyday. I have been wanting to make my own for a long time and I finally have! Not only are these DIY fitness headbands super cute, but they are stretchy and stay on your head! I’m no professional sewer, but I did a lot of trial and error and came up with a pretty great pattern! I’m pretty proud of myself to say the least.
When I spent two weeks in Utah earlier this month I had some spare time on my hands and my super crafty mom and older sister nearby to assist if needed. My mom and sister can sew just about anything. I on the other hand have only made baby blankets, burp cloths, an apron, and a hooder hider. My point is, these are easy DIY fitness headbands anyone can make! I will show you step by step how you can make lots too! 
DIY Fitness Headband Tutorial
Materials Needed:
- 2 Pieces of fabric: 1 Piece 16″ X 6″, another 4″ X 2.5″ (Any knit fabric works, but I like the polyester/spandex material pictured below best. All you need to purchase is 6″ and you can make up to 3 headbands!)
- 1 Piece of 3/4″ Braided Elastic cut 4″ long
- Matching Thread
- Pins
- Scissors or Cutting Board
I purchased all my materials from Joann Fabric and Craft Store. I always use their coupon app, email coupons, and newspaper coupons. If you ever go to Joann’s without coupons you’re just being plain silly. I added up my costs on these headbands and they came out to just around $1 each! Say what!?
Fold both pieces of fabric right sides together and sew a 1/4″ seam as pictured below.
Now turn your small piece right side out and put elastic inside. You want the seam down the middle and sew both ends so it stays in place.
Now center your elastic piece inside the large piece of fabric. 
Fold both ends in and pin so it is secure and won’t move when sewing.
Now sew back and forth all the way across.
On opposite side you will fold each side in and pin leaving a small opening to pull fabric back through.
Now you need to sew back and forth on each small fold and leave that small opening in the middle.
Now pull your fabric through that opening so the headband is right side out.
Now you will put your elastic piece into that small opening, fold sides in tight, and sew together!
That’s it! You’re finished! I made a 16″ one for me and a matching 14″ one for my cute niece. You can always measure to make sure you will have the right fit before you sew the last pieces together.
I made lots with different patterns and had my nieces model them. 
Pin this for later!
If you make these DIY Fitness Headbands take a pic and tag us @stayfitmom_Krista and @stayfitmom_tracy on Instagram so we can see! Or you can show us on on our Facebook Page!!
If you have any questions or need any help comment below and we will answer your questions asap!
If you’re a DIY-er, you might also like our DIY Parallette Tutorial!
19 Comments
I’m so excited to try to make these! Both girls are playing soccer this will be great!
So cute and so simple. I love it!
Thank you, Jenny! Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by!
I just tried your tutorial, and the headband turned out perfectly! Thanks for making directions that were easy to follow, with both pictures and written instructions. Nice work!
I’m so glad you were able to easily follow my instructions. I’d never posted a tutorial for a sewing project before so I was hoping it was good enough. I just love these headbands too! Enjoy!
Was wondering how well these headbands stay on the head, rather than slipping off and needing adjustments as one works out? I have an expensive headband that I love that does not move and absorbs moisture as well…. Does it stand up to that?
Hi Linda!
I have found that it depends on the material you use. I used the stretchy jersey material to make these and they stay on great. I tried to design them like the lululemon headbands so I think they work really well.
I just made one for my daughter and had to adjust the measurements a little since the material wasn’t stretchy – I just stretched the elastic out as far as it could go and cut the small cloth to that length instead – that way it can stretch to fit snugly on her head. It looks really pretty!
Did not fit guess my head is bigger. 🙁
Oh no! Maybe you could just create a new, longer elastic piece for it?
How did you decide on the lengths? I have a big head but can figure out proportion. I guess my real question is what size head should these fit? 🙂
Hey Erin! I think I have a pretty average sized head. If anything, mine might be a little bigger than average. I would try the standard size first and adjust the next time if needed.
I really like these and will give it a try! They are so pretty! I do, however, have a question: you say only have to purchase 6 inches and then you can make up to three headbands. I’m kind of lost on that. How does 6 inches make three headbands? When you have it laid out on your mat as shown above, it is 16 inches high and 10 1/2 inches wide for just one headband. Please clarify for me. Thank you
Love your instructions as well. Did you use a certain stitch when making these.
no, just the regular stitch!
I would LOVE to try these too! Although, I’m a bit stumped when you said you could get 3 headbands out of a 6” piece of fabric. Can you please clarify for me? Thank you .
Yes, these are so simple! I just mean cut 6″ wide. Typically fabric is 42 or so inches long.
Just to clarify, a cut of fabric is usually 42″ WIDE, so a 6″ LENGTH of 42″ WIDE fabric could make TWO 16″ WIDE headbands, with 10 inches left over for the elastic pieces. Be sure to cut the fabric along the WIDTH so it will stretch. I would recommend purchasing a quarter yard of fabric (9″) to give yourself some room for error.
Could this be made without the elastic piece, by folding or accordionig the body of the headband?