a Scrunchie with a Hidden Hair Tie Step by Step
Scrunchies have made a serious comeback across Australia, popping up on the wrists of Bondi surfers and Melbourne uni students alike. The soft fabric, the gentle hold, the playful colours — there's something undeniably cheerful about a handmade scrunchie that a shop-bought version just can't match. Making your own also means you can coordinate with your footy team, your school uniform, or that new dress you picked up at the local Vinnies.
What sets this project apart is the secret pocket that hides a regular hair tie inside the gathered fabric. That hidden hair tie gives extra security for thick hair, active kids, or anyone who has ever had their scrunchie slide off mid-arvo at the beach. It's a clever twist on a classic that costs almost nothing to make.
Most supplies come from Spotlight, Lincraft, or the craft aisle at Kmart. A quick trip to Bunnings helps if you need buttons or strong thread. The total cost lands between three and eight Aussie dollars per scrunchie, depending on whether you raid your scrap basket or buy new fat quarters.
This is a genuinely beginner-friendly project. If you can sew a straight line on a sewing machine, you can pull this off in under thirty minutes. Hand-sewing works just as well if you prefer a slower, meditative approach on a quiet weekend morning.
| Fabric Type | Best For | Stretch | Durability | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Everyday wear | Low | High | Machine washable |
| Satin | Dressy looks | Medium | Medium | Hand wash |
| Velvet | Winter style | Low | High | Gentle cycle |
| Linen | Summer casual | Low | High | Machine washable |
| Silk | Luxury feel | Medium | Low | Hand wash only |
Gather Your Materials and Tools
Before you start, lay everything out on the kitchen table with a cuppa in hand. Nothing fancy needed — just the basics most Aussie households already have tucked away.
You'll need a fabric rectangle measuring roughly 45 cm by 12 cm. Old pillowcases, flannelette sheets, or remnants from previous projects all work beautifully. Elastic around 20 cm long and 1 cm wide is ideal — broad elastic feels gentler on hair. A regular hair tie goes inside the hidden pocket, along with a safety pin, scissors, and coordinating thread.
For the hidden pocket, you'll need a small square of lightweight fabric around 8 cm by 4 cm. This gets folded and stitched inside one end of the scrunchie tube, creating a sleeve where the spare hair tie sits snugly until needed.
Pick the Right Fabric and Elastic
Fabric choice shapes the personality of your finished scrunchie. Cotton is the easiest to work with and forgives small mistakes, which is why most tutorials recommend it for first-timers. It also breathes well during those hot January days when the mercury climbs past forty degrees.
Satin and silk feel gorgeous but demand more patience. They slide around under the presser foot, so pin generously and consider a walking foot. Velvet looks stunning in winter and holds its shape, but it can shed fibres that stick to everything.
Elastic width matters. Narrow elastic under 1 cm tends to dig into hair and snap faster. Broad elastic distributes pressure evenly and lasts longer, especially for kids. Most haberdashery shops in Australia sell elastic by the metre, so you can stock up for multiple scrunchies in one trip.
Cut and Prep Your Pattern Pieces
Lay your fabric flat with the right side facing down. Mark a rectangle 45 cm by 12 cm using a ruler or cutting mat. Cut along the lines with sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter for cleaner edges.
For the hidden pocket, cut a small rectangle 8 cm by 4 cm from contrasting fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together, sew along the long edge to make a little tube, then turn right-side out and press flat.
Fold your main fabric rectangle in half lengthwise with right sides together. Pin along the raw edge to hold everything in place before heading to the machine. Pre-wash your fabric if you plan to machine wash the finished scrunchie, since cotton can shrink on the first cycle.
Stitch the Tube and Thread the Elastic
Sew along the pinned raw edge with a 1 cm seam allowance, using a straight stitch. Backstitch at the start and end to lock the seam and create a long fabric tube. Turn the tube right-side out by feeding it through itself, or use a safety pin to pull it through. Once turned, press the tube flat with the seam running down the centre of one side.
Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic and feed it through the tube, gathering the fabric as you go. Once through, overlap the ends by 1 cm and stitch them with a zigzag. Pull the gathered fabric along the elastic until even, then stitch the tube ends together to close the circle.
Add the Hidden Hair Tie Pocket
This is where the magic happens. Position your small fabric tube inside one section of the scrunchie where you'd like the pocket to sit. Most people place it at the bottom or back so it doesn't show when worn.
Pin the pocket in place, making sure the opening faces outward so you can slip a hair tie in and out. Hand-stitch around the sides of the pocket to attach it inside the scrunchie, taking care not to catch the gathered outer fabric.
Slide a spare hair tie into the pocket and give it a gentle tug to confirm it sits securely. The hair tie should be easy to pull out when needed but tight enough not to fall out on its own.
This clever addition is handy for school kids, dancers, and anyone who needs a backup tie in their bag. If you enjoy sewing with practical home style, try to make a hanging herb garden from a wooden pallet — it's another rewarding weekend project.
Finish with Style and Personal Flair
Once the basic scrunchie is complete, you can leave it as is or add some finishing touches. A small fabric bow, decorative buttons, or a strip of ric-rac stitched along the seam adds personality without much extra effort.
Try mixing prints for a bold look — florals with stripes, or polka dots with gingham. Colour-blocking by sewing two different fabrics end-to-end before forming the tube creates a reversible scrunchie that looks like two accessories in one.
If making scrunchies as gifts, bundle a few coordinating colours together with a ribbon and handwritten tag. They make lovely party favours for birthdays, school presentations, or a casual "just because" present for a friend.
Care for Your Handmade Scrunchies
Looking after your scrunchies properly means they'll last for years. Wash them inside a small mesh laundry bag to prevent the elastic from tangling with other items or snagging on zippers.
Most cotton and linen scrunchies can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. Satin, silk, and velvet versions are better hand-washed in the sink with a tiny drop of mild detergent. Roll them in a towel to remove excess water, then air-dry flat.
Avoid the clothes dryer entirely — heat weakens elastic over time and can cause fabric to pill. Store your scrunchies in a drawer or a cute basket on the vanity. Many makers in Adelaide and Brisbane have started selling scrunchies at weekend markets, so a collection can quickly turn into a side hustle if the making bug really bites.
Time to give it a burl. Grab your fabric scraps this arvo, set up the sewing machine, and whip up a scrunchie or two before the sun goes down. Once you've nailed the basic version, experiment with seasonal prints and matching accessories for the whole family. The skills you pick up here will carry across dozens of other sewing projects, and your wardrobe will thank you.