Olive Puff Scrunchie

Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Sew a Scrunchie Without Using a Pattern

Whip up the perfect hair accessory in under 30 minutes! 🍃

The Olive Puff Scrunchie adds a soft, voluminous touch to any ponytail or bun - and it’s beginner-friendly too.

This stylish scrunchie is fully DIY and doesn’t require a pattern. Just a little fabric, some elastic, and a few simple stitches!

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to sew your own and give your hair a handmade hug. ✨

New to sewing? This project works beautifully alongside my Simple Sewing Guide

Remember to tag me in your beautiful creations on instagram @sewingwitholive

YOU WILL NEED:

• Fabric (30” x 6.5” / 76cm x 16.5cm)

• ¼” (6mm) Elastic – about 9” / 23cm

• Thread

• Pins

• Safety pin

• Scissors

NOTES

The seam allowance is 1cm throughout. I used a fabric strip measuring 30” x 6.5” — this gives the scrunchie a nice full "puff." If you prefer something more subtle or want to use thicker fabric, you can reduce the width slightly.

The elastic length I used is 9”, which works well for a comfortable hold. If you have thicker or thinner hair, feel free to adjust the elastic to suit you.

You can make this scrunchie from leftover fabric scraps - it doesn’t take much! Just make sure your fabric isn’t too stiff, or it won’t gather as nicely.

It’s always a good idea to test the elastic length before sewing it in - stretch it around your wrist or ponytail to check the fit.

CUTTING OUT

From your main fabric, cut:

Scrunchie Body: 1 rectangle — 76 x 16.5 cm (30” x 6.5”)

Cut your elastic:

Elastic: 1 piece — 23 cm (9”)

Step #1

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the right sides together (the pretty sides facing in).

Pin along the long edge and sew a 1cm seam, but leave 2cm unsewn at each end.

Step #2

Turn the fabric tube right side out so the seam is now on the inside.

Step #3

Fold the fabric tube so the short raw ends meet, right sides together.

Sew them with a 1cm seam to create a full circle (loop).

Step #4

Lay your fabric circle flat and find the centre width of the tube.

Mark a line down the middle, then mark lines 0.5cm on either side of that centre.

Sew two parallel lines 1cm apart around the entire loop to create a channel.

Leave a 1–2cm gap in the stitching so you can thread your elastic through.

ADDING THE ELASTIC

Step #1

Attach the elastic to a safety pin and thread it through the channel until it comes out the other end.

Step #2

Overlap the elastic ends by 1cm and sew or tie them together securely.

Step #3

Tuck the elastic inside, then sew the gap in the channel closed.

Adjust the fabric so it gathers evenly, and close the small opening from Step 2 on the side seam.

Take a look at my Olive Puff Scrunchie

You can watch a quick overview on my Instagram Reel - or head to YouTube for the full step-by-step tutorial, including a bonus section on how to add lace trim.👉 Watch the full tutorial on YouTube