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. ✨

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.

MEASURING YOUR MAIN FABRIC PIECES

To determine the width of your top, measure your full bust and add 60cm. For the length, measure down from your high bust to the desired hem position. For a cropped top, aim for around 40cm in length, while for a longer top, target a length of about 50cm.

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 center width of the tube.

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

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

Check out my Scrunchie on Instagram reels. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.