Edit:
4/18/12 Triggered by a comment by Jessica S., I have discovered that
foldover elastic trim is the specific name of the elastic used for these hair ties. It's so much easier to find this trim once you have that name! Be sure that you get the ones that are
5/8 of an inch in width. And if there is any need for clarification, please feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them. I still use these almost everyday and they really are quite durable.
9/29/12 I posted a new tutorial for
Lace Twistband ties! Have a look.
~*~
I've been trying out the
twistband that came in my Birchbox and I really like it. However, it's sold 3 for $5 or $2 each if you want a custom color at the
twistband website. Then, while checking out what's new at the Sephora website, I came across
Ribbon Hair Ties and you get 8 for $8. I love the design, but it's a simple one and easy to achieve myself. So I went to my local fabric outlet and checked out their selection of elastic ribbon trim. I was able to purchase pink and purple elastic trim, a yard each for $0.50 per yard. Having attempted a few, I estimate that I could make a total of 10 hair ties for just $1. That's a whole lot of savings! And they look no different that the ones being sold for so much more.
Don't they look cute? The black one is the
twistband that was sent to me in my Birchbox, the rest are my efforts. The process is super easy and all you need is a ruler and a pair of fabric scissors or super sharp scissors. And of course, some elastic ribbon trim.
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| I used a pair of Singer scissors since my regular pair that I use for everything frayed the trim when I cut it. |
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| First. measure around 9 inches of elastic trim and cut it on a diagonal. |
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| Then fold the 9 inch piece in half so the ends are touching and tie a single knot near the two opened sides. |
I used a very long piece in the above picture so you could see what kind of knot I tied. In reality, there will be stretching of the elastic since the elastic will be much shorter. But don't worry, elastic trim is quite stretchy and durable.
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| When you tighten the knot, you should leave around 2 1/2 inches of trim below the knot and trim the ends in a diagonal as needed. |
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| Oh, don't forget to use the correct side of the elastic trim. The matte side should be on the inside when you fold it. |
Can you tell me where I can find this elastic ribbon? I have a Hancock and Joann store where I live but they don't carry it. I have Googled it several different (elastic trim, elastic ribbon, ribbon trim....)ways and can't find it anywhere! The closest I have come is at Joann and it only comes in a one inch width in black or white. I've been wanting to make my own since I saw them on the Today show almost a year ago but I can't find this ribbon stuff! Hope you can help! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello there! You are in luck. In trying to answer your question, I was able to find the specific name of this elastic. The elastic used for these hair ties is actually called, Fold Over Elastic Trim. I use the ones that are 5/8 inch width. Plus, according to the Joann website, they do sell prepackaged selections of it. However, these are one inch in width.
Deletehttp://www.joann.com/search/_foldover_elastic/
Or, you can also visit Ebay and Etsy! Typing in Fold Over Elastic game me lots of results.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=foldover+elastic&_sacat=0&_odkw=clear+cube&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
http://www.etsy.com/search?search_submit=&q=foldover+elastic+trim&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US
I hoped this was helpful.
Wonderful! Thanks so much!
DeleteThanks for posting this! I linked your tutorial to my blog! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://patchandwill.blogspot.com/2012/04/band-of-gold.html
I'm glad that the tutorial was helpful to you! I haven't used any other hair ties ever since making these and I find that they just last and last.
DeleteThis is fabulous...we love Twistbands, but I'm always needing a black one and why not just make a bunch?! I wear them over and over, but there's nothing like a brand new one and at this price...why not...at least a little more often!
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't feel so bad when I lose one of mine. It's such a cheap craft to make, but really practical. Plus, black foldover trim seems to always be in stock, at least at the fabric outlet I go to. Cheap and custom made, nothing better!
DeleteI, too, received a Twistband from BirchBox and fell in love. (I got one of the lace ones, which don't seem to be foldover elastic). I too balked at the price. I sent the Twistband website to my mother, who is an amazing sewer (she went to FIT), and she sent me to your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love that these don't make my head hurt, don't break my hair, and don't leave creases.
I love your how-to even MORE.
I'm so glad this post was useful to you! I love the quick style I get with these hair ties.
DeleteI've actually made a pair of black lace twistbands myself after this post. I was able to purchase a yard of lace foldover trim for $0.50. I wish I had other shades, but I buy from fabric outlet so I was lucky they had any at all.
Now I feel like I should make a new post on working with lace foldover trim. I have some left over and might be a good project to work on this weekend.
Love the tutorial! When I first saw the Twistbands, I was like, "This literally looks like a piece of tied elastic... I could make this for a fraction of the price..."
ReplyDeleteJust wasn't sure exactly what kind of elastic it was. This tutorial was a huge help. :) Definitely will look into the elastic ribbon trim on my next trip to JoAnns.
Do you treat the ends to prevent fraying? If so, how?
ReplyDeleteI don't do anything to treat the ends. So far, I've had no major fraying occur, but the ends do not look as sharp as when I first cut it, but they all still look cute. However, it's interesting to note that the black Twistband I got from my Birchbox has frayed the most and in a way I couldn't ignore, so I choose not to use it anymore.
DeleteI suppose it depends on your elastic.
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ReplyDeleteNice!
ReplyDelete