This self care essential is easy to make out of left over fabric to be cute and economical
With an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, it’s time to settle back in at home. There is no reason not to feel luxurious at home — pampering yourself can give you a mental health boost, which we all need right now.
When following the DIY facial directions from a few weeks ago, or simply going through your daily skincare routine, there are a few easy ways to keep hair out of your way.
Spa headbands and towel wraps are easy to make. Creating them can be a productive way to keep your hands busy while listening to podcasts (like those available for free on The Dominion Post website), and using them can add to feelings of relaxation. Plus they keep your hair from sticking to your forehead; win-win-win situation.
The first step is to pick materials to work with. This is a great project to use up scraps or upcycle fabrics. If you have some leftover terrycloth from the DIY bath robe project, incorporate that. Or just use an old T-shirt to keep it out of the landfill a little longer.
Terrycloth works well if you will use your spa headband mostly while your hair is wet. If you struggle with split ends or frizzy hair, using silk or another very smooth fabric can be a good option. Linen has a reputation for benefiting hair. Stretchy fabric works well for some styles of headband, but isn’t necessary for all.
For a very simple headband, use fabric with some stretch.
Cut a wide fabric rectangle, twice the width you want. The length should be a bit smaller than the circumference of your head (average for women is 21-23 inches and 22-24 inches for men).
Fold the fabric in half, long edges together, wrong side of the fabric out. Sew along the long edge, then turn the tube you’ve made right side out — it’s quick and easy if you attach a safety pin to one end, and then thread the pin through the tube and pull it out the other end.
Sew the shorter ends together, but to give your headband an extra flare, twist one end half way around before securing both together. This creates a möbius strip — a band or loop with only one side and one curve.
Another simple method for making a spa headband works better with non-stretch fabric. Cut out two rectangles of fabric with rounded edges. They should be length of the circumference of your head, plus four to six inches.
Sew them together all the way around, leaving a one inch gap. Turn the fabrics right side out, through the gap. Carefully iron flat, then top stitch a quarter inch from the edge. This creates a finished look and closes the gap you left on the first seam.
To close the headband, sew on velcro to matching side of each end, or sew onto one edge a loop from ribbon or thin elastic, and a button onto the corresponding side.
To combine drying your hair with keeping it off your face during skin care regiments, make a convenient towel wrap that will be less bulky than a regular towel, and stay in place better.
Terrycloth or an old towel work particularly well for this wrap. Fold the fabric in half, and cut out a curved shape, to look like half an egg or almond. The length should be about 23 inches, and the highest part of the curve should be roughly 10 inches.
Cutting so the straight side is along the finished edge (if using a towel) saves on having to finish the edge. If not using a towel, be sure to hem the edge so it doesn’t unravel.
Sew the curved edge together, attach a small loop to the end and a button at the front. Put it on like a hat, twist your hair in the tapered end and fold it up, securing the loop over the button.
Make both of these spa headbands and the towel wrap to use depending on what your relaxation requires on any occasion.
Stay home if you can, and do low cost, upcycling projects like this one.
Tweet @DominionPostWV
