How to Make Easy Faux Leather Headbands | DIY Tutorial
How to Make a Faux Leather Headband (So Easy + No Sewing Machine Required!)
If you love the look of those trendy faux leather headbands from boutiques but don’t love the $18 price tag, you are going to be obsessed with this DIY.
This faux leather headband looks polished, modern, and stylish — but it’s actually one of the easiest projects you can make with a scrap faux leather piece. No complicated pattern. No tricky sewing. And you can make one in about 10 minutes!
The secret? We’re using a simple rectangle of faux leather that runs from behind one ear, over the top of the head, and down past the other ear. Then we attach elastic underneath the hair so the headband is comfortable, stretchy, and fits perfectly.
This is a great beginner project, a fantastic craft fair item, and an easy handmade gift idea.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Faux leather roll (I love these ones >> 12X53 Leather Sheet Rolls)
- ¼” or ⅜” elastic (I bought THIS ONE at Walmart)
- Sharp scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Clothespins (optional, but helpful)
- Our template! (enter your email in the box below and it will be instantly delivered to your inbox)
Step 1: Cut Your Faux Leather Headband
Our headband is about 18″ long and 2″ wide.
Place the template on the leather (the template is HALF THE HEADBAND!), trace, then flip it over to trace the other half.
This piece will go from behind one ear, over the top of the head, to behind the other ear.
If you’re making these for kids, the template will need to be printed smaller. For adults, 18 inches is usually perfect.
You can also make them thinner for a delicate headband or wider for more of a statement look.
⬇️ :: PIN IT FOR LATER! :: ⬇️
Step 2: Cut Your Elastic
Cut a piece of elastic:
- Length: 6 inches, unless you’re resizing it smaller for kids.
This is the part that will sit underneath the hair at the back of the head. The elastic is what makes the headband stretchy and comfortable without squeezing your head.
Step 3: Attach the Elastic to the Faux Leather
- Slit the faux leather as shown. Try not to slit it wider than your elastic is.
- Place one end of the elastic into the slit, going in from the right side.
- Flip it over and add hot glue, then fold the elastic on to itself as shown.
- Press firmly (use clothespins if needed) until set.
- Repeat on the other side with the other end of the elastic.
TIP: Make sure the faux leather isn’t twisted before attaching the second side.
That’s it — your headband shape is done!
Feel free to add embellishments with hot glue – mini hair bows for little girls or other types of hair accessories that would fit your style.
Step 4: Wear It the Right Way
Place the faux leather portion over the top of your head like a normal headband.
The elastic should sit at the back of your head under your hair, so all you see is the faux leather across the top. It gives that clean, boutique look without any bulky plastic headband underneath.
Why This Headband Is So Comfortable
Traditional headbands press behind your ears and can give you a headache by the end of the day. This design doesn’t do that.
Because the elastic is at the back:
- There’s no pressure behind your ears
- It adjusts to your head size
- It stays in place all day
- It works great for thick, thin, curly, or straight hair
Tips for the Best Faux Leather Headbands
- Use textured faux leather for a high-end look
- Try metallics for holidays
- Add a small knot in the center before attaching elastic for a trendy twist style
- These sell incredibly well at craft fairs and in Etsy shops
- They make amazing stocking stuffers and teacher gifts
You can make a whole stack of these in different colors in under an hour.
This Is the Perfect Scrap Faux Leather Project
If you use a Cricut and always have leftover faux leather pieces that feel too small to use — this is the project for them. Even narrow scraps work beautifully.
Simple. Fast. Professional-looking. And completely beginner-friendly.
Once you make one, you’ll start looking at every scrap of faux leather as a headband waiting to happen.
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