It’s Fashion Revolution week; a week of advocation, community and involvement in an industry that requires systematic change. I’m going to be posting every day on my Instagram this week, highlighting why we need to ask #whomademyclothes, book recommendations alongside ways to get involved with Fashion Revolution. Fashion should be fun and something that boosts one’s wellbeing which is why my first blog post of the week is not a hard-hitting essay on the importance of Fashion Revolution, but an activity that encapsulates the essence of the enjoyment we may and should seek out from what we wear.

The one hairband I don’t seem to ever lose is this: a scrunchie. Possibly because I’m more likely to tie up my hair with it than a hairband, or possibly because they’re just more stylish. Although it is much quicker to make one with a sewing machine, I wanted to do a make that meant you didn’t need one; as this can also be done by hand sewing and with materials you can find around the house.

materials needed:

• Fabric – I’m using leftover organic cotton for mine, however, it’s a great idea to make scrunchies out of old clothes, a tie or an old scarf
• tape
• pins
• elastic (I still have some old elastic, but I’ve linked to some eco-friendly elastic that you can also buy). If you don’t have any elastic, a hairband you already own is a great alternative
• safety pin
• needle / thread

method:

• Cut the fabric into a strip of 10cm wide by 50 cm long (I did it with an 8 cm strip in this post and #regrets as it is quite skinny).
• fold the fabric lengthwise so that it is inside out, pinning along the centre. Top tip: if the pins are horizontal then it doesn’t matter if you sew near/through them as they will not get stuck in the machine. (Also another tip is that if you have a steady hand, the pins may not be needed.)

• Sew a straight line down the edge of the fabric (I always sew 0.5ish cm from the edge and cut any excess if needed). I know in the photos I’m using a contrasting thread but I was mildly impatient and didn’t want to change to a colour that matched the fabric; using a matching colour will make it look more professional.

• Pull the long strip the right side out by attaching the safety pin to one side and pull it through the inside until it comes out the opposite end.
• cut a strip of elastic just bigger than your wrist so that you can tie it into a knot (I cut mine to 20cm).
• thread the elastic through the tube, making sure you hold onto the end so that one end is still outside.

• remove the pin and either sew the elastic together or tie into a knot.

• fold in the edges of the fabric to create an even seam and tuck one opening over the other. Pin to hold in place and sew across – joining the scrunchie up. Et voila!

Fashion Revolution has quite a few ‘how-to’ guides on their youtube channel, not just videos tutorials on how to mend a jumper or how to make a pom-pom, but also how to write a postcard to a policymaker or tell a fashion love story. There are also a lot of making workshops this week, on Instagram and Youtube, thanks to Fashion Open Studio and Fashion Revolution.

Fun fact: I used to make and sew scrunchies when I was in Year 8 and sold a few for £2 each, yet unfortunately, lacked the entrepreneurial skills (and a proper sewing machine at the time) to make it into a fully-fledged business. If you do make one let me know! I’d love to see.

lots of love, eleanor xx