Free Scrunchie Sewing Pattern in 4 Sizes: Mini, Regular, Large, and XL

If you’ve been searching for a reliable, easy-to-follow scrunchie sewing pattern that actually covers every size you might want to make, you’ve landed in the right place. This free pattern includes four sizes — mini, regular, large, and XL — so whether you’re making a delicate little accent piece for fine hair or a big, voluminous statement scrunchie, you have everything you need right here. No email signup required, no PDF to download. Just read through, grab your supplies, and start sewing.

Scrunchies are one of those magical beginner sewing projects that look impressive, make wonderful handmade gifts, and use up even the tiniest fabric scraps you’ve been hoarding. They come together quickly, they’re endlessly customizable, and once you’ve made a few, you’ll find it nearly impossible to stop. This guide walks you through every step of the process with clear measurements, helpful tips, and instructions for all four sizes.

Why Make Your Own Scrunchies?

Before we get into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why sewing your own scrunchies is so worth your time.

The first reason is fabric choice. Store-bought scrunchies are almost always made from a narrow range of fabrics — satin, velvet, or a generic jersey knit. When you make your own, you can use anything: Liberty of London cotton lawn, leftover silk from a dress, a scrap of quilting cotton you’ve had forever, vintage fabric, even upcycled clothing. The fabric choices are completely open to you.

The second reason is size variety. Most tutorials online cover only the “standard” scrunchie size, which is fine for medium-thickness hair but not ideal for everyone. Very fine hair looks better with a mini or a more snugly fitting regular size. Thick, curly, or natural hair often benefits from a large or XL scrunchie with more elastic and more fabric volume. This pattern gives you all four options.

The third reason is cost. Scrunchies are absurdly inexpensive to make. A quarter yard of fabric can yield four to six scrunchies depending on the size, and you only need a small length of elastic. If you’re sewing from scraps, the cost is essentially zero.

The fourth reason is gifting. Handmade scrunchies are one of those gifts that people actually use and love. A set of three or four coordinating scrunchies in someone’s favorite colors is thoughtful, practical, and beautifully personal.

Fabric and Supplies You’ll Need

For all four sizes, the supplies list is nearly identical. The only thing that changes between sizes is the cut length of the fabric and elastic.

Fabric: Almost any fabric works for scrunchies, but the best results come from lightweight to medium-weight wovens and knits. Cotton, satin, silk, chiffon, velvet, chambray, linen, and rayon are all excellent choices. Avoid very stiff or thick fabrics like denim or canvas for smaller sizes, though they can work beautifully for XL scrunchies.

Elastic: You’ll need ¼-inch (6mm) elastic for mini and regular sizes, and ⅜-inch (10mm) elastic for large and XL. You can use ½-inch elastic for the XL if you prefer more grip.

Thread: Matching or coordinating thread.

Sewing machine or needle for hand sewing: A machine makes this faster, but scrunchies can absolutely be hand sewn if you’re patient.

Safety pin or bodkin: For threading the elastic through the fabric tube.

Scissors or rotary cutter and mat.

Pins or clips.

Understanding the Four Sizes

Here’s a quick overview of what each size is designed for before you get into the cutting measurements.

Mini: The mini scrunchie is a small, dainty accent piece. It’s ideal for fine or thin hair as a single tie, or for thicker hair when used to add a decorative touch to a braid or ponytail alongside another hair tie. Mini scrunchies are also popular as bracelet-style accessories worn on the wrist. They look especially lovely in silks, satins, and printed cottons.

Regular: This is your everyday, go-to scrunchie size. It fits most hair types and thicknesses comfortably and holds a standard ponytail with ease. This is the size you’ll probably make the most of because it’s the most universally flattering and functional.

Large: The large scrunchie has extra fabric volume and a slightly larger elastic loop, making it ideal for medium to thick hair. It creates a fuller, puffier look on the wrist and in the hair, which is a style in itself. This size also works well for low buns and messy half-up styles.

XL: The XL scrunchie is designed for very thick, curly, coily, or natural hair that needs a bigger elastic loop to wrap comfortably. It can also double-wrap on medium hair for a super secure hold. The XL has the most dramatic, cloud-like puff of fabric and looks stunning in velvet or lightweight satin.

Cutting Measurements for All Four Sizes

All measurements are given as cut measurements, meaning the size you cut before sewing. Seam allowances of ¼ inch (6mm) are included in these measurements.

Mini Scrunchie:
Fabric strip: 3 inches wide × 18 inches long
Elastic: ¼-inch elastic, 7 inches long

Regular Scrunchie:
Fabric strip: 3.5 inches wide × 22 inches long
Elastic: ¼-inch elastic, 9 inches long

Large Scrunchie:
Fabric strip: 4 inches wide × 28 inches long
Elastic: ⅜-inch elastic, 10 inches long

XL Scrunchie:
Fabric strip: 4.5 inches wide × 35 inches long
Elastic: ⅜-inch or ½-inch elastic, 11 inches long

A note on fabric with stretch: If you’re using a knit fabric, you can reduce the length of your fabric strip slightly — by about 10 to 15 percent — because the fabric will stretch slightly as you work with it. For most sewers, especially beginners, sticking with the measurements above even for stretchy fabrics will give you a great result.

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions

These instructions are written for the regular size, but they apply to all four sizes. Simply use the measurements listed above for whichever size you’re making. All seam allowances are ¼ inch unless stated otherwise.

Step 1: Cut Your Fabric

Cut your fabric strip to the dimensions listed for your chosen size. If you’re using a printed fabric, consider how the print will look when the strip is folded and gathered. A small repeat or an all-over print usually works best. A directional print may look upside-down on one side of the scrunchie, which you can choose to embrace or avoid by using a non-directional fabric.

If you want extra fullness and puff, you can increase the length of the fabric strip by up to 50 percent. This creates a more gathered, luxurious look but requires the same elastic length.

Step 2: Fold and Sew the Long Seam

Fold your fabric strip in half lengthwise with the right sides together. The two long edges should be aligned. Pin or clip them together along the length of the strip.

Using your sewing machine, sew along the long open edge using a ¼-inch seam allowance. This creates a long fabric tube. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure it.

Press the seam allowance open if you can — it helps the tube look neater — but this isn’t strictly necessary for scrunchies since you’ll be turning the tube inside out in the next step.

Step 3: Turn the Tube Right Side Out

This is the step that trips up most beginners, but it’s actually easy once you know the trick.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the fabric tube, pushing the pin through just the end of the fabric so it’s securely anchored. Feed the safety pin back into the opening of the tube, pushing it through the inside of the tube as you gather the fabric over the pin. Keep pushing and scrunching the fabric until the pin emerges from the other end and you’ve turned the entire tube right side out.

Smooth the tube out so the seam runs along one edge or the back. For satin or silk fabrics, take your time here to avoid pulls or snags.

Step 4: Thread the Elastic

Cut your elastic to the correct length for your chosen size. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic. Insert the safety pin into one open end of the fabric tube and thread it all the way through the tube until it emerges from the other end.

Be careful not to lose the tail end of the elastic inside the tube as you work. You can prevent this by pinning or clipping the tail end of the elastic to the outside of the fabric before you start threading.

Once the elastic is threaded through and both ends are sticking out of the same end of the tube, overlap the two ends of the elastic by about ½ inch and sew them together securely. Sew back and forth over the overlap several times to create a strong join. You can do a simple straight stitch several times over the same spot, or a zigzag stitch if your machine has one.

Pull the joined elastic back into the tube.

Step 5: Join the Ends of the Fabric Tube

Now you need to close the scrunchie by sewing the two open ends of the fabric tube together.

Turn one raw end of the tube inside itself by about ¼ inch to create a neat fold. Tuck the other raw end of the tube inside this folded end. You want the two ends to overlap slightly so that when you sew them together, there are no raw edges visible.

Pin or clip them in place. Sew across the opening using a straight stitch, going over the seam a second time for durability. If you’re hand sewing, use a ladder stitch or slip stitch for a nearly invisible seam.

Give the finished scrunchie a gentle tug to make sure the seam is secure and the elastic is holding well. Adjust any gathering around the elastic so the fabric is distributed evenly, and you’re done.

Tips for Sewing With Different Fabrics

Satin and silk: These fabrics are beautiful for scrunchies but they’re slippery. Use fine pins and sew slowly. A walking foot or a slightly longer stitch length can help prevent puckering. Pressing with a low-heat iron helps the seams lie flat.

Velvet: Velvet scrunchies are one of the most popular styles, and for good reason — they look incredibly luxurious. Always sew velvet in the direction of the nap to prevent shifting. A walking foot is very helpful here. Avoid pressing velvet with a regular iron; instead, use a velvet board or simply finger-press.

Chiffon: Lightweight and floaty, chiffon makes gorgeous scrunchies with a soft, romantic look. The challenge is that it frays and shifts easily. Use sharp scissors, handle it gently, and consider using a French seam for a completely finished interior.

Cotton quilting fabric: This is the easiest fabric for beginners because it’s stable, easy to cut, and comes in thousands of prints. It presses beautifully and doesn’t slip around. If you’re new to sewing, start here.

Jersey knit: Stretchy knit fabrics like jersey or cotton spandex make very comfortable scrunchies that hold especially well in hair. Use a stretch stitch or a small zigzag stitch on your machine so the seam doesn’t pop when the scrunchie stretches. You can also reduce the elastic length slightly when working with stretch fabrics.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about making your own scrunchies is how easily you can customize them.

Bows and embellishments: Cut a small strip of matching or contrasting fabric (about 2 × 6 inches), fold it into a bow shape, and tack it to the scrunchie with a few hand stitches. This instantly elevates a simple scrunchie into something special.

Printed ribbon instead of fabric: Wide grosgrain or satin ribbon can be used in place of a fabric strip. It’s already finished on the edges, which means you skip the sewing of the long seam entirely. Simply sew the short ends together, thread the elastic through, and close the ends.

Mix-and-match panels: Cut two or more different fabrics in shorter lengths and sew them together end to end before folding and sewing the long seam. This creates a striped or patchwork effect that uses up the tiniest scraps and looks intentional and creative.

Lace overlay: Baste a strip of lace onto your fabric strip before sewing the tube, so the lace becomes part of the finished scrunchie. This works especially well with solid-colored satins or velvets.

Holiday and seasonal themes: Scrunchies are so quick to make that it’s easy to keep a rotation of seasonal fabrics. Halloween prints, Christmas plaids, spring florals, and summer stripes all make wonderful themed scrunchies that are fun to wear and even more fun to give.

How to Make a Scrunchie Set as a Gift

A set of handmade scrunchies is one of the most appreciated small gifts you can make. A few ideas for putting together a beautiful set:

Group three or four scrunchies by color family — all warm tones, all neutrals, all shades of blue — so they feel cohesive without being too matchy-matchy. Or choose a mix of sizes in the same fabric so the recipient gets variety in one coordinated palette.

Display them tied around a small piece of cardboard, or stacked on a ribbon tied in a bow. You can also package them inside a small drawstring pouch made from the same fabric.

Mixing sizes in a gift set is always a nice touch — perhaps one regular, one large, and one mini in coordinating prints. That way you’re giving the recipient options for different hair days and moods.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The fabric tube is too hard to turn right side out. This is usually because the tube is too narrow for your fingers. Try using a blunt pencil, a chopstick, or a loop turner tool to push the fabric through. For very narrow tubes like the mini size, a loop turner is genuinely the easiest method.

The elastic keeps getting lost inside the tube. Always pin or clip the tail end of the elastic to the outside of the fabric before you start threading. This simple step prevents the whole elastic from slipping into the tube.

The seam at the end looks messy. This is the trickiest part of the construction. Take your time folding the raw edges in before you sew. If hand sewing, a ladder stitch gives the cleanest result. If machine sewing, sewing slowly and using a zipper foot for precision can help a lot.

The scrunchie feels too tight or too loose. The elastic lengths given in this pattern are a starting point. Elastic stretch varies between brands and types, so don’t hesitate to adjust. For a tighter hold, shorten the elastic by half an inch. For a looser, more comfortable wear, lengthen it by half an inch.

The scrunchie doesn’t look full enough. Increase the length of your fabric strip. You can add up to half again the listed length for a more gathered, puffier result without changing anything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fabric do I need to make a full set in all four sizes? A half yard of fabric is more than enough for one scrunchie in each size, with fabric to spare. If you’re working from scraps, you need strips as short as 18 inches and as wide as 4.5 inches, so very small pieces work perfectly.

Can I sew these by hand without a machine? Yes. Use a small running stitch or backstitch for the long seam, and a ladder stitch or slip stitch to close the ends. Hand sewing takes longer but produces a lovely result, especially for gifts.

What’s the best fabric for beginners? Quilting cotton. It’s easy to work with, holds its shape, comes in wonderful prints, and presses beautifully. Once you’re comfortable with the construction, branch out into satin, velvet, and other fabrics.

Can children make these? With adult supervision, older children (ages 9 and up) can sew scrunchies with a basic sewing machine or even by hand. They’re an excellent first sewing project.

How do I wash handmade scrunchies? Most cotton scrunchies can go in the washing machine in a mesh laundry bag. Silk and satin scrunchies are best hand washed in cool water and air dried. Velvet scrunchies should be hand washed gently to preserve the nap.

Final Thoughts

Scrunchies are one of those rare sewing projects that hit every mark: they’re quick, inexpensive, endlessly customizable, and