CHALLENGE NUMBER 2 ......How to make a turban / headband

 

OK, so this is challenge number 2.... perhaps a little later then initially planned. Our first challenge involved kaye creating an outfit around a top made by myself. This time kaye must sew a turban type head piece for herself using the DIY instructions below. 

We encourage anybody to have a go at making this piece... experienced sewer or not.... If you don't not have access to a sewing machine, hand sewing is also an good option (I used to sew by hand A LOT before I got my sewing machine. I still find myself reverting back to hand sewing at times). For information on sewing techniques (both with and without the machine) go to the Burdastyle learning section of the website.... otherwise youtube can be helpful. 

I must worn you that I definitely do not pretend to be an expert... so perhaps these dimensions/techniques won't work for you.But as you can see by the photos, it did fit my head.

What do you need?

* FABRIC - suitable for a headband. Kaye had previously mentioned that velvet is a good option as it is more likely to stay on your head. Though velvet can be difficult to work with (info sewing with velvet). You also need to consider the grain of the fabric. You need to make sure that the fabric has some stretch in it so that it can fit on your head. Test your fabric by finding the lengthwise grain (more information on grains here)

We need 2 rectangle shaped pieces of fabric measuring
Bigger section  - 22 inches (58.5 cm) x 10 inches (25.5 cm)
Perhaps measure your head first then use this measurement add 2 cms (on every side... this is the seam allowance).
Smaller section -  3.5 inches (9 cm) x 4.5 inches  (11.4 cm)
* Needle
* Thread
* Enthusiasm! Creativity (make one with a badge at the front instead or a bow!)

 1. I chose to buy a velvet top from a second hand store, Alexander Platz (Humana) 

2. Cut out the large rectangle (includes the 1 cm seam allowance)

3. Fold the right sides of your fabrics together and pin the top section (leave a 1 cm seam allowance... as shown in the photo). 

4. Sew straight across the top with a 1 cm seam allowance.

 5.  Turn your fabric inside out so that the right side is on the outside.

 5. Then make sure that the seam (which you just created) is facing upwards.

 6. Now we need to create the front section of the turban.

 7. Sew this smaller piece like the bigger version. 1. right sides together, 2. sew the seam 1 cm seam allowance. 3. turn the rights sides to the outside

 8.Bring the 2 ends together. You can either finish like the bigger section (e.g. sewing so that you don't see the seam). I chose to bring the edges together with a zig zag stitch. (If you don't want the small section to be so big on the finished headband sew a 1 cm seam or make take a cm or so off the initial small rectangle)

9. Now slip the small ring onto the head band. Make sure that the 2 seams on the 2 pieces are in alignment (we don't want to see any seams on the finished garment when it is on your head, so all seams need to be on the inside).

10. If you are happy with the width of the small section on the big section, you can bring the big ends together. Start by bringing the 2 seams together (so that we don't twist the garment) putting pins in with a 1 cm seam allowance. Work your way around until you are no longer able to continue (you will get to a point where you have a gap where you can not pin or sew.... we need to sew this section later).  Take out the initial pin that you put in (the one over the seam) so that you can continue further around. We want the seam section to be in the middle of where we hand sew.... this is the underside of the garment (aka the ugly seamed section... we want all of this to be in one area so that it is not visible when we wear the headband... I hope this makes sense???).

11. Now sew the pinned area with a 1 cm seam allowance. Then finish with a zig zag stitch on the end. 

  

12. Now pull the fabric to the outside, like shown here. You should have a small section left which we need to hand sew with a blind stitch. Before wearing make sure all of the seams are not visible. Pull them to the inner side.

Now you should have a new turban/headband to wear!

Let us know if you have made one. We would love to see it! Don't hesitate to ask questions. 

Good LUCK! Viel Spass!