Sew beautiful double-layered ruffled scrunchies

Looking to upgrade your hair accessories? Learn how to sew DIY double-layered ruffled scrunchies with this step-by-step tutorial. Unlike traditional fabric strip hair ties, this pattern uses circular cutting techniques to create high-volume, elegant ruffles.

These ruffled scrunchies make excellent handmade gifts, quick sewing projects, and profitable items for craft sales.

Related: Learn how to make cotton scrunchies / satin scrunchies / tulle scrunchies

What is a ruffled scrunchie?

A ruffled scrunchie is a fabric-covered elastic hair tie cut in circular layers rather than straight strips. This circular shape gives the hair tie continuous gathers, volume, and depth without adding heavy bulk around your hair bun or ponytail.

Best fabrics for ruffled scrunchies

Lightweight, fluid fabrics produce the best drape and ruffle movement. In contrast, heavy materials create bulk that makes gathering difficult.

Top fabric choices:

• Cotton voile and batiste: Easy to cut and sew, ideal for beginners.
• Chiffon and organza: Offer airy, sheer ruffles with high volume.
• Silk and satin: Gentle on hair, reduce friction breakage, and add a luxury finish.

Fabric dimensions and yield

• Child size: Requires a 23″ x 12″ fabric rectangle (yields two 12″ diameter circles).
• Adult size: Requires a 30″ x 14″ fabric rectangle (yields two 14″ diameter circles).

DIY ruffled scrunchie sewing supplies

Gather these tools before you start:

• Fabric: Lightweight woven (voile, chiffon, satin)
• Elastic: 1/4″ braided or knitted elastic
• Sewing essentials: machine, needles, matching thread, universal or microtex needle, scissors, sewing pins
• Safety pin: For threading elastic through the casing

Easy step-by step ruffled scrunchie tutorial

Step 1: Cut the fabric circles

1. Take your 23″ x 12″ fabric rectangle and fold it in half three times. This way, you will end up with an 8-layer fabric square measuring 5.5″ x 5.5″.
2. From the folded corner, measure a 3″ inner radius (the center hole) and add 2″ for the ruffle length.
3. Cut along both curved lines. Now unfold to reveal two identical donut-shaped fabric circles.

Note for adult size: Fold a 30″ x 14″ rectangle into a 7″ square. Measure a 4″ inner radius and a 2.5″ ruffle length.

Step 2: Hem the outer edges

Finish the outer edges of both fabric circles using a serger, a rolled hem foot, or a narrow zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

Step 3: Sew gathering stitches

Now set your sewing machine to a long basting stitch. Run a continuous stitch 1/8″ away from the inner raw edge of each circle.

Step 4: Gather the circles

Pull the bobbin threads on both circles evenly until the inner circumference opens to roughly 8″ across.

Step 5: Join the ruffle layers

1. Stack the two circles together with the right side of the bottom layer facing the wrong side of the top layer.
2. Next, stitch around the inner opening with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
3. Trim the seam allowance close to the stitching line to remove bulk.

Step 6: Create the French seam casing

1. Fold the joined circles so the right sides face each other and the seam sits directly along the outer edge.
2. Pin in place.
3. Sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance around the inner edge to enclose the raw edges, creating a clean casing. Leave a 1/2″ opening to insert the elastic.

Step 7: Insert the elastic and finish

1. Cut a 4.5″ piece of 1/4″ elastic for child sizing (or 6″ for adult sizing).
2. Now attach a safety pin to one end and thread it through the casing.
3. Overlap the elastic ends by 1/2″ and stitch securely with a zigzag stitch.
4. Finally, tuck the elastic inside and sew the casing gap closed.

Your double-layered DIY ruffled scrunchie is complete.

That’s all! I hope you enjoy making these cute ruffled scrunchies as much as I do!

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