If you have tulle scraps lying around, you can make something cool out of them – tulle scrunchies! This is a cute accessory that can step up your ponytail or bun, whether it be for a special occasion or just to add glam to an everyday look. Here’s a quick and simple tutorial for how to sew your own tulle scrunchies.
Tulle fabric is most commonly used to make tulle skirts, and I have written a lot of tutorials on how to sew different patterns. Here are a few of my most popular posts: Simple tulle skirt in 10 easy steps / Tiered tulle skirt / Circle tulle skirt.
However, you can also make reusable produce bags with tulle, and scrunchies too!
These scrunchies are super fluffy and elegant. Mine are simple, but you can fill yours with small artificial flowers or colorful pompoms. I can definitely see these tulle scrunchies as cute little handmade gifts for girls for different occasions.
I made the black and blue scrunchies with soft tulle fabric, and the cream and light purple ones with mesh tulle.
In terms of sewing difficulty, soft tulle and mesh tulle are about the same, but don’t worry, I’ll provide tips on how to avoid puckered seams below.
Just don’t use for this project stiff netting, you don’t want that scratchy fabric to come into contact with your bare skin.
Related: How to make ruffled scrunchies / satin scrunchies / cotton scrunchies
My scrunchies are made from 25-30” x 4” strips of tulle, and approx. 6 inches of elastic.
Tulle scrunchies tutorial – sewing supplies
- soft tulle, mesh tulle
- sewing machine
- jersey/ballpoint needle
- sewing pins
- 1/8 inch elastic
- safety pins
- matching thread
DIY tulle scrunchies – step-by-step instructions
Step 1
First, cut a piece of tulle with your scissors or rotary cutter that is anywhere from 20 to 30 inches long and 4 inches wide.
You can increase or decrease the length of the tulle piece as you like, depending on how many folds you want your scrunchie to have.
For this scrunchie, I used a piece of tulle measuring 25” x 4”.
Step 2
Now, fold your tulle rectangle lengthwise and sew down the length of the tube. Use a narrow 1/4” seam allowance (or 3/8” if you are a beginner) to make a tube with two open ends.
Do not start stitching at the very edge or else your sewing machine may try to eat this lightweight fabric. Backstitch when you begin and end the tulle seam.
I successfully used a size 90/14 stretch needle to sew this mesh tulle fabric (other sizes also might work).
The size 70/10 jersey/ballpoint needle that worked fine for the soft tulle scrunchies simply refused to sew mesh tulle without skipping stitches.
Apparently, stretch needles are better for sewing very stretchy fabrics. However, it’s a good idea to test your stitches with both needles (jersey and stretch) on your fabric before starting your project.
Tulle can be a little tricky to sew – in this article, you’ll find my best tips for sewing tulle on your regular sewing machine.
Step 3
Turn the tube inside out. I usually take a safety pin, attach it to the seam allowance, then push it through the tube to the other side. Press your tulle tube with an iron set at the lowest temperature.
Step 4
Cut 6 inches of 1/8” elastic. Take one safety pin and secure the elastic at the end of the tulle tube. (Because you don’t want to lose the elastic into the tube.)
Then take another safety pin, attach it to the other end of the elastic and thread it through the tube.
Step 5
Tie the two ends of the elastic together. Of course, you can sew both ends of the elastic together, but the fastest way is to tie the elastic. After that, push the elastic back into the tube so the knot is hidden inside.
At this point, you can try the tulle scrunchie on your hair and see if it’s a good size for your hair. If it’s too big or small, adjust the elastic length accordingly.
Also, if you want to use pompoms or small flowers, now is the time to put them into your tube.
Step 6
Now, straighten the tulle fabric to make sure the seam is not twisted. The seam should be in the same position all the way around the scrunchie.
Fold one short end of tube 1/2″ toward the wrong side. Finally, let’s bring the tube edges together and finish this scrunchie. Put the raw end of the tube inside the folded end and overlap by 1/2″ so the inside raw edge is hidden.
Make sure the tulle seams line up and use one or two pins to secure the overlapped ends. Sew to close the gap. Again, backstitch at the beginning and at the end of the seam. I like to stop just before I reach the elastic – something I wouldn’t be comfortable doing with a cotton scrunchie, but tulle doesn’t fray, so it’s a safe bet.
Now puff and fluff your tulle scrunchie and you are done! This is such a satisfying and quick sew, am I right?
Did you find this tulle scrunchies tutorial helpful? I’d like to hear what you think of it! And I would love to see pictures if you give this easy and fun project a try.
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This is very informative