Lace-Trimmed Scrunchies Sewing Tutorial

Sewing scrunchies is an easy project for beginners, but you can also make scrunchies even fancier with the addition of lace. Try this easy Lace-Trimmed Scrunchies Tutorial next time you sew!

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Colorful handmade laced-trimmed scrunchies with the words, "Sew Scrunchies! Great Beginner Project"

After I made a tutorial on my step-by-step method for sewing scrunchies, I couldn’t stop with ideas for variations! I have several more ideas I will likely share soon, but these lace-trimmed scrunchies are the first.

Sewing sometimes may feel intimidating, because it seems like there are endless techniques to learn, fabrics to try…and er, mistakes to be made? Well, maybe we’ve all had to use a seam ripper on a few projects, but that’s just part of the sewing journey!

Luckily, there are plenty of easy sewing projects to try too. And these simple lace -trimmed scrunchies are one of them!

If you haven’t yet tried my tutorial for a plain fabric scrunchie, give that a try first. Making one only takes about 20 minutes or so and it’ll be a good practice run before adding in the lace detail.

Scrunchie sewn with linen and edged with a white pom-pom trim.

Scrunchies are back in style, and while big box retailers provide an abundance of styles to choose from, I actually prefer making my own. I can choose my fabrics, finish the seams neatly (with my favorite invisible stitch), and it’s a relaxing project to tackle while watching a show or listening to a podcast.

What You Need to Sew These Scrunchies

What kind of lace trim to use?

Cotton lace trim in a variety of widths works great for these scrunchies. I used a range from 3/8″ trim to a 1.5″ wide lace trim. I preferred the way the smaller trims ended up looking (especially the pom-pom trim), but you can experiment as you wish.

The lace trims I used here are mostly from Hobby Lobby, but a set of cotton lace trim like this one I’m linking to from Amazon is very similar.

Three lace-trimmed scrunchies on a wooden surface.

How to Make Lace-Trimmed Scrunchies

If you’d like to watch a video of how to make these scrunchies with lace trim, I’ve included my step-by-step scrunchie method in the video below. This is just for a plain fabric scrunchie, so if you choose to follow the video, you’ll want to add your lace as described in the instructions below and then follow the tutorial as normal.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos:

Prepare the Fabric

Cut a 3”x22” rectangle of your chosen fabric. Linen or cotton work great.

Cut a 22″ long piece of lace trim and place in the middle of the fabric strip on the right side. Pin if desired (I just sew slowly and hold it in place).

With your sewing machine, stitch down the middle of the trim (be sure to reverse stitch at each end to secure the stitching).

Sewing lace to a long rectangle of fabric to make a scrunchie.

Press the Edges

With the strip of fabric right side down, fold the short edges over about 3/8” and press.

Strips of fabric with trim sewn down the middle.

Note: Do not press if you are using a synthetic trim that might melt! If you are using cotton lace, you can press the edges of the scrunchie as usual to create a finished edge.

If you aren’t sure what you are using (or if you chose a polyester lace), then avoid ironing it as it could melt. Instead, just fold the fabric over at the edge and pin. When you sew the long seam those edges will be caught as well.

Stitch into a Tube & Turn Right Side Out

Fold the fabric right sides together the long way. Pin to secure.

Stitch down the seam with a ¼” seam allowance, being sure to reverse stitch at the beginning & end of seam to secure.

Step-by-step photos of how to sew a scrunchie and turn it right side out.

Attach a safety pin to the top of the tube and roll the top of the tube down into itself. Use the pin to keep turning the tube right side out.

I found that it helps to kind of roll the top of the tube down into the middle with your fingers, but after that, you can use the safety pin inside the tube to keep scrunching and moving the fabric down until the entire lace-trimmed scrunchie is turned out.

Four colorful scrunchies sewn and ready to be threaded with elastic.

Insert Elastic

Remove safety pin from tube and pin it into a 7.5” strip of ¼” elastic.

Step-by-step photos of how to sew a scrunchie with lace trim.

Insert pin into tube and scrunch over the elastic (hang onto the other end of the elastic so you don’t lose it in the tube).

Overlap elastic about ½”.

Use a zigzag stitch to sew the elastic together. I reverse stitch several times so it’s secure.

Note: You can also knot the elastic which I occasionally do as shown above. I’ve found it to be secure, but it’s up to you. Just be sure to tie a tight knot if you go that route.

Two Options to Finish Sewing the Scrunchie: First, the Super Easy Way

Like in my basic scrunchie tutorial, you can sew the scrunchie closed the “easy” way. This is a bit easier than the invisible ladder stitch (more professional-looking) method I’ll explain shortly, but they are both very doable.

Being sure the short edges of the scrunchies are still folded over inside the scrunchie (for a clean finish), overlap one scrunchie edge over the other about ½”. Make sure the lace edges stay tucked in too.

Place the scrunchie under the machine needle and stitch right across that overlap. Stitch near the edge so you catch the lace.

Stitching the final seam on a scrunchie with a sewing machine.

That’s the first option for seaming!

Demonstrating how to sew a very easy (but also fairly visible) seam on a scrunchie.

Finish Sewing a Professional Scrunchie: The Super Neat Way

Now, my FAVORITE way. Use a ladder stitch!

Using the ladder stitch to hand-sew a scrunchie closed.

For a super neat seam: bring the edges of the scrunchie together and hand-stitch around the entire circular opening using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch). I promise, the ladder stitch is easy to learn. This quick ladder stitch video will teach you everything you need to know!

It’s a little tricky to do this with the lace in the way, but don’t worry. It’s very hard to see mistakes in the lace. I used white trim for all of my scrunchies and I used white thread when I ladder-stitched (regardless of the fabric color).

Tip: We aren’t sewing through all the layers of fabric here if that makes sense. We’re simply sewing around the circular opening of the scrunchie and placing the stitches in the folded edge (made from pressing the short edges over in the beginning of the tutorial). 

The tube of the scrunchie is maintained, we are just closing the final seam. Versus the slightly easier method above where the scrunchie is sewn through the middle. Watch the video if you need help!

Tip: To keep the edges together, attach a safety pin near the seam to keep things secure while sewing.

Tip: To bury the knot when you’re done sewing, I knot the thread against the fabric as normal and then I insert the needle into the fabric right against that knot and pass the needle out of the scrunchie about a 1/2″ away from the knot, pulling the knot into the scrunchie as I pass the needle through.

All Done

And there you have it, you just sewed your own lace-trimmed scrunchies!

Yield: 1 scrunchie (3.5" diameter)

Lace-Trimmed Scrunchies Sewing Tutorial

Scrunchies sewn with lace-trimmed scrunchie tutorial.

Sewing scrunchies is an easy sewing project for beginners, but you can also make them even fancier with the addition of lace.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy-Medium

Materials

  • 3"x22" rectangle of fabric (woven cottons and linens are some of my favorites)
  • 7.5" of 1/4" elastic
  • thread
  • cotton lace trim in desired width (see notes)

Tools

  • safety pin
  • sewing pins or clips
  • iron and ironing board
  • sewing machine (you can also hand sew the scrunchies!)
  • hand sewing needle

Instructions

Prepare the Fabric

Cut a 3”x22” rectangle of fabric. Linen or cotton are great for beginners! Cut a 22" long piece of lace trim (see notes) and place in the middle of the fabric strip on the right side. Pin if desired (I just sew slowly and hold it in place).

With your sewing machine, stitch down the middle of the trim (be sure to reverse stitch at each end to secure the stitching).

Press the Edges

With the strip of fabric right side down, fold the short edges over about 3/8” and press. Remember, do not press if you are using a synthetic trim that might melt! You can instead just pin the fabric over and when you sew the long seam those edges will be caught as well.

Fold the fabric right sides together the long way. Pin.

Stitch into a Tube

Stitch down the seam with a ¼” seam allowance, being sure to reverse stitch at the beginning & end of seam to secure.

Turn the Tube Right Side Out

Attach a safety pin to the top of the tube and roll the top of the tube down into itself. Use the pin to keep turning the tube right side out. Depending on your lace, this might be a little bit harder than a plain fabric scrunchie.

I found that it helps to kind of roll the top of the tube down into the middle with your fingers, but after that, you can use the safety pin inside the tube to keep scrunching and moving the fabric down until the entire lace-trimmed scrunchie is turned out.

Insert Elastic

Remove safety pin from tube and pin it into a 7.5” strip of ¼” elastic.

Insert pin into tube and scrunch over the elastic (hang onto the other end of the elastic so you don’t lose it in the tube).

Overlap elastic about ½”.

Use a zigzag stitch to sew the elastic together. I reverse stitch several times so it’s secure.

Note: You can also knot the elastic which I occasionally do. I've found it to be secure, but it's up to you. Just be sure to tie a tight knot if you go that route.

Two Options to Finish Sewing the Scrunchie: First, the Super Easy Way

Like in my basic scrunchie tutorial, you can sew the scrunchie closed the "easy" way. This is a bit easier than the invisible ladder stitch (more professional-looking) method I'll explain shortly, but they are both very doable!

Being sure the short edges of the scrunchies are still folded over, overlap one scrunchie edge over the other about ½”. Make sure the lace edges stay tucked in too.

Place the scrunchie under the machine needle and stitch right across that overlap to close the scrunchie. Stitch near the edge so you catch the lace.

That’s the first option for seaming!

Or, the More Professional Way

Now, my preferred method. Try a ladder stitch!

For a super neat seam: bring the edges of the scrunchie together and hand-stitch around the entire circular opening using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch). I promise, the ladder stitch is easy to learn, and you will use it all the time. This quick ladder stitch video will teach you everything you need to know!

If you need a little help keeping the edges together you can attach a safety pin near the seam to keep things secure while you sew.

It's a little tricky to do this with the lace in the way, but don't worry. It's very hard to see mistakes in the lace. I used white trim for all of my scrunchies and I used white thread when I ladder-stitched (regardless of the fabric color).

Tip: You are not sewing through all the layers of fabric here. You will sew around the circular opening of the scrunchie placing your stitches in the fold made from pressing the short edges over in the beginning of the tutorial. The tube of the scrunchie is maintained, we are just closing the final seam. Versus the method above where the scrunchie is sewn through to finish it. Watch the video if you need help!

Tip: To bury the knot when you're done sewing, I knot the thread against the fabric as normal and then I insert the needle into the fabric right against that knot and pass the needle out of the scrunchie about a 1/2″ away from the knot, pulling the knot into the scrunchie as I pass the needle through.

All Done

And there you have it, you just sewed your own lace-trimmed scrunchie. Feel free to reach out if you have questions!

Notes

I used a range of cotton lace trim from a 3/8" trim to a 1.5" wide trim. I preferred the way the smaller trims ended up looking (especially the pom-pom trim), but you can experiment as you like!

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