We're Military Spouses. We're Runners. We're Stroller Warriors.
  Stroller Warriors Running Club
  • Home
  • About Us
    • How it all began
    • How it all continues
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • SW Testimonials
  • Chapters
    • How to join
    • Starting a Chapter
    • Coordinating an Existing Chapter
    • Coordinator lineage
  • Blog
    • Meet the Authors
  • Miles
    • Program History
    • RTW Chapter Videos
    • 2023 Wall of Fame
    • 2022 Wall of Fame
    • 2021 Wall of Fame
    • 2020 Wall of Fame
    • 2019 Wall of Fame
    • 2018 Wall of Fame
    • 2017 Wall of Fame
    • 2016 Wall of Fame
    • 2015 Wall of Fame
    • 2014 Wall of Fame
  • News
    • Videos
    • Awards
    • Photos
  • Gear
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Stocking Stuffers... Stroller Warrior Style!

12/8/2016

1 Comment

 
 ​Christmas is almost here, are you ready yet?! In case you are still searching for gift ideas, I have a great stocking stuffer idea for you that is sure to please!

My quest for the perfect headband intensified when I became a runner. I hated wispy flyaway hairs always in my face! However, I never could get headbands to stay on my head. Enter the perfect solution (what I’m about to teach you how to make!):
 
These headbands are perfect because of the velvet on the backside. The velvet grips and sticks to your hair –but without pulling any hair out!
 
What you need:
Sewing machine
Velvet ribbon
Decorative ribbon
3/8 inch elastic
Black thread for the bobbin
Spool of thread to match the decorative ribbon
 
For this tutorial I used 1.5 inch ribbon but you can use just about any size as long as both the velvet and decorative ribbons are the same size.
 
Step 1:
Cut 16 inches of velvet ribbon
Cut 16 inches of decorative ribbon
Cut 6 inches of elastic
Picture
 Step 2: 
Layer your materials so they are right sides together with the elastic between them. Which means you'll layer it so that it is: velvet side of ribbon up, elastic, decorative side of ribbon down. 
Picture
Step 3:
Make sure you have black bobbin thread in the bobbin case and a decorative color threaded on the top of your machine.

Step 4:
​Line the ribbons up so they match, let the elastic hang out about 1/4-1/2 of an inch. Sew forward, back, and then forward over all three to lock them together and in place. 
Picture
Step 5: 
​Flip the ribbons to the other side so they are now right, side out. The elastic and the ribbons should be pointing in opposite directions now. 
Picture
Time to switch your feet! Much like how trail shoes are better for trail running, and flip flops are better for beaches, your sewing machine also has certain feet that are best for the job. Most sewing machines come with these feet so look around before you rush out to buy something new. 

Step 6: 
Switch the foot on your machine to a guide foot. I have a few different types, any one will do. The one in the left of the photo you can use the dial to scoot the guiding edge in and out to a preferred distance. The one on the right has a pre-set distance from the needle that cannot be changed.
Picture
Step 7:
Adjust your stitch length a little longer. I usually set mine to a 3.

Step 8:
Using your guiding foot sew from the elastic side all of the way down the ribbon. Place the black velvet side down and the decorative side up. This will ensure the black bobbin thread goes on the black velvet side and the matching decorative thread will be on the top. Be sure to keep the two ribbons stacked on top of each other. Sew in a straight line down the right side.
Picture
Step 9:
Stop sewing about an inch and a half before the end of the ribbons and fold the bottom ribbon up about a half an inch, and the top ribbon down about a half an inch.
Picture
Step 10:
Once you've lined them up continue sewing off the end of the ribbons.
Picture
Now stop, per request of your Mini Warrior helper in order to take a photo of HER. 
Picture
Step 11: 
Using the guiding edge foot sew down the other side of the ribbon just like you did the first side.
Picture
Sometimes the ends that fray easily will try to poke out the sides. If this is happening to you, stop sewing and use a pin or a pair of small scisors to tuck them under the ribbon.
Picture
Like this. (Photo courtesy of my mini warrior!)
Picture
Step 12: 
Change your foot back to the regular foot you started with!
Picture
Step 13:
Take the end of the elastic and insert it in between the decorative and velvet ribbons about 1/2 of an inch.
Picture
Step 14:
Sew back and forth 5 times to lock the elastic and ribbons together. I usually use the white clear part of my foot as the guide for my seam allowance. I believe it is 1/4 an inch. You want to make sure you're hitting all of the layers to lock them together.
Picture
Step 15:
Sew the next side of the headband and go back and forth 5 times, making sure to sew through all of the layers.
Picture
Step 16:
Give a tug on both sides of the elastic to make sure they're secure.

Step 17:
Cut off the extra threads.
Picture
Picture
And go from THIS

To THIS!!
Picture
Oh wait, these were supposed to be stocking stuffers. Good thing these are easy to make. I can make someone else a different one! 

Please share your versions of the headbands with us. We'd love to see them! 

Happy Running!
​Kelly
1 Comment
Toni
12/8/2016 05:48:28 am

Yes! These are perfect! They last through labor & delivery too! love mine ❤️

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Meet the Authors

    Categories

    All
    Community Outreach
    DIY
    Duty Stations
    Founding Stories
    Gifts For Runners
    Inspiration
    Member Spotlight
    Races
    Running Tips
    Running With Your Dog
    Shoes
    Strength Training/Cross Training
    Stroller Warriors By The Numbers
    Trail Running
    Treadmill Running

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    RSS Feed

    Miles>>
Proudly created by Stroller Warriors®, a Registered Trademark