A few months ago, I was shopping at Anthropologie, flipping through their hair accessories table. I came across a pack of fold over elastic hair ties and almost had a heart attack when I saw that they were being sold at $10 for a pack of four. You guys, you can buy a yard of fold over elastic (FOE) for less than three bucks a yard online at Amazon
You need a yard of 5/8″ fold over elastic, a pair of scissors, and a ruler. FOE is getting super-cute lately (glitter!), so shop around. Annie loves the FOE with ruffles!
You make the hair ties and headbands exactly the same way, the only difference is how long you cut the elastic.
When you’re measuring the FOE, make sure it is slack – meaning, don’t pull it tight, or the measurements won’t be correct and you’ll end up with a tie or headband that is way too small.
Fold the FOE in half, lining up the cut edges, then tie a tight knot close to the end. You’re done! Look at that, you clever girl.
You can clip different things to the headbands if you want to make them extra-fancy.
These are the only headbands Annabel doesn’t complain about wearing.
I love them as ponytail ties because they hold the hair well, but slide right out without tangling the hair.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hunt down more glitter fold over elastic! That stuff is awesome.
Steph says:
Thanks for the tip! I, too, was shocked by how expensive these ties are at boutique shops my teenager loves to frequent.
Lisa says:
I love you. I can’t wait to make a bunch of these!
GreenInOC says:
Wow – I had no idea and I love no pulling out of my hair! I’m off to Amazon or Etsy to give this a shot, thanks!!
Mandy says:
Thanks! Stretchy headbands NEVER fit me! I’m SOOOO going to buy some of this and make myself some, and make my sisters & niece some for Christmas!!!
Amanda G. says:
I LOVE FOE! And I gotta share…I ordered Monday from : https://www.sunshineshoppesupply.com/ The most expensive one was $1.29/yd. I ended up ordering another 24 yds.
Colleen says:
Love, love, LOVE these! Where did you find the ruffle FOE?? Adorable!
Heather says:
Joann! I hadn’t seen it before, so I snatched it up!
Steph says:
Tonight my girls and I went to Joann’s and got ruffled FOE! Thanks again!
Nicole says:
AWESOME! I already ordered some FOE from an Etsy shop! I teach 4th grade and have a mustache themed classroom – I found some hot pink with black mustaches to make headbands for the girls in my class. I can’t wait. Thanks for sharing, the simple easy ideas (I loved the nail polish bobby pins too) are the BEST because I can follow through!
Dee says:
Heather, I make hair accessories for a living, and I have a tip for you! Before you tie your knot in the FOE, heat seal the ends with a lighter or candle and they won’t fray. If you use the bottom of the flame where it’s blue and not the top part that’s red it will help prevent discoloration/soot where it seals. This method can be done with with ribbon too! :o)
Heather says:
Wow, thanks for the tip! You just blew my mind!!!
Kate says:
The price of fold over elastic grab bags are really inexpensive on Etsy! This option gives you one-yard lengths of different colors so you don’t have to buy 5 yards of a singular color. I got 10 yards of differing colors for about $6 including shipping!
Heather says:
That’s awesome, do you have a link?
Kate says:
Yes ma’am! These specifically were shipped quickly, and I was very pleased with color choice She has a glitter listing as well!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/154858784/grab-bag-fold-over-elastic-5-yards-58?ref=cat_gallery_24
Heather says:
Awesome! I just ordered this listing, and 5yds of the rainbow!
Gwen says:
This Etsy shop sells glitter elastic and printed fold over elastic! https://www.etsy.com/listing/125846341/glitter-elastic-58-inch-10-yd-lot-mix? https://www.etsy.com/listing/152417079/printed-fold-over-elastic-20-yds-of-58?ref=shop_home_active_5
Heather says:
Those are awesome!
Jodie says:
Thankyou so much for sharing xx I love the ruffled foe, but I’m having so much trouble trying to find it. I’m in Australia but I’ve been looking on aliexpress. If anyone knows a store number or name can you please let me know. Thankyou and god bless xx
Belinda says:
Heather thank you for the inspiration!!
Hi Jodie, I’m in Australia too, whilst FOE can be found here, ruffled isn’t easy to find…but I found some!! Check out this site: http://www.wholesalehairclips.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32_37
Happy shopping!!
Krista says:
I have over 200 prints of FOE foldover elastics at my online shop Enchanted Elastics. I’m bringing in lace elastic soon as well. Me and my girls are addicted to hair ties! Love the ruffle lace you used in your tutorial! Cute cute!
Kim says:
Must thank you for this post. I can barely write my own name, (I may or may not be 32 years old) but aspire and so very much want to be crafty. I made these!!! And since I went a tad crazy ordering elastic in Etsy, I made some for the cute kids of my co-workers. And they love them too!
Lena says:
I must have very thick hair – I need about 20-25cm of elastic! My friends with thinner hair will be getting my smaller ones. Thanks for this tutorial!