Another Headband? So Soon?

Are you tired of my self portraits? (At least I haven't cut off my ear like some famous self-portraitist.)

I was heading to bed and I saw my hair in the mirror and I thought I better document it.  Cause I love this messy casual look.

My machine is on the kitchen table . . .

Which totally means that I can whip up quick projects.  I wish it had a permanent home, but I've already cried over that.

This morning I whipped up this headband.  I didn't use the Wonky Headband Tutorial.

I've seen these headbands on my uber-fashionable friends.

I thought I could whip one up.

I measured my head (a walloping 22 inches--is that big?)

Then I divided that measurement in two (11) and did my designing/cutting on the fold.  I added two inches for a knot (you see it ties in the bottom).  [I will mention this: two inches makes for a very tight knot.  But I think three inches would be too long of a tail.  So, if I make it again, I will stick with the two inches, but I would hate for you to be mad at me cause its hard to tie this together.  You have been warned.]

On the fold I measured 2 inches wide.  Four inches from the fold I measured 1 inch in the center (to get that cool narrowing effect). 

Then I cut two. (In other words, I layered the fabric so I only needed to cut once.)

If you look close, you can see that the edges are raw.  Put wrong sides together and stitch close to the edge.  I took some time to soften up the cut edge (and hide my lousy cutting skills)by pulling threads from the fabric.

Nothing rocket science or terribly original, but I love the casual look it gives, and having raw edges creates a softer headband.  There are no internal seams that are adding to the bulk.

And, it stayed on my wonky head ALL day.  It didn't give me a headache (firm headbands and tight headbands do that).  It could totally be reversible.

Have a happy day and sew a little.

ps this came from my stash.  I've had it for over 8 years.

Headband for Wonky Heads

Do you suffer from a wonky head?  Do you see all the fabulous headband fashion and wish you could take part?

Do you find your headbands creeping up?

I do, so I created this.

The headband for wonky heads.

You wear a ponytail at the base and it holds the headband in place.

Measure the ol' noggin.  Right where you would wear your headband.  Then add half an inch.

Cut a piece of ribbon that length.

Take a hair rubberband (I actually prefer the soft kind--I used it on the orange one and it holds better than the rigid one pictured).

Sew each end of your ribbon onto the rubberband using a quarter inch seam. (See below.)

   And you now have a headband that will stay on your head, held on by your ponytail.

 The tricky part is getting it on.

Start by putting the headband over your head and rest on your neck. (So in other words, put it on like a necklace.)

Gather your hair into a ponytail using the rubberband on the headband.

Then put the headband in place.

It takes some practice getting it right.

(And if you figure out a different way to put it on, share, share, share)

The orange one actually is fabric.  (Follow the same guidelines, just make a fabric headband with an extra half inch for sewing onto the rubberband.)

Here is an outtake.  Don't you LOVE little L sitting there staring at me like I'm an idiot? :)

Beach Spray for Hair



Crescent City, CA 2008*


Don't you love the way your hair feels after a day at the beach?


The other day I followed a link to a slide show with summer hair.  I'm currently growing my hair out after 5 years of short.  So I am in need of hair ideas.  This article kept talking about beach spray.  And the last sentence, after suggesting several that you could buy for a pretty penny, said my favorite words: Or you could make your own.

I love those words!!!  I live for those words!

I googled how to make it.  I found several recipes and decided to give 'er a try.  I just warmed up water (important for the salt to dissolve) and added sea salt until it tasted like the ocean.  Then I added a few drops of Lavender oil so it smells good.  Poured the mix into a spray bottle and I was set. (remember to shake well if you add oil)

In my house we have three different types of hair.  I have medium length, fine, with natural curl.  Little L has fine hair with no curl (but two whirls at the back, I kept it boy short for years cause of those crazy whirls).  Miss D has hair to die for.  Thick, long with just a bit of wave.

Here are the results on our different hair types:

(Maybe taking my own pics is worse than having D take them)

Look at the casual curl

This has a great messy look

We had to twist it.  If you have no curl, twist it.

Since taking these pics I've had lots of fun using my beach spray.  Its great to spritz at the roots to get some curl for a messy up-do or side pony. (Mine is still so short I can't do much.)

So, go out there and make your own day at the beach!

*My poor sweet kids have never been to a warm beach.  They only know the Northern Pacific.  Those beaches are cold, but still so fun.  Someday they will go to a beach you can actually swim at.  I wonder what their reaction will be.

Profeanna had a good question but blogger isn't letting me post comments. (Soooo irritating) So I am adding it here in hopes that she'll come back. :)

That is a good question. Unfortunately I was using a salt grinder andn I didn't pay attention to how much I put in. When it tastes less like good salt and more like bad salt (or until you gag) that might be a good indicator. I'll try a new mixture and measure before I add. Then I'll get back to you!



I'm linking this up to:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/

http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-add-yours-10/