This is the third blog in my stash busting series and this time I’m looking at trying to use up some pre-cut and left over fabrics from other projects.

Looking at my fabrics, I found some jelly roll strips and left over quilt binding which were collecting dust. The jelly rolls are (when cut correctly) 2.5″ wide, whereas I cut the fabric for my binding 2.25″ wide; for the hair scrunchies either will work! If you use fat quarters, I suggest you cut the strips 2.5″ wide. You should be able to get seven or so scrunchies from one FQ. Â
Materials:
- Fabric, 20″ to 22″ long and 2.25″ or 2.5″ wide
- Elastic, 10″ long (I used 6mm wide, but anything less than say 8mm will be fine)
Useful tools:
- Pair of scissors
- Large-ish safety pin
- Chop stick or special loop / tube / strap turner tool
- A pin
- Sewing machine and thread

Making the scrunchies:
- Fold the fabric lengthwise, right sides facing, and sew along the long side. I used a 1/4″ seam allowance but didn’t bother reversing at start or end).
- Turn inside out with the loop turner or a chop stick (see below)
- Insert elastic band. I secure the end with a pin, so the elastic doesn’t disappear inside the tube when pulling it through.

- Tie a knot. Make sure it’s secure!

- Wiggle the knot so it moves away an inch or so from the opening in the fabric
- Fold one end of the fabric to the inside to cover the raw edge. Insert the other end. Pin in place if you like.


- Sew a straight stitch to keep the two ends together. I usually go down, up and back down again before securing the thread.

- ‘Fluff’ the scrunchie so the fabric is evenly spread out over the elastic.
As they are super quick to make, you’ll have a bunch of them in no time!

Tip: Using a chop stick for turning
When I use a chop stick to turn the fabric, I usually sew a diagonal seam at one end (blue line in image below). This allows the chop stick to stay in place when I turn the fabric. When it’s turned over, I cut off the end.

My other stash busting ideas:
- Artwork display
- Odds & sods bag (the A4 bag)
 * I don’t cut my binding on the bias, but if you do, the scrunchies will be extra stretchy which will be super lovely!
Very clever and useful idea Nina, I’m going to make a few scrunchies for my girls
@ami11 Thank you. They are super quick and we never seem to have enough of them…