Sweaty bands knock off Olympics style!

Just in case you missed my guest post over at My Yellow Sandbox, here it is.  An update on the sweaty bands knock offs with an Olympics twist!

  I know the Olympics were a few months ago, but like you, I was glued to the TV amazed at all of the athletes participating.  One athlete, in particular, caught my eye. It was US pole vaulter Jennifer Suhr. While Jennifer was amazing in her talents, what actually drew my attention was the little headband she wore. Let's take a closer look. See that shimmery sparkle? That my friend is a sweaty band. Know why it caught my eye?

source

Because I have been working out with my own version of the sweaty bands, that I like to call hot mess headbands for the past two years.

I loved the idea of a non slip headband, and while at a running expo before my first half marathon, I picked one of the original sweaty bands up.  I was running and doing group fitness classes and would have to be bothered during my workout to either retrieve the {so called} non-slip headband off of the pavement behind me, or readjust the headband I was wearing while still trying to maintain my workout.

However, my jaw dropped at the price tag...$16!

Holy cow!

It didn't take me long to talk myself out of the purchase and like any true crafter or diy'er, I said to myself

"I can make that!"

And now my friends, you can too!

While this tutorial isn't new on my blog {holy craft}, I am updating it for Abby's readers to replicate the headband that we saw at the Olympics on Jennifer Suhr.

You will need:

14 1/2"  of velvet ribbon-5/8 inch thick {velvet is the secret to no slip headbands!}

15" of grosgrain or sparkle ribbon {7/8 inch thick}

6.5" of 3/8" wide elastic {I used black}

Cut your ribbon and elastic down to size.

Step 1: light a candle and singe the ends of the ribbons (no need to do this to the elastic).  Be careful!  Some ribbon does catch on fire.  However, most ribbon will just harden on the ends.  That is what you want.

Step 2: place your sparkle ribbon flat with sparkle side down, lay your velvet ribbon on top with the velvet side up (wrong sides of your ribbons together) and gently wedge the elastic ribbon between the two ribbons ON ONE SIDE only!

Step 3: Begin by sewing the elastic into place.  I use my back stitch several times to make sure the elastic doesn't pull out of the ribbon when you are using it.

Step 4: Sew all the way down the length of the ribbon.  Stop at the end before turning to the final short end.

Step 5: Carefully take the open end of your elastic making sure it doesn't get twisted, and squeeze the elastic between your ribbon and velvet, carefully sewing that end down, back stitching again to keep the elastic in place.

Once you have your elastic in place, sew up the length of the other side and then clip your loose ends.

That's it!

It literally takes about five minutes to sew these headbands.

This is my collection of hot mess headbands that I wear personally.

I have long layered hair and the non slip headbands keep my fly aways in check, but the best part is, my headband doesn't move once during my workout, no matter how hard I'm working!

 Pretty sure I'm ready to go tackle the world

{or maybe just the stair climber at the gym}

with my new, special Olympian approved sparkle non slip headbands!

Don't believe me? Make one yourself. I dare you to make your headband slip during your workout!