DIY Wax Print Headwrap

Summer is all about ease and so when it comes to my hair during these hot months, the least amount of time spent fussing over it – the better. Enter the hair wrap. It has saved many straight-out-of-the-pool dos, camping-without-a-hairdryer coifs, and just about everything in between. We’ve always been smitten with Stella Jean‘s headwraps, knotted and sticking up so dramatically in bold African wax prints. And the all white headwraps at Giambattista Valli‘s couture presentation this week?! Amazing. With just some fabric, some trusty wire and some very basic sewing skills, I promise you’ll be living in these all season long!

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You’ll need:

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Start by cutting two pieces of fabric at 5 inches wide and 45 inches long, the width of a standard bolt of fabric. Then cut two pieces of wire between 5-6 inches each. Place one of the wire pieces along the middle of one of the strips of fabric, lengthwise and towards the very top.

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With a tight zig zag stitch, sew the wire onto the fabric. Repeat on the other end of the fabric strip.

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Layer the wired strip on top of the second strip, with the wired side facing down. Cut a point at each end. Don’t worry about getting them perfectly symmetrical – the more lopsided, the better! Pin the two strips together.

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Fold the strips in half and find the middle point. Measure 2 inches out and start sewing a straight stitch with a 1/4″ inseam. Once you get to a corner, make sure the needle in the down position and rotate the fabric so that edge is parallel to the foot.

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Press the foot down and continue to sew. Lift again to rotate at a corner.

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Press the foot down and continue to sew. Sew all the way around the strips until you reach 2 inches before the middle point – or 4 inches before the starting point.

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You’re left with a 4 inch opening. Reach inside and scrunch one side of the fabric down to the middle.

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Turn it inside out. Reach inside and pop out the corners with the tips of your fingers. Repeat on the other side.

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To close the gap, fold the edges in and pin them shut. Either sew them closed by hand or run it through the sewing machine with a 1/8″ inseam.

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Iron the entire strip flat. And your headwrap is ready to tie!

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Wear it with the knot on top . . .

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Or on the bottom! Try mixing patterns like African wax prints with gingham or plaid – à la Stella Jean.

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(images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

44 Comments

  1. Paulina wrote:

    Beautiful! I love the fabric, very West African. http://www.thepaarblog.com/

    7.9.14
    Reply
  2. Ambyr wrote:

    These are so cute. I saw one on someone the other day and thought- I should make one. Thanks for the DIY instructions. I also really like how you’re wearing it under the hat.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    7.9.14
    Reply
  3. LOVE wire head wraps. These are stunning!

    http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com

    7.9.14
    Reply
  4. Thanks for posting this. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.

    You rock!

    http://www.pearlsandpeacocks.com

    7.9.14
    Reply
  5. Namrata wrote:

    This looks so bohemian! Adore.

    Namrata
    http://seasoncheck.blogspot.com

    7.9.14
    Reply
  6. Nicole wrote:

    Love this tutorial!

    7.9.14
    Reply
  7. Rachelle wrote:

    This is so cool, great DIY.

    xo
    ​PinkSole​

    7.9.14
    Reply
  8. Love this! It’s so cute!

    7.9.14
    Reply
  9. Taiya wrote:

    This is so perfect – would look super cute in a red fabric with white polkadots! Def making myself one of these.

    7.9.14
    Reply
  10. Sabina B wrote:

    Such a cute detail! Well done!

    http://jeansandroses.blogspot.com/

    7.9.14
    Reply
  11. Shelley wrote:

    I love the wire in it. Makes it so much easier to position perfectly.
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthChildArt?ref=si_shop

    7.10.14
    Reply
  12. This is so cute! Love the african print as well!!

    7.10.14
    Reply
  13. Rebeca wrote:

    Great DIY I want try this, thanks for shared! I saw the link on the blog of Kenny 🙂

    http://www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

    7.10.14
    Reply
  14. Francisca wrote:

    Love it but didn’t really understood the instructions… You could make a video of it!

    7.10.14
    Reply
    • Kayla wrote:

      I battled to understand the instructions, too. I agree with the video idea. Also, metric conversions would be awesome! Xx

      2.10.19
  15. Francisca wrote:

    Love it but didn’t really understood the instructions… You could make a video of it!

    7.10.14
    Reply
  16. This is a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing it.

    7.11.14
    Reply
  17. It looks so cool!
    XO CHAMAFASHION
    http://www.chamafashion.com/

    7.11.14
    Reply
  18. Jenell wrote:

    Swoon! I can not WAIT to do this!

    7.14.14
    Reply
  19. kelly wrote:

    who are those tortoise shell sunglasses by? SO cute.

    7.17.14
    Reply
  20. kelly wrote:

    @Erica haha how did i know they were going to be Karen? She is amazing. Just confirms even more that I need to get a pair!!

    7.21.14
    Reply
  21. Celia wrote:

    I Love
    Magnifique, ça fait plaisir de voir le wax dans tout ces états
    Merci

    Célia Pale
    Designer
    http://www.tombasana.com/boutique

    9.8.14
    Reply
  22. Zen wrote:

    Love the boho look! Hence all the Isabel Marant DIY tutorials I post on my blog 😛

    10.8.14
    Reply
  23. Alexsandra wrote:

    You are an angel of all creative goodness, thank you for sharing, I am so happy I found you. In Appreciation, (School Marm to 160 twelve year olds everyday)

    12.21.19
    Reply
  24. Thanks for sharing such useful information! This head scarf wrap is designed to be versatile – wear as a scarf, top, head wrap, belt, or accessory on your handbag. The fabric is 100% silk, and it is printed and rolled in china.

    6.21.21
    Reply