The Fastest Way To Sew Scrunchies (To Sell at Craft Fairs)

If you want to be profitable selling scrunchies, you must find a way to decrease production costs. 

Getting your material costs down is one way, but speeding up production is just as important. 

 

The Fastest Scrunchie-Making Method

I’ve tested a few ways to sew scrunchies and timed myself.

I’ve found, using “The Burrito Method” is the fastest way to sew scrunchies.

Many makers avoid this method because it’s a little confusing at first. 

Using a hot dog and bun analogy is a little strange, but it makes the process easier to understand. 

I’m sharing my explanation of the method in the video and steps below:

 

How to sew a scrunchie using The Burrito Method

Sewing notes

• I use 1/4” seam allowance but you can adjust this based on the type of fabric you’re using.
• Backstitch at the start and finish of each seam.
• Adjust the fabric size and elastic length to your preference. For the size shown in the video, I’m using:
  • Fabric: 22” long by 5” wide
  • Elastic: 7” inches long
• Press your material first if needed to remove creases.

 

Step 1 – Sew ends

Place right sides of fabric together and stitch the ends so you have a loop.

 

Step 2 – Press seam

If you’re working with cotton, you can likely use your fingers to press the seam open. 

When working with a fabric like silk, you’ll need to use an iron to press the seam open.

Pressing is optional, but it will give your finished product a more professional look.

 

*Be sure to watch the video for steps 3 – 6 for a better understanding.

 

Step 3 – Make a “hot dog”

Place your fabric loop so the seam is on the bottom.

Fold the top layer of fabric in on itself so it creates a small tube or “hot dog”.

This keeps that layer of fabric out of the way as you start to sew the “bun”.

 

Step 4 – Make a “bun”

Now fold the bottom layer of fabric together so it wraps around the “hot dog” and creates a bun. Match the centre seam and top edges. 

 

Step 5 – Sew the top of the “bun” together

Start sewing the top of your bun together; making sure the “hot dog” is tucked into the bun and out of the way of your stitching. 

 

Step 6 – Slide the “hot dog” down

To continue sewing the top of the “bun” together, you’ll need to slide the material toward you.

With the presser foot and needle down:

• grab the outer layer of the fabric (i.e. the “bun”) with your left hand.
• grab the inner tube of fabric (i.e. the “hot dog”) with your right hand.

Hold the “bun” in place while pulling the “hot dog” toward you.

This will reposition your fabric so you can continue sewing the top of the “bun” together. 

Repeat this step until you get close to the start of your stitch.

 

Step 7 – Leave an opening

Stop sewing about 1.5” – 2” away from the start of your stitch. I use 3 fingers as a spacing guide.

 

Step 8 – Turn scrunchie tube right side out

Grab the “hot dog” through the opening and pull it out. You’ll now have the tube for your scrunchie.

 

Step 9 – Add elastic

Use a bodkin or safety pin to thread your elastic through the opening.

Hold onto the end of the elastic as you thread it through the tube, or pin it in place.

Once threaded through, tie the elastic ends together using a simple balloon knot. 

 

Step 10 – Close opening

Line up the edges of your opening and top-stitch as close to the edge as possible.

 

Other time-saving tips

There are many ways to speed up your production. Although these may seem insignificant, saving a few seconds with each step adds up to big savings when you’re sewing dozens, or even hundreds, of scrunchies.

Batch your work

Complete one step of the process at a time so you’re not changing workstations, tools, techniques, etc. 

For example, I will:

Cut all my fabric pieces, then move on to cutting all my elastic pieces. Then I’ll sew fabric ends together before starting the “hot dog and bun” step. I’ll snip threads after I’m done sewing all the scrunchies, instead of after sewing one scrunchie.

Even when you don’t need to change stations or tools, repeating the same step over and over creates efficiency. 

Use templates

Instead of measuring each piece of elastic, I’ll use a piece of cardboard that’s 7” long (and a few inches wide). Then I loop my elastic lengthwise around the piece of cardboard (being careful not to stretch the elastic while looping). 

When I cut the layers of elastic along the top edge and bottom edge of the cardboard, I have several pieces of 7” long elastic. 

Layer fabric when cutting

If you’re working with a slippery fabric, this may be harder to do. But when working with a material like cotton, you can fold your fabric so you’re cutting several scrunchie pieces at once.

Choose easy-to-work-with material

Silk scrunchies are popular, but silk is slippery and can be tough to work with. It may require pinning/clipping, which will slow down your production.

On the other hand, stiff material makes it harder to turn the fabric.

Sheer fabric may require an extra step of serging the edges before sewing; adding more time to your production. 

Consider how easy the material will be to work with before buying several yards of it.

I hope these tips help you speed up your scrunchie production and increase your profits. 

You may also be interested:

• How To Price Handmade Scrunchies To Sell
• How to Create a Scrunchie Collection
• How To Make a Scrunchie Display Stand (for under $25)