How to Size a Baby Headband
Properly sizing a baby headband is the basic starting block of creating baby headbands. It’s possibly the most important step. It’s also a bigger process than just making sure the headband can wrap around baby’s head.
The first issue in sizing a baby headband is comfort. The little darling in your arms cannot tell you if the headband is uncomfortable, pinches her head, irritates her, or is too tight. The only clue she can give you is a glassy eyed look and a good loud cry. There are other clues you can watch for however. The biggest is the ugly red indentations that are left behind when you remove a tight, uncomfortable headband. Poor baby! That was obviously uncomfortable! I noticed them on my babies almost every time I used a store-purchased headband. It’s almost impossible to create a one-size-fits-all headband. Almost impossible unless you use the right materials, and then you can come pretty close.
The second big issue in sizing a baby headband is how well it will stay in place. A good baby headband with lots of stretch (very important) will fit snugly around baby’s head, and while causing no discomfort, stay properly in place. If a headband is a bit too big, it will slip up the back of her head and eventually fall off into her face. Or it will loosen as baby turns her head from side to side as she sits back against a carrier or seat. She then notices something is there, and turns her head more quickly. Pretty soon you will find it twisted around funny or off to the side of her head. Or, you’re driving down the road and hear baby start to whimper and cry. You pull over to check on her and find her headband down over her eyes! Who turned out the lights?! (This one may be unavoidable as soon as baby can reach up, grab that pretty bow on top of her head, and give it a fun little yank!)
To accurately determine the correct size of headband for your baby do the following:
- Measure the circumference of baby’s head.
- Subtract one inch from circumference.
That should be the size of the headband your baby is wearing if it is has low to medium stretch. On a side note, the less stretchy the headband, the more important it is to be made from comfortable material, as it will fit tightly with very little give.
If the headband is made from very stretchy materials, it can be 2” smaller than baby’s head.
A good way to check the “stretchiness” of a headband is to measure the circumference, then grasp the opposing sides of the headband and give it a good pull. How far will it stretch? After releasing the headband, does it snap right back, or did it stretch out some? Be careful doing this with a Nylon headband. While they are excellent stretchers, they do not stretch back all the way. No need to ruin a good headband with a test.
My favorite “stretchy” headband is the Cotton-Lycra Microfiber headband. It is the champion of stretch. The fabric is so soft, it is absolutely luxurious. After “stretching it out” very hard, it grows 2” in circumference! That is so nice for a growing baby! It also holds its stretch very well. After laundering the headband, it will go back to its original size and still look new.
If you have created a braided Cotton-Lycra Microfiber headband, it will also stretch a great deal. Be aware that if you give it a good “stretch-out” it may not stretch back as nicely. It is more delicate than the nice wide original headband.
The time you spend sizing baby headbands will be surprisingly short, and very valuable to your precious little dolly. Because she really isn’t a dolly at all!
Different Styles of Baby Headbands
When I decided to start making baby headbands for my most recent daughter, I packed her up and we went shopping. We hit Michael’s and Hobby Lobby hard. I came home with a haul of ribbon. The problem was, I wasn’t sure what to do with all of it! I sat in the middle of a gorgeous pile of ribbons and started to experiment. Was there a better, more efficient (and maybe less expensive) way to create custom baby headbands? Yes! It just involves a little bit of education and planning.
If you want to learn to create your own baby headbands and bows, this is a great place to start.
First lesson: a broad overview of what kind of headbands are available to create. I’ve grouped the pretty little things into 5 main categories: Nylon, Cotton-Lycra Microfiber, Ribbon, Braided Cotton-Lycra Microfiber and Ribbon Weave.
1: Nylon – This is a very popular, easy and simple headband. It’s great because it fits for a long time; it easily stretches around baby’s growing head. The downside is it’s made of nylon and may snag easily. Color choices are a bit limited to the color of nylons available in stores. You can find more choices online.
2: Cotton-Lycra Microfiber – This is a great solution to Nylon’s downside. The Microfiber is thick and soft. It also stretches (luxuriously) around baby’s growing head, perhaps even better than Nylon because it stretches back to its original size. It doesn’t snag easily, and there are many more color choices available. It can also be used to keep baby’s ears warm during cold seasons. (So useful!) The downside to Microfiber is its size. It may not lay nicely on Baby’s head, or stay in place if Baby has a nice full head of hair. It really looks best on bald babies.
3: Ribbon – This headband is very easy to make. It doesn’t use a lot of ribbon, and it’s very quick. You can use almost any kind of ribbon or trim. The disadvantage of a ribbon headband would be that it doesn’t stretch as well as the Nylon or Microfiber headbands. It does need to be sized more carefully.
4: Braided Cotton-Lycra Microfiber – This adorable little headband is very dainty, yet durable and stretchy. The advantages of braiding the microfiber are: using up to three colors in one headband, and creating rich detail. Not a difficult headband to make and lots of fun to create. This is a great headband for babies with lots of hair.
5: Ribbon Weave Headband – A simple pattern is used to weave the ribbon. This enjoyable method can be used with different widths and kinds of ribbon, as well as some trims. If made with narrow ribbon, the result is a narrower headband. Another great headband for babies blessed with hair. A little patience is required. The end result is a beautiful detail rich headband.
So which headband is the best? Umm, my baby has a few of each.
Beginning Baby Headband Creators may wish to start with the easiest: the Ribbon Headband, then move to the Nylon Headband. From there I would definitely make the Cotton-Lycra Microfiber Headband (it really is my favorite – my baby was bald for quite a while!) and then try the Braided Microfiber and Ribbon Weave Headbands. You will find that as baby grows, and grows more hair, different kinds of headbands will work best for you and your baby. Definitely don’t stop at one style. It’s too much fun trying them all! After all – variety is the spice of life, especially if it is a new one!
