How to make a hair turban

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one turban)

• Main fabric (jersey, interlock or cotton) — about 60 × 30 cm (24 × 12 in)
• Flat elastic (2–2.5 cm / 1 in wide) — about 15 cm (6 in)
• Bodkin

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Hair turban” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter head circumference, finished width and the back elastic length. Presets cover child, adult and wide.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the band twice. On stretch fabric, run the direction of most stretch along the length.
2. Cut
   Cut two bands. Two different fabrics make the twist far more interesting.
3. Finish the edges
   Not needed — each band is sewn into a tube and turned.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the tubes

1. Fold one band right sides together lengthwise and sew the long edge, leaving both ends open.
2. Turn it right side out with a loop turner, or a safety pin pushed through.
3. Roll the seam to one edge with your fingers and press. Make the second band the same way.

4-2. Cross them at the front

1. Lay the two bands flat and cross them at the center, one passing over the other.
2. Pin the crossing and try it on to check how the twist sits — this is what gives the turban its shape.
3. Baste the crossing at both sides to hold it.

4-3. Attach the elastic

1. Bring the ends of both bands together and sew across them at one side.
2. Catch one end of the elastic in that seam, and the other end in the matching seam on the other side.
3. Wrap the raw seam in a small scrap of fabric (about 3 × 5 cm) so it does not sit against your head.

✏️ You can leave the crossing loose rather than basting it, and the twist will shift as you wear it. Baste it and the shape stays put through washing. Both are valid — decide which you want before you sew.

5. Tips & variations

• Use knit: non-stretch fabric puts all the strain on the elastic and it goes slack quickly.
• Two fabrics: a plain and a print makes the crossing read properly.
• Wide for skincare: a wider band holds a fringe back properly while you wash your face.