Got fabric scraps piling up? Perfect.

Scrunchies are a great way to rid yourself of scraps without feeling guilty about it. Plus, they don't take much time with this super simple, but satisfying method.

This tutorial walks you through the burrito method: a clever little sewing hack that pops up in all kinds of projects. It gives you that neat, seamless look without the headache – and yes, it’s totally beginner-friendly. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you ever made scrunchies any other way. Let’s get into it.

What you’ll need:

• Fabric strip: 70cm x 12cm (28" x 5")
• Braided elastic: 20cm (8") long x 12mm (1/2") wide.
• Matching thread
• A safety pin (for threading the elastic through).
• The usual suspects: scissors, pins, sewing machine, iron.

 

Step 1:

Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew across the end.

Step 2: 

Arrange the fabric so the seam is sitting in the middle.

Step 3:

Fold the top and bottom edges into the center.

Step 4:

Bring the bottom edge to meet the top edge, encasing the seam (and creating a burrito!!)

Step 5:

Sew along the entire length of the fabric, starting from the center. Keep pulling the fabric out as you sew.

Step 6:

Leave a 3cm (1") gap.

Step 7:

Turn the fabric tube right side out, and press flat.

Step 8:

Hook a safety pin through the end of the elastic and thread it through the scrunchie tube. Pull both ends of the elastic out of the gap.

Step 9:

Overlap the ends and secure with a couple of rows of zig-zag stitch.

Step 10:

Sew up the gap.

Step 11:

You're done!

 

That’s a wrap! Scrunchie complete, and the burrito method unlocked. Fair warning though: sewing scrunchies is addictive.

We’d love to see yours, so tag us over on Instagram or TikTok if you used this tutorial, and follow for more.