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Scrunchies are well and truly back! And with a summery twist. We’ve got two scrunchies for you to make, which were designed by the talented Anna Alicia! Choose from a sky blue fabric adorned with sweet summer strawberries or a mustard yellow fabric embellished with a fluffy bumblebee.
These adorable scrunchies are the perfect way for you, embroidery lovers, to get more familiar with the basics of sewing. These are very simple free embroidery projects that even beginners will be able to try. If you need some advice on embroidery or any of the stitches listed below, please visit our embroidery guide for beginners.
Once you are finished, you could keep them for yourself, or treat your friends and family to a set! They make cute gifts for sure. If you have spare fabric, why not use up some of your stash and make a whole set?
This scrunchie embroidery was designed by Anna Alicia and first appeared in Love Embroidery issue 13. Looking for similar projects? Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly inspiration and free patterns!
For other stitching help, try our embroidery stitch library.
You’ll also need the free embroidered scrunchie template.

Mark out a 10x45cm rectangle using a pencil on both fabrics. Then, using tailor’s chalk or an erasable pen, mark a 1cm seam allowance within the rectangle. Transfer the bee motif onto the yellow fabric and the strawberry motif onto the duck egg blue fabric using your preferred method.
Repeat your motifs evenly along the length of the rectangle but at different angles, leaving space between each motif. Mount your fabric into a hoop, ensuring it is taut, ready for stitching.

For the strawberry scrunchie, begin by stitching the main part of the strawberry using Long and Short Stitch in two strands of red. Add the tops using Lazy Daisy Stitch in two strands of green.

Work the seeds using French Knots in two strands of white. Scatter more French Knots around the background using three strands of white and wrapping the thread around the needle four times.

For the bee design, fill the bee’s body with stripes of Long and Short Stitch in two strands of either yellow, black or white. Add the antennae using Backstitch in one strand of black and the legs using Chain Stitch in two strands of black.
Sew the wings using Satin Stitch in two strands of white, with all the stitches coming to a point on the body. Scatter French Knots around the bees as you did for the strawberry design in step 3.

Press, then cut out along the outlines. Fold each of your strips in half, RS together, so that the long edges meet, and pin in place. Sew along the long edge, 1cm in. Turn through and press the end seams inward.

Add a safety pin to one end of a length of elastic and thread it through one of your fabric tubes. Scrunch up the fabric and tie the elastic in a double knot to hold it in place. Remove the safety pin and repeat with the other scrunchie. To finish, sew up the joins on both scrunchies using a slip stitch.

Embroidering a scrunchie is a quick, creative way to personalise an everyday accessory. With just a few stitches, you can turn a simple hair tie into something unique, colourful and completely handmade.
Learn straight stitch in this sun embroidery design, with felt appliqué and beadwork by Chloe Redfern.

Anna is a designer, maker and craft writer based in London. She is passionate about eco-ethical, handmade projects and creating unique makes that you will love forever. Find her latest designs over on Instagram @aalicialondon.
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