By the My Textile Fabric Team — Los Angeles fabric wholesalers.
Part of our How to Choose Fabric for Sewing: A Beginner's Guide — start there for the full picture.
The best fabrics for hair scrunchies are easy to sew, don't fray much, and look great gathered: charmeuse satin, stretch charmeuse satin, panne velvet, and stretch velvet. Each gives a different look — silky shine, soft stretch, or plush texture — and all four sew up beautifully even for beginners.
Best Fabrics for Scrunchies, Ranked by Look
Charmeuse satin — the classic silky scrunchie
Charmeuse satin is a lightweight, soft satin with a beautiful sheen. It sews easily with a single needle or overlock machine and doesn't fray when cut, which makes it ideal for beginners. The finished scrunchie has that glossy, polished boutique look. Browse colors in our satin collection.
Stretch charmeuse — silkier with give
Stretch charmeuse (96% polyester / 4% spandex) stretches two ways, feeling even softer and silkier than classic charmeuse. The slight give makes the scrunchie gentler on hair and easier to wrap. Wonderful sheen, beginner-friendly, and the gathered ruffles sit extra full.
Panne velvet — textured and trendy
Panne velvet is a 100% polyester crushed velvet with mechanical stretch. It cuts and sews nicely with little fraying and finishes with a rich, light-catching texture. Note: panne can curl at the cut edge — use sharp scissors and cut on a flat table so strips stay straight.
Stretch velvet — plush and luxe
Stretch velvet is a soft, smooth polyester-spandex velour (58" wide) made for apparel and costumes. Unlike panne, it doesn't curl, but do cut it flat on a table to keep long strips straight. The plush pile makes the fullest, most luxurious scrunchies of the four. See more in our velvet collection.
Fabric Pairing Ideas
- Bridal party sets: charmeuse satin in wedding colors — classic and photogenic.
- Fall/winter sets: panne velvet in jewel tones — rich texture for the season.
- Gym-to-street sets: stretch charmeuse — silky look with athletic give.
- Luxe gift sets: stretch velvet mixed with satin — the boutique bundle.
How Much Fabric Do You Need?
Very little — that's the beauty of scrunchies. A standard scrunchie uses a strip roughly 20–24" long by 3–4" wide, plus 8–9" of elastic. One yard of 58–60" wide fabric yields well over a dozen scrunchies, making this one of the most profitable small sewing projects per yard. Buying a yard or two in several colors is the economical way to build inventory for gifts, craft fairs, or an Etsy shop.
Sewing Tips for Perfect Scrunchies
- Cut strips across the width for maximum yield; for stretch fabrics, cut so the stretch runs along the strip.
- Use 1/4"–3/8" braided elastic, about 8–9" per scrunchie, overlapped and securely stitched.
- French or enclosed seams keep satin scrunchies clean inside; a serged seam works for velvets.
- Turn with a loop turner or safety pin — satin turns like a dream; velvet needs a little patience.
- Topstitch or don't — edge-stitching adds polish on satin; skip it on velvet to preserve the pile.
Selling Scrunchies: Turning Yardage into Profit
Scrunchies are a classic first product for a handmade shop because the math is so friendly: a couple of yards of satin or velvet plus a bag of elastic becomes dozens of units. Price in sets of 3–5 rather than singles to raise average order value, photograph them on neutral backgrounds so the fabric's sheen reads true, and offer seasonal color drops (velvets for fall, pastels for spring) to drive repeat buyers. Consistent sizing and clean enclosed seams are what separate a $3 scrunchie from a $9 one.
Care
Polyester satin and velvet scrunchies are machine washable on gentle — they hold up far better than silk versions. Air dry to keep elastic snappy. All four fabrics are available by the yard with sample swatches if you want to feel the hand before you buy.
Keep Reading
- Recycled vs. Organic vs. Conventional Fabrics: What’s the Difference? — Head-to-head comparison — differences in look, feel, drape, and best uses.
- Performance Fabrics vs. Traditional Fabrics: Which Is Better for Modern Interiors? — Head-to-head comparison — differences in look, feel, drape, and best uses.
- Deadstock Fabric Explained: How to Find Unique Fabrics at Better Prices — related reading on this topic.