A charming turban is easy to make as long as you have some basic sewing knowledge. Traditional style turbans cover the top of the head as well as the sides, while modern turbans cover only the forehead, nape and sides of the head, leaving the top exposed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Traditional Square Turban
Step 1. Cut a large square of fabric
Measure a square that is 93.98 by 93.98 cm. Mark these measurements using chalk or pencil and carefully cut the lines along.
- Make sure the edge is straight before measuring and cutting your fabric.
- Choose a double-faced fabric for the best result, because after wrapping the turban both sides may be visible.
- Choose a fabric that is soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to hold together after being wrapped. It also needs to have decent traction, so it doesn't slip out of your head. Cotton is fine, as are velvet and fleece. Satin, silk and other smooth materials should be avoided.
Step 2. Hem the perimeter
Fold 1.25 cm of fabric along all four sides of the square. Pin in place, then sew each hem to keep the material from unfolding.
- A hem is important because it prevents the fabric from fraying. You may have the option to skip the hems, however, if you use a lint-free fabric (such as fleece) or if you cut the edges with zigzag scissors. Alternatively, you could also use liquid anti-lint spray to minimize the risk without sewing a hem.
- Sew the hem using the straight stitch of a sewing machine. If you sew by hand, backstitch.
Step 3. Wrap the turban around your head
Fold the square in half and wrap it around all sides of your head, including the top. This step completes your project.
- Fold the turban along the diagonal so that it forms a two-layered triangle.
- Place the triangle behind your neck. The top edge should line up with the top of your head, and the base should be centered at the base of the nape of your neck.
- Lift the center corner on top above the head and down to the forehead.
- Bring the two corners at the ends around towards the forehead. Tie them together in a tight knot.
- Take the center corner on your forehead and tuck it over the knot you just made with the ends.
- Thread each end of the knot into the sides of the turban. Tuck any other excess material that hangs inside as well.
- This completes the donning process
Method 2 of 3: Traditional Long Turban
Step 1. Cut two large rectangles of fabric
The rectangles should be 185.42cm long and 93.98cm wide each.
- For this version, you'll be creating two layers of fabric, giving you more versatility.
- The outer layer has very few limitations and can be made of almost any material and have almost any design.
- The inner layer should be of a material that has good grip or traction so that the turban does not fall off or undo while you are wearing it. Use something like cotton or chiffon, and avoid smooth fabrics like silk or satin.
- Make sure all four edges are straight before continuing.
Step 2. Pin the layers together
Spread the two layers of fabric on top of each other with the "right" sides facing each other and the "inside" sides facing out. Pin each side in place, placing the pins directly along all four edges.
Step 3. Sew around the perimeter
Sew around all four sides of the turban, leaving an allowance for the seam of approximately 1.25 cm from all sides. Skip a section about 30.48 cm long in the center of one of the long sides of the piece.
- This step stitches the two layers together while also hiding the cut edges of the fabric inside the piece.
- It is essential to skip a length of about 30 to 48 cm in the fabric so that you can turn the turban over to the right side afterwards.
- Once the entire perimeter of the turban is sewn, except the skipped section, shorten all the corners by cutting off the tips. this way the turban will neither look nor feel like it is swollen when you turn the piece over to the right side.
- Use a simple straight stitch on a sewing machine or a back stitch if you are sewing by hand.
Step 4. Turn it right side up and close the opening
Pass the fabric through the opening you left in one side, bringing the "right" sides of the piece back to the outside. Sew the closure in sight when done.
- Before sewing, make sure the edges of the opening are folded in to hide the cut edge of the material. If you have trouble keeping the edges folded, pin or iron them in place with an iron before sewing.
- Note that the seam at this point will likely be visible, so it is important that the stitch is neat and that it is done with coordinating thread.
Step 5. Wrap the turban around your head
This turban will wrap around all sides of the head, including the top, and the ends will be tucked into the sides. With the conclusion of this step, your turban will be complete.
- Place the center point of the turban on your forehead.
- Wrap both ends around the sides of the head and towards the nape of the neck. Ties securely at the base of the neck.
- The fabric should cover the top of your head, extending from the forehead to the nape of your neck. Carefully arrange the turban so that it completely covers the top of your head, and tuck the ends into the part of the fabric you have already tied around your head.
- Wrap one side of the turban around your head. Keep it level with your ears as you wrap it, or twist it as you wrap for a slightly different look. Make sure that a 30 to 48 cm section of fabric remains free at the end of this loop.
- Repeat the previous step with the other side of the fabric. Wrap it around your head, leaving another 30 to 48 cm free.
- Tie the two ends together and tuck the excess fabric into the sides.
- All the material should be securely tied and held in place, and your turban is ready to wear.
Method 3 of 3: Twisted Band Turban
Step 1. Cut a long strip of fabric
The fabric should be approximately 139.7cm long and approximately 22.86cm wide.
- A thick, double-faced fabric works better than a single-sided fabric, because both sides of the fabric will be visible after tying the turban to your head.
- Choose a fabric with a good seal, such as cotton. Silky smooth fabrics tend to slip and may not stay on your head properly.
- If you're working with fabric that may fray but don't want to hem, use zigzag scissors to cut the fabric instead of regular scissors. The serrated blade of the scissors minimizes the possible amount of fraying, but may not completely prevent the fabric from fraying.
Step 2. Make hems if necessary
If you use a non-linting fabric, such as fleece, you don't need to worry about the edges of the fabric. If the edges are prone to fraying, however, you should make a hem of about 1.25 cm on the edges along the entire perimeter.
- The simplest way to hem the edges is to pin the fabric along the underside of the turban and machine sew a straight stitch on all 4 sides. If you sew by hand, use a back stitch.
- Alternatively, you could apply a liquid "anti-fray" spray to the edges to prevent them from fraying without hemming the edges. These liquid solutions are not as effective as a real rim, but they will in all likelihood work well for light to moderate daily use.
Step 3. Wrap the turban around your head
Wrap the fabric around your head, starting at the nape of the neck and then twist it into a knot in the front.
- Place the center of the fabric behind your head. Keep the two ends in front of you.
- Wrap the turban around the sides and front of your head.
- In the center of the forehead, twist the two sides together once, interlacing them.
- For a safer ride, cross the two sides over each other once more.
- Tuck the ends of the fabric into the portion of the turban wrapped around your head. Note that you need to tuck the fabric into the sides and not the top.
- With this, your twisted headband turban is complete. The front, sides and nape of your head will be covered, but unlike the traditional turban, the top of your head will be uncovered.
