How to Make a Braided Headband for an 18 inch Doll

How to make a doll headband!

This tutorial shows how to make a pretty doll hair accessory: an 18" doll headband. The headband is made from plastic newspaper sleeves. Finding colored sleeves for this braided headband is worth the effort!

The three sleeves are braided to make a simple and adorable doll headband. Just add a hair tie and use some Scotch tape. It's so easy and can be made in about 10 minutes! Because plastic newspaper sleeves are used to make the easy headband, this is also an eco-friendly project.

Making clothes, furniture, and accessories for precious 18" dolls such as American Girl Dolls, Our Generation, Journey, Playtime by Emmie, My Life As, and New Adventures Styles dolls is a fun and very rewarding project. 

Watch our video to learn more about creating a DIY doll braided headband, or read this post for a step-by-step photo tutorial.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a headband for an 18" doll

• 3 newspaper sleeves
• Ponytail holder
• Scotch tape
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS to make a DIY doll braided headband

STEP 1: Prepare the newspaper sleeves for Braiding

Flatten and lay out the three newspaper sleeves on top of each other.

They need to be secured at one end, so gather them together at one end and twist the end.

Wrap the piece of tape around the gathered end of the newspaper sleeves. This will hold them together on the one end.

Step 2: Add the ponytail holder

Put the taped end through the center of a ponytail holder. Fold the taped end over the ponytail holder and tape the end to hold it in place around the ponytail holder.

step 3: Braid the newspaper sleeves

To make it easier to braid, attach the ponytail holder to the table with a piece of tape. 

Spread out the three separate newspaper sleeves and begin to braid them.

Braiding is not difficult. To braid, begin by taking the newspaper sleeve on the right and crossing it over the middle sleeve, which now becomes the middle sleeve.

Next, take the newspaper sleeve on the left and cross it over the one in the middle, making the left one the middle sleeve.

To make a braid, continue alternating between the right and left over the middle sleeve. Braid until the end of the sleeves is reached.

The braid must be tight to make a lovely headband that will look pretty on the doll, so keep the braiding tight.

Step 4: Secure the end of the braided headband

After finishing the braiding, the end must be held together like in step 1. Take a piece of tape and wrap it tightly around the end of the braided newspaper sleeves. Cut off the end after the tape to make an even end.

Step 5: Attach the ponytail holder to the end

Take the end that has just been taped and put it through the ponytail holder.  Make sure the braid is not twisted. Fold it over and wrap it with more tape to make the headband into a circle.

The DIY braided doll headband for an 18" doll is complete! Place it on the doll, pulling her hair through the headband. The ponytail holder should be at the back of the doll's head under her hair.

More 18" doll accessories

• Spa Mask
• Doll Tights From a Sock
• No-Sew Doll Blanket
• Doll Purse
• Backpack
• Doll Mittens
• Flannel or Fleece Scarf