- Ages
- 9–12
- Startup budget
- $84–$184
- Time per week
- About 3 hours
- Parent involvement
- Moderate
- Preparation
- Some prep
- Type
- Product
- Where to sell
- In person & online
- Time to start
- 2–3 weekends to learn the sewing
About this idea
Scrunchies are a great first sewing project and a popular product: everyone with long hair uses them, and they make easy gifts. One fat quarter of cotton fabric makes about four scrunchies.
Kids learn to measure, cut and sew straight lines, either by hand or on a sewing machine with a parent nearby. Choosing fabrics and making matching sets teaches an eye for what customers like.
A great fit for
- Kids who love fashion and fabric
- Kids who want to learn to sew
- Families with a sewing machine (or patience for hand sewing)
What you’ll need
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Cotton fat quarters (8)About $1.50 each at Walmart. Each one makes about 4 scrunchies | $12 |
| 1/4-inch elastic (10 yards) | $7 |
| Thread and hand-sewing needles | $5 |
| Backing cards and small bags | $5 |
| Subtotal | $29 |
Assumes: Makes about 30 scrunchies. Assumes scissors, pins and a safety pin at home, plus a sewing machine or hand sewing.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Market table feePer event. Kids’ markets typically charge $10–50; some are free | $25 |
| TableclothA bright color makes the table stand out | $10 |
| Display stand or risersGives products height so customers notice them | $15 |
| Sign and price cards | $5 |
| Pop-up tentOptionalOnly for outdoor markets without shade. Borrowing one works too | $100 |
| Subtotal (without optional) | $55 |
Bring about $20 in small bills and coins for change. You get it back, so it isn’t counted as a cost. Selling to family and friends first? You can skip these until your first market.
Total to start selling at a market
$84$184 with optional extras
What parents do
Parent involvement: ModerateRegular help with some steps, printing or online sales
- Teach or supervise the sewing
- Buy fabric and supplies
- Drive to markets and help at the table
Your child: about 3 hours a week making, selling and planning once it’s up and running.
Step by step
Practice one scrunchie
Follow a beginner tutorial with a parent. Cut a strip about 4 x 20 inches and sew your first one from scrap fabric.
Choose your fabrics
Pick colors and prints that go together so you can sell matching sets.
Cut in batches
Cut all the strips and elastic pieces first, then sew them one after another. It’s much faster.
Check quality
Tug each scrunchie gently. Re-sew any loose seams before it goes in the sale box.
Package in sets
Put three on a card in a clear bag. Sets look like a ready-made gift.
Costs & pricing example
Cost to make one scrunchie
$0.77
Example price
$5
Profit per scrunchie
$4.23
How we worked out the cost of one scrunchie
- Fabric$0.40
- Elastic$0.20
- Thread$0.05
- Card and bag$0.12
If your child sells 30 scrunchies at $5, that’s $150 in sales and about $126.90 profit after materials. The $84 startup cost, including a first market table, is earned back after about 20 scrunchies.
Sets of three for $12 sell well. Satin or velvet scrunchies can be $7–8, but that fabric costs more.
These numbers are illustrative examples, not guaranteed earnings. Prices vary by supplier and location.
Where to sell
Children’s markets and craft fairs
The best place to start: shoppers love meeting young makers.
Classmates, family and friends
Scrunchies in team or school colors make easy first orders.
A parent-run online shop
Online marketplaces require an adult account holder.
Skills your child will build
- Sewing
- Measuring and cutting
- Color and style choices
- Quality control
Common challenges
- Sewing feels hard at first
- Try this: Start with hand sewing or slow machine speed, and practice on scrap fabric before using the nice prints.
- Elastic snapping back inside
- Try this: Pin a safety pin to the end of the elastic to thread it through, and hold the other end with a clip.
Safety & parent notes
- Adult supervision
- An adult should supervise sewing machines, needles and sharp scissors.
- Keep pins and needles in a pincushion, and count them at the end of each session.
A note for parents
Sewing is a life skill your child will keep. Be patient with wobbly seams at first, and step back once they can sew safely on their own.
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