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A synchro headpiece, made up of squiggly shapes in 4 colours: lavender, salmon, gold, and lime green.
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How to Make a Synchro Headpiece

Here's an easy to follow tutorial on how to make synchro headpieces, and how to make synchro bun covers. Loads of photos to help you along!
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Keyword: accessories, dance accessories, headpieces, synchro, synchro swimming
Yield: 1 headpiece
Author: Marie
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Tracing or Medical Paper
  • Scissors
  • Sewing Needle

Materials

  • Scrap spandex
  • Thread
  • Embellishments, optiona, Crystals, paint, glitter, etc

Instructions

Designing & Patterning Your Headpiece

  • To start, draw your design out on a piece of exam table or tracing paper.
  • If you’re using multiple shapes / fabrics - as I am here - be sure to allow for some overlapping. (Alternatively, you can make separate pieces to be used on different areas of the head!).
  • When you’re designing your headpiece, think about how and where you plan to have it sit on the head.
    Will it wrap around a bun? Swirl to the front?
    Keep these sorts of thoughts in mind as you draw it. Draw your design “right side up”, and mark where the colours will go.

Making Your Headpiece

  • Once you have your master design drawn, use another piece of exam table paper to trace the separate parts.
  • Be sure to cut a bit of overage on the piece that will be going under the other, if applicable. (See dotted line on the photo below.)
  • Cut pieces out of plastic canvas, hold against head of swimmer to ensure the size/shape works for you.
  • Cut a piece of fabric, slightly bigger than the piece of plastic canvas that it will be covering.
  • Pin the fabric into place if you need to, stretch the edge around the plastic canvas, and sew it down along the edge, using matching thread.
  • If you have other pieces, repeat the process with them, until all of your pieces are covered with their respective colours of spandex.
  • Use your master pattern as a guide to positioning / overlapping multiple pieces.
  • Hold your pieces together in place as you sew one to the other, using thread to match the colour on top.
  • Using 20 gauge copper wire - available at craft stores - straighten out a length.
  • Every 2" or so, wrap a single loop tightly around a pen or pencil, twisting twice. This will be what your swimmer uses to pin the headpiece on.
    Personally, I like to do my wire twisting in smallish stretches, so I have some flexibility as to where the loops go.
    Generally speaking, you’ll want one at each point/peak, the outsides of curves - in addition to along the rest of the edges.
    Intentionally positioning loops at peaks and curves prevents the headpiece from flapping around, and getting ripped off as a result.
  • Curl the very end of your wire around needle nose pliers, or otherwise bend to form a tight loop. This will prevent the wire from stabbing your swimmer in the head!
  • Use a regular needle and matching thread to stitch the wire down to the underside of your headpiece, lining up the loops to start right at the edge.
  • Continue around the entire outer edge of the headpiece, twisting and placing the wire as you go. When you meet up with your starting point, knot your thread well and finish off your seam.
  • Embellish your headpiece as desired, with crystals, sequins, fabric paint, and/or glitter.