Hair Accessories Having An Integrated Friction Member

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a hair accessory, such as a scarf, headband, head wrap, ponytail wrap and the like, having a strip of fabric having opposite ends and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, and a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric. The friction member may be stitched into the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and with at least a portion of the friction member being exposed through one of the surfaces of the strip of fabric and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn. Alternatively, the friction member may be adhered to a surface of the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to hair fashion accessories, such as scarves, headbands, head wraps, ponytail wraps and the like, to be worn on the head and for retaining the hair of the wearer in place and, more particularly, to such products made from fabric and having a friction member, such as rubber band thread, stitched or woven into the fabric in a decorative manner and integrated into the fabric and/or a decorative pattern on the surface thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hair fashion accessories such as scarves, headbands, head wraps, ponytail wraps are generally know in the art. Head scarves are made from a strip or strips of fabric having a length sufficient to be wrapped around the wearer's head with the ends of the scarf tied together to secure the scarf to the wearer's head. The scarves are manufactured from many different materials and fabrics, ranging from materials that may easily slip out of the hair, such as silk and rayon, to materials having texture and thickness, such as corduroy and felt, that may be less likely to slip after being worn for extended periods of time or when the scarf loosens as the knot becomes untied. The scarves may be offered in plain colors, or the fabrics may include decorative patterns on one or both sides.

Headbands and head wraps may include similar materials that are either plain or have a decorative pattern on the surface(s). The headbands further include inner plastic or metal semi-circular bands around which the fabric is wrapped. The inner band is resilient to allow the ends to be pulled apart to slide the headband over the head and the hair to be retained, and to wrap around the head and fit snuggly to hold the headband in place when the ends are released.

The head wraps are typically fabricated from a stretchable material having the ends connected to form a continuous loop of fabric that fits snuggly around the head of the wearer. Before connecting the ends, the fabric may be folded or rolled lengthwise and connected along a longitudinal edge to form a tube. Depending on the material, some head wraps further include an elastic band within the rolled up or folded fabric to provide the necessary resiliency for repeatedly putting on and taking off the head wrap. The ponytail wraps are similar in construction to the head wraps, but are sized to be worn on the bunched hair forming a ponytail.

These various accessories having an outer layer of fabric in contact with the hair of the wearer have opportunities for improvement. The fabrics being used in the accessories may engage the hair of the wearer sufficiently when the accessories are worn for a short time and/or when the wearer is not engaged in physical activities that may cause a significant amount of movement of the head and hair. However, the accessories may tend to slip on the wearer's head or hair when worn for extended periods of time or during physical activities. For some accessories, textured fabrics have been used to enhance the ability of the accessories to grip the hair. Unfortunately, these fabrics cannot be used in every styling situation, and still tend to slip after extended use or during physical activities. Fasteners, such as clips and bobby pins, have been used to secure these accessories, but this requires additional fastening accessories, and may detract from the appearances of the scarves, bands and wraps. Consequently, a need exists for scarves, bands, wraps and other similar hair styling accessories that offer greater engagement and retention in the hair when worn for extended periods of time, and during physical activities, without the necessity of additional fasteners. Moreover, it is further desirable that improved engagement and retention be achieved in a way that does not detract from, and may even enhance, the appearance of the accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a scarf having a strip of fabric with a decorative pattern on at least one surface thereof and dimensioned to be tied around the head of a wearer of the scarf, and a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric. The friction member may be stitched into the strip of fabric in a complementary pattern to the decorative pattern of the strip of fabric and with at least a portion of the friction member being exposed through one of the surfaces of the strip of fabric and engaging the hair of a person wearing the scarf when the scarf is worn.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a hair accessory having a strip of fabric having opposite ends and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, and a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric. The friction member may be stitched into the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and with at least a portion of the friction member being exposed through one of the surfaces of the strip of fabric and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn.

In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a hair accessory having a strip of fabric having opposite ends and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, and a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric. The friction member may be adhered to a surface of the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn.

Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the claims of this patent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present device will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is rear and perspective views of a piece of scarf fabric having a decorative pattern on the front of the fabric and elastic friction members stitched therein in a pattern complimentary to the pattern on the fabric;

FIGS. 2A-2F are front view of complimentary patterns of elastic friction members for implementation in scarf fabrics having decorative patterns thereof;

FIG. 3 is front and perspective views of a headband and a scarf having a decorative pattern on the front of the fabric and elastic friction members stitched therein in a pattern complimentary to the pattern on the fabric;

FIG. 4 is front and perspective views of a head wrap including fabric having a decorative pattern on the front of the fabric and elastic friction members stitched therein in a pattern complimentary to the pattern on the fabric;

FIG. 5 is front and perspective views of ponytail wraps including fabric having a decorative pattern on the front of the fabric and elastic friction members stitched therein in a pattern complimentary to the pattern on the fabric;

FIGS. 6A-6C are front views of complimentary patterns of hot stamped silicone compounds applied to pieces of fabric; and

FIG. 7 is front view of a head wrap having a decorative pattern of hot stamped silicone compound on the front of the fabric.

While the method and device described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.

A hair accessory in accordance with the present disclosure includes a piece of fabric having a friction member stitched or woven into the piece of fabric. The friction member may be a rubber thread or other type of thread having a greater coefficient of friction that the material of the piece of fabric. The friction member is stitched or woven into the piece of fabric such that at least a portion of the friction member is exposed through a surface of the piece of fabric that will engage the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory. When the accessory is worn, the exposed portion of the friction member engages the wearer's hair to hold the accessory in place over extended periods of time and during physical activities. To maintain or improve the appearance of the accessory, the friction member may be woven into the fabric in a decorative pattern, or in a manner that is integrated into the material and/or pattern of the piece of fabric.

Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIG. 1, the front and back, or outward and inward, surfaces of a scarf 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure are depicted. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the scarf 10 may be formed from a strip of fabric 12 having front or outward surface 14 having a decorative pattern 16 woven into or imprinted thereon. The outward surface 14 may be flat with the pattern 16 being produced by coloring the surface 14, or the pattern 16 may be produced in whole or in part by texturing on the surface 14 of the piece of fabric 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, a rear or inward surface 18 of the piece of fabric 12 may be plain, i.e. without a decorative pattern, and may or may not have the same general color as the outward surface 14. The piece of fabric 12 is an elongated strip of material that is long enough to wrap around a wear's head. The piece of fabric 12 may have oppositely disposed ends 20, 22 that may be tied to secure the piece of fabric 12 to the head of the person wearing the scarf 10, and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges 24, 26 extending the length of the piece of fabric 12 and defining the lateral perimeter of the scarf 10.

The scarf 10 further includes a friction member or members 28 stitched or woven into the piece of fabric 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the friction member 28 is a rubber thread 28 that is stitched through the piece of fabric 12. The rubber thread 28 has a greater coefficient of friction than the material from which the piece of fabric 12 is manufactured. Of course, other threads made of other materials having greater coefficients of friction than the piece of material 12 may be used. As illustrated, the rubber thread 28 is woven into the piece of fabric 12 so that the rubber thread 28 is partially exposed through both the outward and inward surfaces 14, 18 of the piece of fabric 12. With such dual exposure, the rubber thread 28 will be in contact with the hair of the wearer whether the scarf 10 is put on flat with the inward surface 18 against the hair, folded or rolled up with the outward surface 14 against the hair, or in any other manner wherein one or both of the surfaces 14, 18 are in contact with the hair. Due to the greater coefficient of friction of the rubber thread 28 and its engagement with the hair of the wearer, the scarf 10 is less likely to slip off of the head of the wearer over time and during physical activities than a scarf made from a similar fabric but without the rubber thread 28 or other type of friction member.

In addition to the gripping function provided by the friction member 28, the friction member 28 performs a decorative function of preserving or enhancing the appearance of the scarf 10. For example, in the scarf 10, the friction member 28 is woven into the piece of fabric 12 in a series of sweeping curls that are complementary to the paisley pattern 16 on the outward surface 14 of the piece of fabric 12. The curls of the friction member 28 are not part of the pattern 16, but complement the curved lines of the pattern 16. In alternative embodiments, the pattern of the friction member 28 may be integrated into the pattern 16 of the scarf 10. For example, the friction member 28 may be stitched or woven along or directly adjacent to the edge lines of the shapes in the pattern 16 such that the friction member 28 becomes an integrated part of the pattern 16. If should also be noted that the inward surface 18 provides an example of a plain surface of a scarf not having a decorative pattern wherein the friction member 28 provides the decorative pattern of the scarf. Still further, whether used with plain fabrics or fabrics having decorative patterns, the friction member 28 may be provided in a color that is complementary to the color or pattern of the piece of fabric 12.

FIGS. 2A through 2F illustrate a non-exclusive sampling of various alternative patterns for friction members that may be stitched or woven into the pieces of fabric used in scarves of other hair fashion accessories. FIG. 2A is an example of a straight line pattern 30 having the friction member 28 stitched into a piece of fabric in horizontal and vertical directions. The straight line pattern 30 may be implemented on a plain piece of fabric, or may be integrated into or added as a complement to straight line patterns in the fabric, such as plaid, tartan or Burberry check patterns. FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a pattern 32 composed of closed shapes, and in particular multi-sized circular shapes. Similar closed shape patterns 32 may include ovals, hearts and other shapes or combinations thereof that may be used on either plain fabrics or patterned fabrics in which the pattern 32 may be integrated or may complement. FIG. 2C provides an example of a continuous curved line pattern 34. The pattern 34 is formed by a similar curved line that is repeated across the surface of the piece of fabric. The pattern 36 shown in FIG. 2D is a hybrid of the closed shape pattern 32 and the continuous curved line pattern 34 wherein the closed shapes are interwoven with curved lines. FIG. 2E shows a pattern 38 having multiple continuous curved lines. As opposed to the pattern 34 that repeats the same curved line across the piece of fabric, the pattern 38 includes curved lines following different paths and meandering through the peaks and valleys of the other curved lines to form an integrated design filling the space of the piece of fabric. A still further alternative is illustrated in FIG. 3F wherein a variation of a multiple continuous line pattern 40 includes pairs of complimentary lines spaced in a similar manner as the lines of the pattern 38 filling the space of the piece of fabric.

FIG. 3 illustrates a scarf 50 and headband 60 in accordance with the present disclosure being worn on the heads of models. The scarf 50 shown on the right side of FIG. 3 may include the same general components as the scarf 10 of FIG. 1. The fabric 52 from which the scarf 50 is made includes a polka dot pattern 54 on at least the outward surface, and the friction member 28 is configured in closed circles and interspersed between the dots of the polka dot pattern 54. The headband 60 shown on the left side of FIG. 3 includes a piece of fabric 62 having a continuous curved line pattern 64 on the outward surface and the friction member 28 woven into the piece of fabric 62 in a complimentary continuous curved line pattern such that the friction members 28 generally follow the curves of the pattern 64. To form the headband 60, the fabric 62 may be wrapped around an inner metal or plastic semi-circular band 66 to cause the headband 60 to conform to the head when the headband 60 is worn.

As a further alternative embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates a pair of thin head wraps 70, 80 having friction members 28 partially exposed through the surfaces thereof. The illustrated head wraps 70, 80 include fabrics 72, 82, respectively, having plain outward surfaces and friction members 28 woven therethrough in multiple curved lines having a sinusoidal appearance. The fabrics 72, 82 may be fabricated from a stretchable material to allow the head wraps 70, 80 to stretch when being put on by the wearer. The head wraps 70, 80 may be formed by folding or rolling the lateral edges inwardly such that the middle lines of rubber thread 28 will be on the outward surfaces of the head wraps 70, 80, and connecting the edges via stitching or other connection mechanism so that the outer lines of rubber thread 28 are on the inward surfaces and in contact with the hair of the wearer. The head wrap 70 may further include an inner elastic core 74 around which the fabric 72 is wrapped and providing additional elasticity to the head wrap 70.

FIG. 5 shows examples of ponytail wraps 90, 100 having friction members 28 in accordance with the present disclosure. The ponytail wrap 90 includes fabric 92 having a floral pattern 94 on an outward surface and friction members 28 woven therethrough in a manner that follows the outlines of the flowers in the pattern 94. The ponytail wrap 100 includes fabric 102 having a dotted pattern 104 on an outward surface and friction member 28 woven therethrough with tangentially intersecting circles surrounding the dots of the pattern 104. The ponytail wraps 90, 100 may be formed in a similar manner as the head wraps 70, 80 with lateral edges of the fabrics 92, 102 being folded or rolled inwardly and connected, and the ends of the fabrics 92, 102 being connected to form the continuous loops of the ponytail wraps 90, 100. The finished ponytail wraps 90, 100 may be slid onto the bunched hair forming the ponytail with the friction members 28 exposed through the inward surface of the ponytail wraps 90, 100 engaging the hair of the wearer to retain the ponytail wraps 90, 100 in place.

As an alternative to a friction member stitched or woven into the fabric, a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the fabric may be applied to one or both surface of the fabric, thereby providing a raised decorative pattern to the surface(s) of the fabric. For example, a silicone hot stamping process may be used to create a decorative pattern on the surface of the fabric using an appropriate silicone compound. Particular processes for hot stamping silicone compounds to the surfaces of the fabric will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated by the inventors as having use manufacturing hair accessories in accordance with the present disclosure. Examples of decorative patterns 120, 130, 140 that may be produced by the hot stamping processes are illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C. Moreover, the hot stamping process may also be configured to produce patterns similar to those discussed above with respect to stitching or weaving the rubber thread into pieces of fabric. Of course, other desired patterns may be used and applied to the fabric via hot stamping. Due to the hot stamping process, the decorative pattern formed by the silicone compound is raised from the surface of the fabric, with the silicone compound in the pattern engaging the hair of the person wearing the hair accessory of which the piece of fabric is a part to keep the hair accessory from sliding out of the hair. During the heat stamping process, the silicone compound adheres to the surface of the fabric and, consequently, is printed thereon, but does not go through to the other side of the fabric.

Once the silicone compound is applied to one or both surfaces of the fabric, the coated fabric may be used in a hair accessory such as the scarves, headbands, head wraps and ponytail wraps illustrated and discussed above. For example, a reversible head wrap 150 formed from a piece of fabric 152 having a hot stamped silicone compound pattern on the surface is shown in FIG. 7. The illustrated pattern includes flowers 154 intermixed with polka dots 156, and is stamped onto the piece of fabric 152 in two rows on the same surface of the fabric 152. After the pattern 154, 156 is stamped onto the fabric 152, the fabric 152 is folded in half between the two rows of the pattern 154, 156 so that the silicone compound is exposed on both sides of the head wrap 150. Once folded, the longitudinal edges of the fabric 150 are stitched together, and the opposite ends of the fabric 152 are stitched together to form a seam 158 and make the fabric into a continuous loop to form the head wrap 150. With the silicone compound pattern present on both sides, the head wrap 150 may be reversed while still having the silicone compound engage the hair of the person wearing the head wrap 150. In an alternative embodiment, the two rows on the surface of the piece of fabric 152 may be formed with different patterns so that distinct designs are present on each side of the head wrap 150, thereby providing the wearer with two different appearances in a single hair accessory.

The material used to create the stamped gripping surface is not limited to silicone. Other materials, such as plastisol, that can adhere to the surface of the fabric and have a greater coefficient of friction than the fabric to which the material is applied may be used for the hair accessories in accordance with the present disclosure. Materials such as silicone and plastisol exhibit sufficient heat resistance characteristics and resistance to being detached during machine washing so that the head wrap 150 and other similar hair accessories may be used for extended periods of time without the elements of the decorative pattern peeling off of the surface of the sheet of fabric 152. Those skilled in the art will understand that the amount of friction material used in the decorative pattern will directly impact the head wrap or other hair accessory'ability to stay in place in the hair. The greater the amount of friction material, the stronger the hold. In contrast, when a smaller amount of friction material is used, the hold will not be as strong. The amount of friction between the material of the pattern and the hair of the wearer can be controlled by the design of the pattern that is stamped/printed on the fabric.

The illustrated embodiments present several alternative implementations of accessories having a piece of fabric with a friction member, such as rubber thread stitched or woven therein, or a silicone or other comparable material hot stamped thereon, to reduce slippage of the accessory when worn, and in particular when worn in the hair. Those skilled in the art will understand that other such fabrics with friction members may be used in other applications and accessories. For example, similar friction members may be incorporated into articles of clothing where it is desirable to maintain the article or a portion thereof in a particular position on the skin of the person wearing the article. In one implementation, a rubber thread may be woven in a decorative way to the top of knee socks to prevent the socks from sliding down the leg of the wearer. By providing the friction member in these and other articles and accessories, the articles and accessories may be retained in place when worn for an extended period of time and during physical activities, and without the need for additional retention devices such as hair clips, bobby pins and the like to hold the articles and accessories in place.

While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not described every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.

Claims

1. A scarf comprising:

a strip of fabric having a decorative pattern on at least one surface thereof and dimensioned to be tied around the head of a wearer of the scarf; and

a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric, the friction member being stitched into the strip of fabric in a complementary pattern to the decorative pattern of the strip of fabric and with at least a portion of the friction member being exposed through one of the surfaces of the strip of fabric and engaging the hair of a person wearing the scarf when the scarf is worn.

2. A scarf in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pattern on the at least one surface of the strip of fabric includes edge lines, and wherein the friction member is stitched into the strip of fabric along the edge lines.

3. A scarf in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pattern on the at least one surface of the strip of fabric includes edges lines, and wherein the friction member is stitched into the strip of fabric adjacent the edge lines.

4. A scarf in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the friction member is exposed through both surfaces of the strip of fabric.

5. A scarf in accordance with claim 1, wherein the friction member is rubber thread.

6. A hair accessory comprising:

a strip of fabric having opposite ends and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges; and

a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric, the friction member being stitched into the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and with at least a portion of the friction member being exposed through one of the surfaces of the strip of fabric and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn.

7. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the strip of fabric has a decorative pattern on at least one surface, and the decorative pattern of the friction member is a complementary pattern to the decorative pattern on the surface of the strip of fabric.

8. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the pattern on the at least one surface of the strip of fabric includes edge lines, and wherein the friction member is stitched into the strip of fabric along the edge lines.

9. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the pattern on the at least one surface of the strip of fabric includes edges lines, and wherein the friction member is stitched into the strip of fabric adjacent the edge lines.

10. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the friction member is exposed through both surfaces of the strip of fabric.

11. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the friction member is rubber thread.

12. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the hair accessory is a headband, wherein at least a portion of the friction member is exposed through an outward surface of the strip of fabric, the headband comprising an inner semi-circular band having the strip of fabric wrapped around the inner band with an inward surface of the strip of fabric facing the outer surface of the inner band so that the friction member engages the hair of a person wearing the headband when the headband is worn on the person's head.

13. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 6, wherein the hair accessory is a wrap, wherein at least a portion of the friction member is exposed through an outward surface of the strip of fabric, wherein the longitudinal edges of the strip of fabric are folded inwardly and connected to form a tube of fabric having the outward surface of the strip of fabric forming the outer surface of the tube of fabric, and wherein the ends of the strip of fabric are connected to form a continuous loop from the strip of fabric.

14. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 13, comprising an elastic core fabricated from an elastic material forming a continuous loop of material, wherein the strip of fabric is wrapped around the elastic core when the longitudinal edges of the strip of fabric are folded inwardly.

15. A hair accessory comprising:

a strip of fabric having opposite ends and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges; and

a friction member having a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the strip of fabric, the friction member being adhered to a surface of the strip of fabric in a decorative pattern and engaging the hair of a person wearing the hair accessory when the hair accessory is worn.

16. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 15, wherein the strip of fabric has a decorative pattern on at least one surface, and the decorative pattern of the friction member is a complementary pattern to the decorative pattern on the surface of the strip of fabric.

17. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 15, wherein friction member is adhered to both surfaces of the strip of fabric.

18. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 15, wherein the friction member is a silicone compound.

19. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 15, wherein the hair accessory is a headband, wherein the friction member is adhered to an outward surface of the strip of fabric, the headband comprising an inner semi-circular band having the strip of fabric wrapped around the inner band with an inward surface of the strip of fabric facing the outer surface of the inner band so that the friction member engages the hair of a person wearing the headband when the headband is worn on the person's head.

20. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 15, wherein the hair accessory is a wrap, wherein the friction member is adhered to an outward surface of the strip of fabric, wherein the longitudinal edges of the strip of fabric are folded inwardly and connected to form a tube of fabric having the outward surface of the strip of fabric forming the outer surface of the tube of fabric, and wherein the ends of the strip of fabric are connected to form a continuous loop from the strip of fabric.

21. A hair accessory in accordance with claim 20, comprising an elastic core fabricated from an elastic material forming a continuous loop of material, wherein the strip of fabric is wrapped around the elastic core when the longitudinal edges of the strip of fabric are folded inwardly.