Mourning armbands have a history for men but are increasingly worn by all members of the armed services, police, fire brigades and sports teams as they pay homage to a deceased colleague. Historically, widowed men wore them for months to a year. They could remarry when the black armband period was over. Mourning armbands are also referred to as sleeve garters and are constructed of fabric-encased elastic. They can be made in various widths with meaningful symbols or colours attached to them.

  • Mourning armbands have a history for men but are increasingly worn by all members of the armed services, police, fire brigades and sports teams as they pay homage to a deceased colleague.
  • Mourning armbands are also referred to as sleeve garters and are constructed of fabric-encased elastic.

Measure the bicep area of the arm with a tape measure.

Cut 7.5 cm (3 inch) wide black fabric so it is the length of your arm measurement plus half again.

Fold the right sides together lengthwise and stitch a seam, with a 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) wide seam allowance. Use a sewing machine or hand stitch this seam.

Turn this tube inside out so the seam is on the inside.

Cut a piece of 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) elastic to the bicep measurement.

Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic.

Feed the elastic into the black tube, using the pin as a guide.

  • Fold the right sides together lengthwise and stitch a seam, with a 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) wide seam allowance.
  • Feed the elastic into the black tube, using the pin as a guide.

Sew the ends of the elastic together.

Use hand stitching to attach the two ends of the black tube together, totally encasing the elastic .