How to Make a Nightcap for Sleeping

Despite the threat of global warming, it can still get awfully cold at night. One of the best ways to ensure a cozy comfortable night when sleeping is to keep your head warm. Here’s where the centuries-old custom of wearing a nightcap pays off. Making your own nightcap for sleeping is fun and easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape measure
• Yardstick
• 1 yard of fleece fabric
• Fabric shears
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Needle and thread
• Fabric chalk
• Straight pins

1. Measure the circumference of (the distance around) your head with a tape measure. Make the measurement around the part of your head where the cap will fit. The fit should be snug.
2. Use a yardstick to measure out this distance on the fabric and draw a line with fabric chalk. This should be done on the side of the fabric that will be the inside of the cap.
3. Find the middle of this line and mark it. From this mark, draw a perpendicular line that is 18 inches long.
4. Draw two more lines that connect the end of the center line to the ends of the first line you drew. You should now have a triangle drawn on the fabric.
5. Measure out 1 inch beyond the edge of the triangle and cut out the shape with fabric shears.
6. Test fit the cap on your head. Try to pinch the fabric together at the point where the lines are drawn. If it feels too tight, the extra inch leaves enough room to make the cap a little bit larger.
7. Fold the cap over so that the lines meet and lay it out on a flat surface. Pin the cap together with three or four straight pins.
8. Stitch the cap together. Use the line you drew as a guide and remove the pins as you stitch.
9. Add a hem by folding 1/2 inch of material from the bottom of the cap up. Stitch the hem in place.
10. Turn the cap inside out and you’re done. Making a nightcap for sleeping will keep your head warm on cold nights. Pleasant dreams.

Tips & Warnings

• Fleece comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so look for something you really like.
• Pick up a soft fabric ball from a fabric supply store and sew it onto the tip of the cap.
• If measuring your own head is difficult, ask a friend to help.
• If you make the cap too loose, it may slip off at night while you’re asleep.