How to Make Fleece Winter Hats
Fleece winter hats are soft and warm, plus you can make them at home from a basic sewing pattern and polar fleece fabric scraps. Look for a fleece hat pattern labeled "easy"; you often find them included with patterns for sweatpants or a vest. You will need a sewing machine that makes a finishing stitch that can stretch without breaking the thread, like a zigzag or blanket stitch. Also, make sure your scissors are sharp before you begin so the fleece fabric will cut straight.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 yard fleece fabric, approximate
- Hat pattern
- Straight pins
- Heavy-duty sewing machine with ball point, universal or stretch needle installed
Instructions
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1
Spread the fleece fabric out flat. Smooth your hand over the fabric to get rid of wrinkles in the fabric. Beginning with wrinkle-free fabric will make the whole hat-making process go more smoothly.
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2
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric. If the pattern pieces are still connected, cut them apart with the scissors. Position the pieces on the fabric so any pattern runs the way you want it to go and so all the pieces fit on the fabric. Pin the pattern to the fabric with straight pins.
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3
Use the scissors to cut all the way around the pattern's outer edge. Stack the pattern and fabric pieces in a small pile and set the excess fabric aside.
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4
Remove the pins from the pattern pieces and fabric, and look at the directions included with the pattern. Pin the fabric pieces together in the order described by the directions. Prepare the sewing machine by setting it to a long, wide zigzag or blanket stitch with light tension pressure on the presser foot.
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5
Sew the pieces together using a stretchable finishing stitch, following the seam allowance described in the pattern directions. The hat will be ready to wear when you reach the end of the directions, just make sure you remove all the pins when you are done.
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Tips & Warnings
If fabric sticks out beyond the finishing stitches, trim it with the scissors. Be careful not to cut the thread, though, because cutting the thread will make the seam unravel.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit winter boy image by Ivanna Buldakova from Fotolia.com
