How to Make a Sailor Beret

Make a sailor beret to complete your costume.

A sailor's beret is a fashionable accessory that can be worn with several outfits. It is also necessary to wear when dressing as a sailor for Halloween. Finding and purchasing a perfectly fitting beret may be difficult. Making your own will give you the opportunity to create a beret that fits your head circumference comfortably and customize the colors and ribbons. With some sewing skills and a little time, you can make a sailor beret.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric measuring tape
• White cotton fabric
• Pencil
• Geometric compass
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Sewing machine, optional
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Use the measuring tape to measure around your forehead. Ensure the tape is adjusted to the area on the forehead where the beret will sit. Add two inches to this measurement to allow extra space for seams.

2. Spread out the fabric right-side down on a flat surface. Make a small pencil mark away from the edge of the fabric.

3. Adjust the compass to create a circle with the measurement from your forehead. Place the point of the compass on the pencil mark. Draw the circle.

4. Place the ruler vertically over the circle, using the center pencil point to divide the circle in half. Draw a straight line down the center of the circle. Rotate the ruler horizontally to divide the circle in half. Draw a straight line through the center. There should be four equal parts to the circle.

5. Mark dotted lines along the edges of each of the four parts to indicate where the seams will be made. Each part will require two dotted lines -- one running parallel to each straight edge on the section. Create the lines about 1/4 inch from the side.

6. Cut out the circle. Cut along the straight lines within the circle, separating each of the four parts.

7. Match up two of the four parts, right sides facing. Slide a sewing pin through the middle, holding the two pieces together. Sew along one side of the dotted lines, attaching the two pieces together. Do not sew along the bottom or the second side. Remove the sewing pin when you are finished.

8. Match up a third piece to one of the pieces that is already sewn together, right sides facing. Slide a sewing pin through the middle, holding the two pieces together. Sew along one side of the dotted lines, attaching the third piece to the other two. Remove the sewing pin when you are finished.

9. Match up the fourth piece to close the gap in the sewn pieces. Pin one side of the fourth piece to the first and third pieces. Sew along each seam to create the top of the sailor beret. Remove the sewing pins when you are finished. Turn the pieces right-side out, so the seams are on the inside. If there is a tiny portion at the point of the beret that is open or not completely sewn, simply push it into the top of the beret.

10. Measure and cut the fabric piece for the brim of the beret. Use the forehead measurement that was used to create the circle on the compass for the length. The width should be approximately 10 inches.

11. Lay the fabric for the brim right-side down on a flat surface. Fold it in half lengthwise, matching up the edges. Pin the edges in place.

12. Sew along one side and the top of the strip. Remove the pins as you sew. Turn the sewn piece right-side out. Use the ruler to push the corners out, if necessary.

13. Measure and cut two strips of ribbon, the same length as the brim. Align each ribbon on the front of the brim piece, leaving a space in between. Pin each ribbon in place.

14. Sew along each ribbon, attaching it to the brim piece of the sailor beret. Remove the pins as you sew.

15. Pin the brim piece to the top of the hat, right sides facing. Line up the bottom edge of the brim piece with the bottom edge of the top piece. Position the middle of the brim piece in the center of one of the four pieces in the top of the hat. Pin the bottom of the brim piece to the bottom of the top piece. Work around the brim and the top piece, pinning the two together.

16. Sew along the bottom of the brim piece, attaching it to the top of the hat. The seam should only be approximately 1/4 inch into the brim piece. Sew around the entire beret, finishing the seam at the starting point.

17. Push the top of the beret down through the brim, turning the entire hat inside out. Sew the two ends of the brim piece together.

18. Turn the beret right side out.

References

• Pin-up Lifestyle: How to Make a Round Sailor Hat
• Live Journal: How to Make a Sailor Hat