So, you want to sew your own beanie. They’re a fashionable accessory that also serves as invaluable during the chilled winter months, but what exactly does it take to create one yourself?
In this guide, we’ll cover all the details necessary to transform your search for better fashion statements into a full-blown hobby!
First, it’s time to decide on the fabric. There’s yarn, wool, cotton… but if you’re doing this for the first time, it’s recommended to use fleece, as it’s the easiest fabric to sew. Not to mention fleece is durable, so there’s no worry of it getting worn out after just a few uses.
Let’s get started in creating a beanie from fleece:
Preparation for Sewing a Beanie
Measure Your Head
Use a measuring tape to document the circumference of your head.
Adults’ heads are around 21 to 23 inches (53.3 to 58.4 cm.) in radius. Fortunately, fleece can stretch a bit, so you can dial this up to 23 inches (or 58.4 cm.).
After obtaining your fabric at a craft store, you should stretch the fabric around your head until it’s tight, and check which direction the tightness comes from. It also shows you where the backside of the fabric is.
Print and Cut Out a Pattern of Your Hat
You need to make sure you have the right size and shape for your pattern. Search online for “fleece beanie pattern” and find a design to your liking.
After that, print it “to size,” not to “fit page.”
Now it’s time to start cutting. First, you should cut a rectangle that’s about 23 inches (58.4 cm) wide by 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall into the fabric.
Fold the Fabric
Next, fold the fabric 14.6 cm by 30.5 cm. Make sure it takes the form of a sandwich and not a hot dog.
There you should have a doubled-up rectangle, so think of it as a sandwich with a lot of filling.
Compare the Print and Fabric
Place your printed pattern on top of the fabric and make sure they align, especially with the top of the longer side (30.5 cm).
Cutting Shapes and Trim
Now, use sharp fabric scissors to cut through the layers of fabric, following the outline of your pattern.
Repeat until you have 4 dome-shaped pieces. It’s recommended that you pin the fabric down to keep it straight; you don’t want to mess up. Repeat again and you should have 8 pieces in a dome-like shape.
Finally, you should cut out a set of trims for the lip of your beanie. Make sure they’re rectangular and are able to go around the total border.
How to Sew a Beanie
Sewing!
Now, sew the backside of the fabric – which is inside of the hat. Place two pieces of fabric on top of each other and sew them together with a quality sewing machine, or by hand.
Make sure the front sides are facing each other, and attach them together like a book. Use a straight stitch to ensure you’re not zig-zagging, but do include a curve so that it forms a dome.
Repeat this with the other sides, and this should result in four sewn-together pieces.
Pin the Sets
Take two of the domes and place them together with the front sides touching. Start to pin them at the top and then go evenly down to the seam.
Do this with the other domes, and in the end, you’ll have two sets of the matching fabric pinned together.
Sew the Edge
Next, you need to sew the curved edge of your pinned pieces, using the same straight-stitch to help you with that curve.
In the end, you should have two mini beanies.
Measure the Hem
For the bottom of the hat, you should measure and fold two 3-inch (7.3 cm.) hems. This will be the band.
Fold and Sew the Trims
Remember the trims? Use one of your trims and the hem to go around the beanie’s bottom like a ring, and sew them together.
Repeat this with the other hat, and make sure that both the hem and trim are equal length.
Matching the Hats
Match the smaller hats and line them up by the longest seam.
Once you do that, press them together and make sure they’re even.
Then, flip them over each other like when folding a pair of socks.
Pin the Two Hats
Pin the hats together, but leave a 2-inch space open and un-sewn. It will allow you to pull out easily.
Pull the Fabric
In the end, you’ll get a bean-shaped fabric oval. Reach into that opening and very gently pull the fabric back out. Then you need to tuck half the beanie into the other.
And there you have it, your own beanie! Stitch up that little opening, and you’re done.
Here’s a video showing an example of how to sew a beanie.
Do you have any tips on how to sew a beanie?