Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

How to Hand Sew Hats

Hats can make practical and fashionable winter wear. They’re easy to sew, and they make great gifts for family and friends. When you sew hats by hand, you can work wherever you’re comfortable, even in a cozy chair by the fire. You can buy a hat pattern, or make your own using the directions below. First, you’ll need to measure the circumference of your head. A soft, flexible measuring tape (like the kind sold in many fabric stores) works best. If you don’t have one, you can use a piece of non-stretchy ribbon or string, cut it to the right length and measure it using a ruler. Once you have the pattern ready, you can sew simple, yet stylish fleece hats by hand.

Things You'll Need

Paper
Pencil
Measuring tape
1/4 yard fleece
Matching thread
Scissors
Straight pins
Hand sewing needle

Instructions

Make a Simple Hat Pattern
- 1
  Measure the circumference of your head by wrapping the measuring tape snugly but comfortably around the back of your head and your forehead. (For example, 22 inches.)
- 2
  Divide this measurement by four. (For example, 5 1/2 inches.)
- 3
  Add 1/2 inch to this number. (For example, 6 inches.) This will be the width of the hat pattern.
- 4
  Cut the piece of paper so that it’s as wide as the hat pattern measurement (for example, 6 inches) and about 8 1/2 inches tall.
- 5
  Fold the piece of paper in half widthwise.
- 6
  Measure 4 inches from the bottom of the paper, and mark it on the edge of the paper opposite the fold.
- 7
  Draw a curved line from this mark to the folded edge at the top of the paper. Cut along the curved line, then unfold the paper to make the hat pattern.
Cut and Sew the Hat by Hand
- 8
  Pin the hat pattern to the fleece and cut around it. Cut three more hat pieces the same way.
- 9
  Cut a piece of thread about 1 yard long. Insert one end of the thread through the needle and pull it until the two ends of the thread match up. Tie several overlapping knots in the end of the thread.
- 10
  Place two of the hat pieces right sides together. Whipstitch the hat pieces together along one of the curved edges.
- 11
  Place the other two hat pieces right sides together and whipstitch them together along one of the curved edges.
- 12
  Unfold the two stitched sections and place them right sides together. Whipstitch them together along the outer edge.
- 13
  Turn the hat right side out. Turn the lower edge of the hat up 1 or 2 inches to make a brim.

Sewing