Sustainable Saturday - DIY Fleece Hats

For years now I have been making fleece hats and scarves for my kids.  The idea for the hats I got inspiration for from a gift my daughter received when she was one.  The gift was a fleece hat, made simply with a tassel on the top.  It was cute and my daughter loved it.  However, being fleece she quickly outgrew it.  I looked at the hat and thought, I can easily make this.

The inspiration:

So on a trip to JoAnn Fabric several years ago I bought yards of fleece for $0.99 / yd.  This year I've seen it advertised for $2.99 for plain and $2.99 for printed / yd + 20% total purchase discount (which would be approximately $2.39 / yd.).

I usually measure the circumference of my children's heads, then make the hat custom to fit their head.  I do find that there is some stretch to the fleece, so if you are not able to do this, I found the resource below, although for 0-36 months only.

Baby Infant Growth Chart Calculator - Head Circumference (0-36 months)


Instructions for the hat:

 

1. Cut a piece of fabric that is the correct circumference for the child's head + 1" (length) x 14"-16" (height) depending on how tall you want the tassel(s) to be.  
2. Fold up 1 1/2 - 2" at the base of the hat to make it look finished and stitch across the length of the fabric.  
3. Fold the fabric in half to make the hat.  Sew in 1/2" from edge to form hat.  Do not stitch the top part of the hat where the tassel will be.  Leave 6"-8" at top of hat for tassel(s).
4. Cut a piece of fleece approximately 1/2" x 12" to tie around the top where the tassel(s) will be located.  
5. Use scissors to cut the tassel(s) strips (3/8" - 1/2" wide each).

Note:  I use my zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine to stitch the hat together because I like the look.


Instructions for the pink scarf:

1. Cut a piece of fabric that is approximately 8" (width) x 30"-42" (length).  You will need 3 of these.  
2. Sew together down the middle the 3 pieces of fleece.
3. Use scissors to cut strips 1/2" to 1" wide the length of the scarf.

The gray scarf pictured I actually modeled after directions found on NickJr.com for a Deigo scarf.  I opted to sew the gray scarf instead of the fabric glue as suggested in the directions.


Instructions for the neck warmer:

1. Cut a piece of fleece that is approximately 22"-26" (length) x 10"-12" (height).  
2. Fold up on either side 1/2" - 1" of fabric and sew along entire length of piece of fleece.  You will do this on both long sides.
3. Turn inside out and sew 1/2" from edge along short side of fleece.

In general these hats and scarves are relatively easy to make and make terrific and very inexpensive gifts!