How to Make a Beanie With a Bill
- 1). Use the measuring tape to measure the circumference of your head (or that of the person for whom you're making the hat). Place the tape approximately where you'd like the edge of the hat to fall. Add one inch to this measurement to account for the seams. Measure also from the crown of your head to where the edge of the hat will fall, to get the height of the beanie.
- 2). Determine the diameter of the beanie dome size. The formula to find the diameter of any given circle with a known circumference is D = C/π , where D equals diameter and C equals circumference. The approximate value for π is 3.14, and given the stretchy nature of fleece, is more than accurate enough for your beanie construction.
Example:
Measured head circumference = 20 inches
Plus 1-inch for seam allowance = 21 inches total circumference
Diameter = 21 / 3.14 = 6.7 inches (approximately) - 3). Construct the beanie dome. Cut a circle from the fleece using the diameter size you've determined in step 2. Cut this circle into quadrants and sew each triangular piece back together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, right sides together. Turn right-side out.
- 4). Construct the beanie band. Place the beanie dome on top of your head and measure the distance from the edge of the dome to where you would like the edge of your beanie to fall on your head. Add 1/2 inch to this measurement and cut a rectangular piece of fleece using this width plus the length of your beanie circumference measurement you used for your beanie dome creation (the circumference of your head plus one inch for seam allowance). Along one edge of this piece, sew a 1/4-inch hem. This will be the finished edge of your beanie.
- 5). Attach the beanie band to the beanie dome. Place the right side of the band to the right side of the beanie dome together and sew together using a 1/4-inch seam, beginning approximately 1/4 inch from the end of the band. When you reach the opposite end of the band, sew the two ends of the bands together with a 1/4-inch seam and finish attaching the band to the beanie dome. Trim any excess band material beyond the 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- 6). Create and attach the beanie bill. Use the pre-made bill to create a pattern 1/4 inch wider in all dimensions. Using this pattern, cut out two pieces of fleece for the bill and sew the exterior curves together, right sides together. Turn the piece right-side out and then insert the pre-made bill. Tuck the unsewn upper piece of fleece underneath the pre-made bill piece, along the interior curve. Sew the upper piece of fleece of the bill to the edge of the beanie band. Wrap the bottom piece of fleece under the band, and sew securely to attach.
