Morning jogs, cabin trips, and campfires all call for the beloved fleece headband. This tiny yet mighty wardrobe addition gives an extra layer of warmth when a hoodie just isn’t enough while also, providing additional coziness along with your favorite sweatshirt. Polartec® Fleece is durable, soft and ideal for chilly temperatures—making it the perfect fabric to create your next cold-weather headband. Wondering how to make one? Spoonflower Maker Adina Marguerite Pease takes us through the steps.
Why Make a Fleece Headband?
A fleece headband may become one of your go-to accessories this fall and winter. Keeping yourself warm—and fashionable—is always a plus while out and about.
Polartec Fleece provides warmth and is pill-resistant. This means it won’t create those fuzzy balls after wear and wash. For beginner sewists, this is an easy and fun two-layer project. We’re using Polartec Fleece and Modern Jersey fabric for a cozy on the outside, soft on the inside headband.
What Head Size Does This Fleece Headband Fit?
Adina: With the stretch in these two fabrics, the pattern will fit anywhere from a 20 1/2″ (52 cm) to 23″ (58 cm) head. It will be a looser fit on the smaller end and a snugger fit on the larger end. For real-life context, this pattern fits my slightly big headed 4 year old, my 5’7″ 130lb self, and my 6′ 4″ 200lb husband. To adapt this pattern for head sizes outside of this range, increase/decrease the length of the rectangles by a minimum 1/2″ (1 cm) per inch of head size. So if you have a 24″ (61 cm) head, increase the length of the rectangles to 21 1/2″ (55 cm). Grab your materials, and let’s get started with this step-by-step tutorial below.
Skill level: Beginner
Materials
- Serger or sewing machine*
- 1 fat quarter Polartec® Fleece (for the inside layer of your headband)
- 1 fat quarter Modern Jersey (for the outside layer of your headband)
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter (or fabric scissors & a fabric marker)
- Fabric clips or pins
- Matching thread
Pro tip:
Steps to Make a Fleece Headband
1. Wash Your Fabric (Always a good first step!)
Washing suggestions for both Polartec Fleece and Modern Jersey are to machine wash cool on a gentle setting, and dry on low. Before you know it you’ll be in your new headband, so it’s always a good idea to wash your fabrics before you start creating.
2. Measure & Cut Your Fabric Pieces
Cut two rectangles measuring 5 1/2” x 21” (14 cm x 53.3 cm) —one with Modern Jersey and one with Polartec Fleece.
3. Clip Your Rectangles Together Lengthwise
Clip the two rectangles together on the long sides with the right sides facing each other.
4. Sew Pieces Together
If you’re using a serger, serge the clipped edges together.
On my serger, I’m using a 4-thread overlock standard tension setting for each needle (4), the widest stitch width for structure (7.5), a standard stitch length (3), and a small amount of differential feed gathering effect (1.3).
If you’re using a sewing machine, use a zig-zag stitch to sew the clipped edges together. This allows the fabric to retain its stretch once it’s been sewn.
5. Pull One End to the Other
Stick your hand through the tube. Pull the fabric that is at your fingertips back through the tube as you pull your hand out. Match up the fabric—Modern Jersey to Modern Jersey and Polartec Fleece to Polartec Fleece—as well as the seams.
6. Clip the Short Sides Together
Matching up the seams, clip the short sides together. Leave an opening on the fleece side to remind yourself to not stitch this part together.
7. Serge the Short Sides Together
Serge the short sides together leaving at minimum a 2” (5 cm) opening on the fleece side. If it turns out too small, just cut a few stitches out.
8. Turn the Tube Fabric Side Out
Pull the right side of the fabric through the opening on the fleece side of the fabric.
9. Clip the Final Edges Together
Flip the edges of the fleece side opening under and clip the folds together to close the headband. Make sure the jersey side is pulled back and doesn’t get clipped as well.
10. Sew the Final Edges Together
Sew the edges together. You can use a simple straight stitch vs. a zig-zag stitch because the fabric won’t get pulled in this direction. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of seams.
11. Snip Snip! Cozy Cozy!
Snip the threads and enjoy your cozy new headband.
Note: The designs Adina used are not for sale, but there are plenty more designs by adinamarguerite in her Spoonflower shop.