How to Sew a Double Hat with a Pompom from an Old Sweater
A step-by-step tutorial for sewing a double hat from an old sweater: take a single measurement — head circumference — cut the outer piece from the sweater's back and the lining from fleece, shape the crown seam with angled cuts, sew the outer layer and gather the top, assemble the lining in two steps for a snug fit, hand-sew the lining to the brim, then make and attach a fur pompom.
Beginner1 hr 30 minFree
Translated
Things you will learn
You only need one measurement for this hat — head circumference; in the example, it's 54 cm.
The outer piece is cut from the sweater's back, folded in half, measuring 27 cm (from the ribbing side) by 28 cm, and the lining is cut from fleece measuring 27 by 23 cm.
The crown seam gets extra shaping: fold the double piece in half again and make angled cuts 10 cm long.
Sew the outer layer on a serger or with a finishing stitch, without stitching the top closed, then gather the crown with a wide-eyed needle threaded with yarn from the hat, using a running stitch.
Assemble the lining in two steps to get an inner layer with a rounded top that fits snugly against the head; then turn the hat right side out, fold up the brim, and hand-sew the lining on 1 cm above the fold to keep the stretchy edge intact — finish by making and attaching the fur pompom.
What you'll get
You'll get a warm double-layer hat from an old sweater with a fleece lining and a fur pompom — you can sew a matching one for a child using the same pattern.
Materials and tools
Materials
Old knit sweater, the outer piece of the hat is cut from the sweater's back
Fleece for the lining, the example uses an old kids' fleece top
A scrap of faux or real fur, used for the pompom
Tools
Measuring tape, for taking the only measurement you need — head circumference
A needle with a wide eye, for gathering the crown with yarn from the hat using a running stitch
Sewing machine or serger, for sewing the outer layer of the hat
Scissors, for cutting the pieces
Pins, for basting the lining before hand-sewing it
Preparation
Take your head circumference measurement
You only need to take one measurement — head circumference; in the example, it's 54 cm.
Choose your materials
We'll make the lining out of fleece — in the example, that's an old kids' top. Also pick out a scrap of faux or real fur for the pompom.
Cut the outer piece
The outer piece of the hat is cut from the sweater's back, folded in half.
Cut the piece from the sweater's back
Cut a piece from the sweater's back, folded in half, measuring 27 cm (from the ribbing side) by 28 cm.
The cut-out piece
Cut the lining and shape the crown
The lining is cut from fleece, and the crown gets extra shaping with angled cuts.
Cut the lining piece from fleece
We'll make the lining out of fleece — in our case, an old kids' top. The piece measures 27 by 23 cm.
Marking the pattern on the sweater
Shape the crown with angled cuts
Give the crown some extra shaping: fold the doubled piece in half again and make angled cuts 10 cm long.
Folding the piece
Choose the fur for the pompom
Pick out a scrap of faux or real fur for the pompom.
The sewn gray piece
Sew the outer layer of the hat
The outer layer is sewn together, leaving the top open for gathering afterward.
Sew the outer layer and gather the crown
Sew the outer layer of the hat on a serger or with one of the finishing stitches — don't stitch the top closed! Thread a wide-eyed needle with yarn from the hat, sew a running stitch, and gather the crown.
Machine-stitching the piece
Assemble and attach the lining
The lining is assembled in two steps for a snug fit, then hand-sewn to the brim.
Sew the lining piece in two steps
Sew the lining piece in two steps to get an inner layer with a rounded top that fits snugly against the head.
Baste and hand-sew the lining
Turn the hat right side out, fold up the brim, and baste the lining to the hat along a line 1 cm above the fold. Sew it on by hand to keep the stretchy edge intact.
Turning the hat right side out
Make and attach the pompom
The fur pompom is made separately, then attached to the finished hat.
Make the pompom from fur
Make the pompom out of fur — for detailed tips, see the forum thread on making a removable pompom from real fur.
The assembled top before the pompom
Attach the pompom and try on the hat
Sew the pompom onto the hat and try it on! You can sew a matching accessory for cold days for a child using the same pattern.
The finished double hat
Finish and variations
Finish
Sew a matching hat for a child
Sew the pompom onto the hat and try it on! You can sew a matching accessory for cold days for a child using the same pattern.
Variations
Sew a kids' version
You can sew a new accessory for cold days for a child using the same pattern — just take the child's head circumference measurement.
Beginner1 hr 30 minFree
