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How to Keep Your Guy Warm in His Baseball Cap at a Football Game

Jennifer Stern, contributor

11 users recommend

See--warm ears while wearing a baseball cap!

len hasemann

It's really easy to finish the edges with binding or fold-over elastic.

Jen Stern

If your guy isn't a baseball cap kinda guy, there are lots of fleece accessories you can whip up using the patterns included with Ultimate Polarfleece Pizzazz!

Jen Stern

See--warm ears while wearing a baseball cap!

Photo: len hasemann

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Here is something to make for the guy who has everything or wants nothing for Christmas...the gift of warmth at a game! I have a drawer full of hats, mittens, and headbands, but this is special...it's a headband that's designed to be worn with a baseball cap. Everyone knows someone who can't be seen without his favorite team cap on this head. Even if it's 20 below! For me, it's my brother. He's a diehard Red Sox fan who would rather freeze his ears off than be without his team cap! The wonderful people at Great Copy Patterns have been kind enough to offer you this pattern for free! So, click here to download a pdf of the pattern. And, as a bonus, you can visit them at www.greatcopy.com and order a kit including Polartec Polarfleece and fold-over elastic to make a headband ear warmer for just $6.00...that's a $21.00 retail value!

Here's what you'll need:

• The pattern
• 1/8 yard Polarfleece (or the kit from Great Copy)
• 1 yard of 1-1/4-inch-wide fleece binding (I cut strips of fleece myself; you could buy some ready to go or get the kit!)
• Thread to match your fleece
• Sewing machine

It's important to cut the pattern pieces out on the line before you position them on the fleece. When you're working with a heavy fabric such as fleece, pattern pieces can rip if you try to cut through the paper and the fabric at the same time.

By trimming the pattern pieces to exact size before you position them on the fleece, you're sure to get perfectly shaped pieces.

Program your sewing machine to a zigazag stitch. Set the stitch length at 3.5 mm and stitch width at 0.5 mm. This narrow, stretched-out zigzag has some give, so you won't pop stitches when you are wearing your headband.

When this stitch is sewn on fleece, it will appear to be a regular straight stitch.

Keeping the headband folded in half, stitch the center back seam using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Sew the center back seam.

If you are not working with the kit and you want to make your own binding, cut a 1-1/2-inch-wide strip of thin fleece or rib knit across the width of the fabric. I'm using a fleece-backed knit that I got at RoseCityTexiles. They have a wonderful selection of high-tech fabrics.

To make wide knit fabric more manageable, you can fold it in half a couple of times to make it easier to cut strips.

Position the knit strip right sides together with the edge of the under-the-brim strap. Sew along the edge using a 1/4-inch allowance.

Be careful not to stretch the knit strip as you sew it to the edge of the fleece. If you stretch it onto the fleece, the fleece will lose its stretch.

Smooth the knit strip over the raw edge of the fleece, and fold it to the wrong side. Pin the knit strip in place. Stitch along the ditch from the right side.

If you stitch a scant 1/8 inch from the binding, it will look nice and neat—even if you're a little crooked.

Using small, sharp scissors, trim the excess knit strip away from the stitching in the back.

Be careful not to trim too close to the stitching.

After you finish both sides of the strap, baste the ends of the strap on the bottom edge of the headband where it's indicated on the pattern.

If you attach the straps before you finish the lower edge, the binding will encase the ends of the strap, creating a clean finish.

Here is the under-the-brim strap after it's attached to the front of the headband.

Finish the lower edge of the headband, encasing the ends of the strap as you go.

Start and stop sewing the knit strip about 1 inch in front of and behind the center back seam of the headband. Bring the ends of the knit strip toward the seam and mark where they meet each other at the seam. Sew the knit strips together at the marking and trim off the excess.

Sew the knit strip to the headband, starting and stopping 1 inch from the center back seam.

The seam finishing the knit strip should line up with the center back seam of the headband. Press the seam allowances open and finish sewing the knit strip to the back of the headband.

The center back seam of the headband should line up with the seam finishing the knit strip.

All you have left to do is repeat the process to finish the top edge of the headband.

Take a minute to trim all of the threads.

Slip a cap into the headband by putting the brim through the space in the front—then put the cap on your head.

I'm not sure I like the black and gray with the red cap...I will probably make one that's more coordinated. I think I would prefer red on red or black with black binding on a red cap.

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Comments (11)

KrystinaK writes: This is an awesome idea and we want to make up a few. I went to the great copy but could not find where they have a kit...can u help me find that or put a link up for it please?
Posted: 11:43 am on October 23rd

JenniferStern writes: Hi ggmom, I think that if you took one of the fleece ear warmers that you made that's too small for the large brim on those team caps, you could figure out how much length you would need to add to get the brim to fit easily. It probably wouldn't be a lot, possibly an inch give or take a little. Then you would sew the ends of the "under the brim" piece a little farther back along the sides on the ear warmer part--that way you'd make more room for the brim. I also think it's a good idea to eliminate the under the brim piece if it's too low.

The small size is 22", the med is 23" and the lg is 24" Take away a 1/2 inch for the seam allowances to get the finished circumference. The problem with giving exact measurements is that fleece varies in how stretchy it is...the more stretch, the shorter the measurement needs to be to be comfortable.

I hope that helps.
Posted: 2:04 pm on February 27th

ggmom writes: I have a question? How do you get an exact copy of the download pattern that is available and how do you alter the pattern to fit different sizes of the hats bill? ( If it had not been for your pictures I would have had a difficult time drawing one.) I have made it and everyone loves the idea, but the brim band was too low ( set on the eyebrows) so I eliminated it. I have made it for some of my grandson's baseball team, but I'm not happy on how they fit because of the wide bills on their hats. Also with the sizes being small, medium and large how did you decide on the exact head measurement. I know this may sound like I don't have a clue on how tomalter a pattern, but I thought maybe you had encounter similar problems and what was your solution(s)

It's a great idea and I'm looking forward to you sharing your ideas.

Happy sewing and have a great day !

GGmom

Thank you
Posted: 11:30 am on February 2nd

Ginab6 writes: Hi , I just found this and want to make it later but I also need the measurements. Also, does the pattern include the 1/4" seam allowance or does it need to be added? Thanks!
ginab6 at yahoo dot com
Posted: 9:53 pm on December 27th

JenniferStern writes: Hi Sue, Happy Holidays. Sorry I didn't get back to you with the measurements of the pattern in time...I'm happy you were able to figure it out. I went rushing around trying to find the pattern and I realized I already packed it...I'm moving into my new house next Tuesday. I know how tricky it is to find the perfect gift for those men in our lives...I'm glad this project worked for you.
Posted: 8:50 am on December 26th

Kansasewer writes: Hey there! I figured out the measurements and made one for my son-in-law, and my husband, my two brothers and 2 nephews. We had Christmas today with my son-in-law and daughter and he LOVED it. I made his out of camo fleece! I had two kinds of camo fleece on hand and two colors (black and gray)of foldover elastic in my stash so made 5 and then received the kit from Great Copy so made another. I am excited to give them to the "men in my life" on Christmas Day! Thanks for a great project!! Sue
Posted: 10:31 pm on December 21st

Kansasewer writes: I was wondering what the exact measurement should be since printers are all different??? What is the length of the main piece and width and the length and width of the small piece??? I have ordered a kit and need it for Christmas but am unsure as to the measurements. THanks-- it looks wonderful and my husband wants one and my son-in-law is getting the one in the kit for Christmas. Super!
Sue
Posted: 8:25 pm on December 18th

JenniferStern writes: Cindylue, that's great...wait till you see how fast they are to make. If you're interested being quick and speedy, sew them all one step at a time--bind the edges and of all the under the brim straps first, then sew the center back seam...etc. I'm glad you and your guys like this project. When I first discovered this project the only picture of it was a line illustration in Polar Fleece Pizzazz. It seemed like a really cool, innovative idea. After I made one up, I has my boyfriend try it on...just between you and me, he thought it was silly. We polled some of the neighbors in his apartment building who were walking by when I was trying to take a photo...Happily most of the guys we asked would wear it to a game!
Posted: 7:21 am on December 16th

cindylue writes: I showed the pattern to my husband and sons age 22 and 25. I will be making 4. I would like one as well. Super idea.
Posted: 4:11 pm on December 14th

JenniferStern writes: Thanks...I know what you mean..They're quick to make, so you can whip one up for you and your guy!! Happy Holidays!
Posted: 6:39 pm on December 13th

Sister_Diane writes: That is absolutely genius! Heck, I need one, too!
Posted: 10:55 am on December 13th

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