Last year, I had the distinct pleasure of making Santa hats for the preschool program. The hats were a huge hit! Some of the hats are still being worn....like around my house. Why wouldn't a person simply hit the dollar store for Santa hats, especially 20 of them? For starters, they are felt and poor quality, in my opinion. Second of all, it's more cost effective to make them, especially a couple dozen. Beyond that, this is what I do! And with an easy-peasy pattern like this, it would have taken me far longer to drive to the store.
While making a few for the store this season, it was brought to my attention that a free pattern and tutorial would be nice. Say no more! If you want to make just one or dozens, here is the pattern for you. I made it all so nice and simple, so very little sewing prowess is needed. That means YOU, you brave little novices out there! You can so do this!
Hat fits a 19-22 inch head.
For one hat, you will need:
1/2 yard red fleece
1/8 yard white fleece
1 white pom pom
white thread
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO MAKE UP TO 6 HATS, BUY 3/4 YARD OF RED FLEECE FABRIC AND 1/4 YARD OF WHITE FLEECE FABRIC. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUTTING OUT MANY HATS IN THE NEXT POST.
Print out the 3 page pattern here.
*note* do whatever your printer needs to do to make sure there are no margins. Either uncheck "fit to page" or pull down the menu for "no margins". Anyway, ensure there are no margins.
Match arrows and tape according to pattern. Cut out pattern.
My favorite method for cutting out the fabric is to lay out the pattern on the fabric, weight it down with canned goods or weights, then trace around pattern with the kids' washable markers. See the STRETCH arrows? Be mindful of the stretch of the fabric going with the stretch orientation on the pattern. Cut inside marker lines. Remember, align the FOLD arrow of the pattern on the fabric fold. Do the same for the hat band on the white fleece, laying it out on the fold, tracing and cutting inside lines.
Two pieces.
OK, let's do our 4 seams. Ready?
Using a straight (8-10 stitches per inch) stitch or a serger, and a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch the body of the hat, right sides to the inside, as shown, in one seam. If using a straight stitch, drop your needle at the angle and pivot slightly. If serging, just curve around. There it is....seam number one.
Next, grab the white hat band and stitch the short ends together, right sides inside. That was seam number two.
Slide the hat band over the body of the hat so the bottom edges of both are lined up and the seams are matched. 
Stitch that bottom edge all the way around, 1/4 inch seam allowance. Thus, your third seam.
Time for that fourth seam! Stitch the band to the body at the edge of the band, securing it to the hat body. A zig-zag stitch is nice, but a straight stitch done 1/4 inch from the edge of the band is good, too.
Four seams! Done!
Hand stitch that pom pom to the end, maybe add a jingle bell.
Who is feeling a bit festive?
Coming up......when you need a bunch of Santa hats......instructions for making this multiply. Just kidding....you don't have to wait! Here it is!
