Pixie & Pilot Caps Pattern with New Video Tutorial

DIY pIXIE CAP

Just in time for the cooler weather coming on, these cozy pixie & pilot caps are the perfect thing to keep your little ones ears nice and toasty!

Although this is not a new pattern release, I do have a NEW video tutorial to go along with it. I’m super excited to share it with you.

These whimsical, but most importantly functional pixie and pilot caps were designed to fit snug around the face and tie comfortably under the chin.

A cap for all seasons

Spring & Summer: For those days when the little ones just need a light covering, a cap made with cotton knit is the perfect thing.

Fall & Winter: An upcycled sweater or a cozy piece of fleece, are the perfect thing to make a pixie or pilot cap out of. 

If you would like the look of a hand knit hat for your child but you don’t knit, but you DO sew, this pixie & pilot cap pattern works great. Use the bottom cuff of a sweater and cut it out with the method I show in my pattern tutorial and it will hug around your child’s face just like you had knit it by hand.

These make really fun baby gifts!

Where do you get the pilot & pixie cap pattern?

The pattern includes two different styles of caps: A functional pilot cap and a fun whimsy pixie cap.

Five different sizes from Newborn to a Child Size Small.

The cap uses very little fabric or sweater material. This one was made from an upcycled cotton sweater and the lining from an upcycled fleece jacket.

Lining the cap will make the cap REVERSIBLE and it’s so easy to do!

This is another opportunity to use some of your sweaters from your stash, if you have one.

If you are like me, once you start making things from upcycled sweaters, collecting second hand sweaters becomes an addiction.

Just think of all the combinations of colors and textures you can use to make some fabulous caps.

Pilot & Pixie Caps Soft and Cozy Binding

Using the method I show, in a previous post, to bind the hat with fleece, makes the hat so cozy around the face and ties comfortably under the chin. 

HERE ARE SOME OTHER FUN HATS TO MAKE.

Christmas is just around the corner. So dig into your sweater stash, or purchase a small amount of fleece and get sewing!  *******Holiday sales are coming up and fleece can usually be found at a really good price this time of year.

So grab your pattern and get sewing. 

 

Here is the video tutorial that will walk you through the process, step by step!

Play Video

Have fun sewing!

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Diy Baby Beanie Hats from Recycled T shirts

Repurposing clothing is something I get excited about, and it’s not only from sweaters. There are a lot of things you can do with an upcycled T SHIRT as well. How about a baby beanie?

Baby and toddler clothes are so fun to make with upcycled t shirts because they don’t require a lot of fabric. These beanie hats are so fun and easy to make.

Although I don’t have any little ones around at the time, I was preparing some baby gifts and wanted to add a few beanie hats to what I had already purchased. I got into my t-shirts box (yep, I save a few nice t-shirts as well as sweaters) and found some cute t-shirts that would work for beanies. They were cut out and sewn in 30 minutes.

This pattern includes THREE different types of hats and THREE different sizes.

Supplies & Items Needed

  • Stretchy knit t-shirts or knit fabric

Look for soft stretchy fabric that would feel good on the little ones’ heads.

  • Pattern (downloaded and cut out)
  • Scissors
  • Pins or fabric clips
  • Iron
  • Sewing machine (single needle or serger can be used)

**If using a single needle machine, set the stitch to a small zigzag stitch to prevent seams from popping. 4 widths and 1 1/2 length.

 

1-  Choose an existing t-shirt or purchase 1/4 yard of knit fabric

Remember that this fabric will be touching a baby’s head, so find something that is cozy and soft to the touch. (Most knits are).

2-  cut out the pattern size and pin  on fabric

Make sure the stretch of the fabric is going horizontal as indicated on the pattern. To make things quicker, double fabric so you only have to make one cut. You need two top pieces.

3-  Fold fabric in half and place cuff piece on the fold where indicated on the pattern.

Pin in place and cut out. You only need one cuff.

4-  Place top pieces Right Sides Together (RST).

Pin in place and sew the top sides. Do not sew the V pleat yet.

 

5-  Fold the cuff in half horizontally with (RST) and sew the side seam.

6-  Sew top piece darts.

Fold the top piece together so the side seams you just sewed are in alignment. Pin in place. Sew from the dart end all the way over the top to the end of the dart. Angle off slowly to prevent seam puff. Clip threads.

7-   marking 1/2 way points with pins

With the top piece folded in half, mark the outer points with pins.

8- Hat cuff

Fold the cuff piece in half, with (RST) to form a band. Now place a pin at the half way point.

9-  Putting it all together

With the WRONG side out of the top piece, take the cuff and align 1/2 way points. Make sure the seam of the cuff is not on one of the side seams of the top piece. (You’ll want the seam to be in the back of the beanie not on the side.

Secure in place with pins and sew all the way around.

10- Press seam allowance towards the top piece

Take an iron and press the seam towards the top piece. This will allow the cuff to fold nicely.

11- Press cuff fold

Turn the right side to the outside and fold cuff in half. Press inner fold.

Ta-dah!  Now wasn’t that a snap.

Instructions Top knot beanie

1-  Place (RST) and sew around beanie top, leaving the bottom open.

2-  Follow the same basic instruction from the basic beanie.

3-  After pressing the beanie, tie a knot in the top hat tail.

Isn’t this adorable!

Instructions for Baby bear beanie

1-  With (RST) sew around ears and cuff side seam.

2-  Turn earns inside out and fold pleats, then pin in place.

You can baste to hold in place or just pin.

3-  Place the ears where indicated on the pattern.

Take the other top piece and put it on top of the ears. (RST). Line up edges. (The ears will extend past the edge). Pin in place and sew the two sides.

4- Line up the side seams and sew the dart seam, just as with the basic beanie instructions above.

5-   Apply the cuff.

Press seam allowance.

These beanies make great baby gifts or whip some up for your own little one.

Here are some other fun baby gift tutorials.

Patterns can be found in my website shop.

Some other T-shirt repurposing posts

Upcycling T Shirts 

Repurposing T Shirts – Cutting Out Tips

Happy sewing!

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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DIY – Mitered Corners Baby Blanket

mitered corner baby blanket sewing tutorial

Are you looking for an easy to make baby gift? This diy mitered corners baby blanket is a fun sewing project that only takes a little over 30 minutes to whip up. The contrasting binding and the crisp mitered corners really add charm to this cozy flannel receiving blanket.

Don’t let the mitered corners intimidate you. This baby blanket really is a snap to sew up. I love mixing and matching different flannel colors and prints. Once you sew one up, you will want to make more.

 

If you are a visual learner and would enjoy a video tutorial, I have filmed the process and offer it for FREE on my youtube station.

To make a 34” square blanket you will need:

  • 1- Prepare Fabric

    • The question I always come to when making up a baby blanket is: Do I pre-wash the fabric or not?
    • Here is a good article that states the pros and cons of pre-washing fabric.
    • What do you do? If I am making it for a gift, I usually don’t pre-wash. It just looks like it has been used when it has been pre-washed.
    • It doesn’t have that crispness and sharp color. However, you take a risk of the two fabrics not shrinking equally and causing the blanket to distort a little after washing. There usually isn’t a problem with good quality flannels, but I have had it happen.
    • Remove the selvage edge of your fabric pieces. (Finished edge, that sometimes has print on it)
    • Mark the selvage edges with a safety pin.

    2- Cutting Out

    • Decide which fabric you want to be the back and border piece. Cut it to be 40″ square.
    • Cut the front piece to be 30″ square.

3- Align and Pin

  • Fold the ends of each side together and mark center point with a pin.

 

  • Locate the selvage edges on both pieces. (the side with the safety pin)
  • Place selvage edges Right Sides Together (RST)
  • Line up center points and pin together. (ya, ya I know you are thinking…How is this going to come together?) Trust me, it will.
  • Make sure that the excess fabric has the same measurement on each side.

3- Create Stop Points

  • Take the top piece and measure 1/4 inch from each edge at the corners and mark with a pencil or pin. Do this for all four corners of the front piece.
  • Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew from stop point to stop point. Do not sew past that point. It is real important to sew right up to this point but not any further.
  • Do the same thing on the other side, directly across. (remember that there is going to be excess fabric) Line up center points.
  • Pin in place and sew from stop point to stop point.

4- Sewing Seams

  • Flip the blanket and align the remaining edges together, matching center points. Yep, the corners will seem weird at this point, no worries.
  • Leave a space about 6 inches open on one of the side seams. (This is where you will turn the blanket inside out)
  • This is what the corners will look like at this point.

5- Miter Corners

  • Holding the corner, fold the blanket so the two seam edges meet.
  • Mark a 90° angle from the FABRIC FOLD to the stop point. You can use a simple piece of paper to get the right angle. Just make sure the bottom of the paper edge is along the folded edge, not the seam edge.
  • Mark a line with a pencil.
  • The photo below is the WRONG way to mark the corners. The right angle needs to be lined up with the fabric fold.
  • Sew along the pencil line, back stitching at the beginning and end of seams.
  • Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch.
  • Repeat these steps for all four corners.

Press and Turn

  • Lay the blanket out flat with the small piece on top. (notice that the back panel folds over the front) Isn’t this the coolest thing ever!
  • Before you turn the blanket inside out, press the seams toward the outside.
  • Turn the blanket inside out through the gap you left in the seam.
  • Poke the corners out using a point turner or pen with a lid on.

Finishing

  • Lay the baby blanket flat so the border is equal width on all sides.
  • Press in place, making sure the seam allowance is folded toward to blanket edge.
  • Pin around the blanket especially where you left the hole.
  • Top stitch around the blanket close to the seam edge.

You can use all kinds of different decorative stitches if you want to dress it up a little.

This baby blanket makes wonderful baby shower gifts. Throw in a upcycled jingle ball and you have a baby gift that is easily handmade and from the heart.

Get the pattern here in my shop, or my Etsy shop.

Have fun sewing!

jan3

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Baby Gift Ideas – Upcycled Sweater Toys

Do you have a baby on the way, or know someone who does?  These little toys made from felted wool sweaters or fleece scraps make a fun compliment to any baby gift.

If you have been saving your sweater scraps……..this is a great place to upcycle them into a cuddly and cozy baby toy.

Sweater Balls & Blocks

These balls are so soft and squishy, just right for those little hands to hold. I insert a couple jingle bells inside to add a soft jingle,jingle when the ball is shaken.  The pattern includes a cute block pattern as well. They are really quite easy and fun to sew up. They really add charm to a baby gift!

 Sweater Pals

sweater bunnies

Little hands love to hold these bunnies and bears made from upcycled sweaters. Tuck one in a sack with some baby lotion and soap with his head and ears popping out. What a cute thing to take to a baby shower. This is a fun project using basic sewing machine and hand sewing skills.

Have fun sewing!

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Read More