How to Sew a Hat for a Child - A Simple Guide for Beginners 2026

Helena Lachowiczová
2026-01-14T10:32:27+01:00

Learn to sew a hat for a child! A complete step-by-step guide for beginners - from choosing the ribbing to the final stitches. A simple project you can master in 30-60 minutes. With a video tutorial and photo tutorial.
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Want to sew the first hat for your child? It's easier than you think!

If you're a beginner at sewing and want to sew your child's first hat, you're in luck! A hat is one of the simplest projects you can start with. In this guide, I'll show you how to do it step by step.

Why start with a hat?

Quickest project - done in 30-60 minutes

Minimal material - only 30-40 cm of fabric needed

Only 2 pattern pieces - it couldn't be simpler

Basic seams - no complex techniques

Practical - a hat is always useful

Great gift - for babies and older children

What kind of hat to sew?

For beginners, I recommend a ribbed hat. Rib knit is:

Forgiving material - small imperfections aren't visible

Stretchy - fits well on the head

Holds its shape - the hat looks professional

Easy to sew - doesn't twist or slip

What you'll need:

Materials:

Rib knit fabric - 30-40 cm depending on size

Alternatively: cotton jersey with elastane

Tools:

Sewing machine (ideally with an overlocker, but not essential)

Fabric scissors

Pins or clips

Measuring tape

Tailor's chalk or disappearing fabric marker

Pattern:

I recommend using a quality PDF pattern with a video tutorial. For example, our Ribb pattern includes all sizes from 0 to 15 years in one package and has a detailed video tutorial and photo tutorial.

How to choose the right size?

Measure your child's head circumference with a tape measure just above the eyebrows and ears. Then use this chart:

0-3 months - head circumference approx. 35-38 cm

3-6 months - head circumference approx. 38-42 cm

6-12 months - head circumference approx. 42-46 cm

1-2 years - head circumference approx. 46-48 cm

2-4 years - head circumference approx. 48-50 cm

4-6 years - head circumference approx. 50-52 cm

6-10 years - head circumference approx. 52-54 cm

10-15 years - head circumference approx. 54-56 cm

Tip: Rib knit is stretchy, so the hat will fit even if it's slightly larger or smaller!

How to sew a hat step by step

1. Pattern preparation

Print the PDF pattern at home on a regular A4 printer (or at a copy center on A1 format). Tape it together according to the instructions and cut out the pieces. Don't forget to check the test square!

2. Cutting the fabric

Fold the rib knit in half (right sides together), pin the pattern, and cut with a 1 cm seam allowance. For rib knit, sew across the ribs - this way the hat will be stretchy widthwise.

The photo here shows a pattern with darts only at the top and rounded at the bottom, but the pattern version already has darts on both sides. It's fine to do it either way.

3. Sewing the sides

Sew both side seams of the hat. If you have an overlocker, great! If not, use an elastic stitch on a regular machine (zigzag or triple stitch).

4. Sewing the crown

Fold the hat so the seams are aligned and sew the crown. You can leave it straight or create a point.

5. Hemming the bottom edge

Hem the bottom edge by 2-3 cm. Done!

Total time: 30-60 minutes even for complete beginners!

Tips for a perfect hat

Iron before sewing - the fabric will be flat and easier to sew

Test the stitch - try it on a scrap of fabric to ensure it's elastic enough

Follow the rib direction - the ribs must run across (widthwise on the hat)

Don't stretch while sewing - let the machine feed the fabric itself

Use a needle for knits - Jersey needle 70-80

Watch the video tutorial - a visual demonstration helps more than text; you'll find a detailed video with the pattern.

What fabrics to use?

Best choices for beginners:

Rib knit fabric - TOP choice for hats

Cotton jersey with elastane - stretchy, comfortable

French terry - thicker, suitable for winter

Avoid:

Very thin knits - difficult to sew

Woven fabrics - not stretchy, the hat won't fit well

Too thick materials - difficult to sew on a regular machine

Common beginner mistakes

1. Wrong rib direction
The ribs must run across (widthwise), not lengthwise on the hat. Otherwise, it won't be stretchy.

2. Inelastic stitch
A regular straight stitch will break when stretched. Always use an elastic stitch or an overlocker.

3. Too large seam allowance
For hats, 1 cm is enough. A larger allowance will unnecessarily increase the size.

4. Stretching while sewing
Let the machine feed the fabric itself; don't stretch it.

Hat variations for advanced sewers

Once you've mastered the basic hat, you can try:

Hat with a pom-pom - add a pom-pom to the crown

Reversible hat - sew two layers from different fabrics

Hat with earflaps - for winter months

Hat with a brim - for spring and summer

How much fabric do you need?

Babies (0-12 months): 25-30 cm

Toddlers (1-3 years): 30-35 cm

Preschoolers (3-6 years): 35-40 cm

School-aged children (6-15 years): 40-45 cm

With a fabric width of 150 cm, you can sew 2-3 hats from one meter!

Want to learn to sew professionally?

If you want to sew not only hats but also other clothing, I recommend our online course "How to sew on an overlocker" or "Sewing for baby". You'll learn all the basics and sew with confidence!

Conclusion: Sew your first hat today!

Sewing a hat is the perfect start to the world of sewing children's clothing. It's quick, simple, and the result will delight you. In an hour, you can have a beautiful hat for your child!

Ready to start? Download our Ribb PDF pattern with video tutorial and sew your first hat today. Thousands of beginners have already done it - you can do it too! 💪

Do you have questions? Write to us in the comments or join our FB group!