Craft Corner: Ear Warmers

By WENDY ALMEIDA, Staff Writer

Getting kids to wear a hat can be a challenge in the winter. But if you offer them a way to customize their own gear, you're more likely to get them wearing something warm on their head.

Making an ear warmer is an easy endeavor for a novice sewer. With some adult assistance, this pattern can be made in about an hour (less if mom makes it herself). It's also a great way to put scrap pieces of fleece fabric to good use.

MATERIAL:
* 16-inch by 10-inch piece of fleece fabric
* Scissors
* Pins
* Thread
* Sewing machine

INSTRUCTIONS:
* Cut out the ear warmer pattern from this page that is shaded in blue.

* Lay the piece of fleece fabric down and fold it in half lengthwise.

* Place the pattern on top of the folded fleece, making sure to match the fold edge of the pattern with the fold of the fabric.

* Pin the pattern on the fabric and then cut it out. Be sure not to cut the fold side.
* Un-pin the pattern and lay the cut fabric out flat.

* Fold the cut piece of fabric lengthwise with the  right sides facing each other. Each end should have a curved side.

* Pin the fabric in place and then start sewing from one end of the curve and across the straight edge to the end of the second curve. Be sure not to sew the ends closed.

* Turn the fabric right side out and poke out the curved corners with your finger (or carefully with the end of a pair of scissors).

* Fold one open end over about 1/4" and then tuck other end in to it. Pin and sew together using a zigzag stitch.

* Use a straight stitch (or zigzag if you prefer) to add a finished edge to the ear warmer along the seam.

Note:
* This pattern is for a large child hat size that will also likely fit a small adult head. Add an extra 1/2" to the  fold side of the pattern to enlarge for a full adult size.

* Do not sew the top folded part of the ear warmer as that will give it an awkward sit on the head. The fold will better curve to the contour of your head without stitching there. 

 Once you cut the pattern out, unfold the fleece. It should look like a long wide band.

 Fold the fleece lengthwise and pin in preparation of sewing the ends together.

 Be sure to leave the end edges (note the edge my daughter is holding in her left hand) open so you can turn it right side out.

 Poke out the corners on each end with your thumb or finger.

 Fold one open end over about 1/4" and then tuck other end in to it. Pin before sewing together.

 The zigzag stitch will ensure the piece can stretch without breaking the seam open when pulling on and off the head.
 

 The finished product took my 13-year-old about a hour to make from start to finish.

 For beginner sewers, choose fabric with a small repeating pattern. But as kids get the hang of the pattern, they can experiment with lining up characters on the front (like the cat or sport's logo) to make their own customized ear warmer.

The pattern - not to scale online. The print version in Raising Maine Magazine's January 2011 edition is the correct size to cut out.



Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine January 2011