How to sew the Ribb beanie simply?
There are many beanie patterns on the internet. Nevertheless, I have a photo tutorial for sewing the popular Ribb beanie, which my customers absolutely loved when I used to sell handmade items. I recommend this beanie for all children, right from birth. It fits a newborn baby beautifully, and it also fits adults very well. At the same time, it is not difficult to sew at all, and even a beginner can do it with ease.
Come and check out the photo tutorial. You can find the pattern in my e-shop; I'm attaching the link for you.
Ribbed Ribb beanie pattern
Step-by-step video can be found here on my Youtube channel
If you like the video, don't forget to subscribe to the channel
What material for sewing a hat?
The best material for sewing a Ribb beanie, as the name suggests (Ribb - rib), is ribbed knit fabric. This is a knitted fabric with a distinct structure, as you can see in the photo, and it is very elastic. This is what we need for beanies. The hat should fit snugly on the head, and that is only ensured by the elastane content in the fabric.
In addition to ribbed knits, you can also use waffle knits (again, it's good if they contain elastane) or waffle knits made of 100% cotton, which are available on the market. These stretch up to about 25% and can also be used. I personally used Mind the Maker ribbed knits, which have a higher grammage and are GOTS quality. You can find these here as well - Siyusi.cz
Knitwear, sweater fabrics, and you can also try stretchy fleece or stretchy terry, stretchy corduroy, ottoman, will be great.
You can buy ribbed knits here. I have tested them, and they are high quality.
What to sew on?
You can sew the Ribb beanie on a classic multifunction machine that has elastic stitches, a straight stitch, or a zigzag. Of course, an overlock machine is an added bonus. However, in terms of the actual sewing and the quality and neat finish, this beanie is not too demanding, and you can sew it just as nicely on a classic machine as on an overlock. The seams will not be visible and will be hidden inside. There will be no difference in appearance or feel when wearing it.
When using a classic machine, choose to sew the beanie with a straight stitch and elastic thread. Elastic threads are a necessity here. Thanks to their elasticity, they will stretch and not break. Be careful about this. Only sew elastic materials with elastic thread. If you don't have elastic thread, you can use a three-stitch straight stitch, which is considered an elastic stitch, to sew. However, this will be a very long process. A three-stitch straight stitch is not designed for such sewing. It is very slow.
Where to buy elastic threads? The brand Mettler Seraflex polyester threads - you can buy them, for example, as a convenient pack on www.stoklasa.cz or on www.dumlatek.cz
There's no need to finish the edges, as the entire beanie is turned right side out, and the wrong side isn't visible. With an overlock, you simply sew all around with the overlock, and you don't have to worry about anything. The overlock stitch is designed for sewing elastic materials, so you don't need to worry about the type of thread.
Needles for ribbed materials
When working with ribbed fabrics and knits, you need to be careful with needles. I recommend needles with a rounded tip, also known as Ball point needles. These needles pass through the material without cutting holes, which classic Standard needles would do. The consequence of a cut hole in the material is a dropped stitch in the knit and damage to the product at the seam.
For connoisseurs, I recommend this older article of mine.
For sewing beginners - a Ball point needle with a rounded tip. For Schmetz needles, for classic machines, it's a needle marked Stretch - SUK. These needles are not exactly the TOP for such materials, but unfortunately, you won't find another on the market. For industrial machines, it's a needle marked SES.
1. Cutting and positioning the fabric
You glue and pull out the size you will be sewing. Before pulling out the pattern, I recommend measuring the head circumference and then choosing the appropriate size on the pattern. The head circumference should be approximately 1 cm larger than the cap. Remember that the pattern includes seam allowances, and do not add anything extra. Otherwise, the cap will be too big.
Cut two identical pieces according to the pattern along the grain. The fabric must stretch widthwise. Not lengthwise. Be careful about this when positioning.
2. Cutting the connecting strip
Cut a piece of fabric to connect the two ends of the cap after turning. This will prevent the cap from unfolding when removed or washed. The piece of fabric will be approximately 2x4 cm. It doesn't matter which way you cut it.
3. Setting up the sewing machine
Now, make sure both pieces are right sides together and pin them. Both pieces should align perfectly.
One of the short sides has V-shaped notches. These notches will also align.
When sewing on a classic machine, start about 1 cm from the edge. When sewing on an overlock, set the stitch width to 0.7 (if possible - if not, leave it). On a classic machine, choose a straight stitch and elastic thread or a triple straight stitch. Start sewing in the middle of the short side where there is no cutout and where you have pinned the piece of fabric for connection in the middle.
4. Sewing the cap all around
Now, stitch around the entire circumference of the cap. As soon as you encounter the V-shaped cut-out, stop stitching and restart on the other side. Just ignore it and keep sewing :-)
Once you have sewn both sides, right up to the point where you started stitching, finish sewing and leave an opening of about 4 cm wide in the cap.
I recommend not finishing the stitching on a straight side but rather at the transition to a curve. The fabric stretches well there, and the hole won't be visible when folded.
Of course, you won't leave the hole in the cap. You'll sew it up, but the stitching would be visible lower down.
5. Pin the V-opening
In this step, bring the two sewn ends of the V-cutout together and pin them.
6. Sew the opening
Now sew the cut-out from one side to the other. Finish both ends so they don't stretch or loosen during wear and washing.
7. Turn the cap right side out
At this point, you need to watch approximately minute 7 of the video to see how to thread the connecting strip and sew the two parts of the cap together. Once you're done, turn the cap right side out. I wasn't able to photograph this operation logically well, so I'm including it in video format.
Now, turn the cap right side out through the small opening you left in it. Turn it and slide one side into the other like a sleeve.
You will get a double cap with no visible seams inside.
8. Close the opening with a hidden stitch
The opening through which you turned the cap must now be sewn shut. Use a hidden stitch or sew this small section with a straight stitch. Neatly arrange the cap, tuck the tips inside, and align them, using an iron if necessary.
Then, sew along the very edge with a straight stitch. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end.
9. Fold up the brim
The last step is to fold up the brim and sew on a decorative label.
A label really adds flair, so feel free to find an even larger sew-on label - Caps look great with labels made from SnapPap, cotton labels, or woven labels.
Outfit inspiration
2 comments
Děkuji moc, tyhle etikety jsou z wash paperu, tedy z pratelného papíru. Kdysi je tisknuly na wash my paper ale netuším zda ještě existují.
Dobrý den, děkuji za cenné rady. Prozradíte, prosím, odkud máte ty krásné čtverečky, štítky, které jsou na vašich čepicích? Děkuji