DIY Fleece Hat with Pom Pom

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A fleece hat with a pom pom top is a quick and easy sewing project that can be made in 20 minutes or less. This beginner sewing project is perfect for making custom fashion accessories to stay warm in winter.

A young girl smiles, donning a pink polka dot fleece hat and scarf, perfectly paired with her gray coat against a plain background. — Child-sized fleece hat with 13″ height, paired with an easy DIY fleece scarf.

We used the same yard of fleece to make a matching hat, scarf, ear warmer headband and neck warmer! You can make a custom winter wardrobe with just a yard or two of fabric!

Sizes for both kids and adults are found in the directions below.

You can make two kid-sized fleece hats with 3/4 yard of fleece.

I often see fleece on sale for about $4 a yard, which makes each child-sized hat about $1.50 to make. Even if you need to pay more per yard, this is still a great deal that can save you a lot of money compared to buying a hat online or in a store.

A child wearing a pink fleece hat with polka dots and a pom-pom, along with a matching scarf, stands against a plain wall in a cozy gray coat. — Hat shown on a 7-year old.

For adults, you should be able to get the same amount of hats in the same yardage.

Assuming you use polar fleece that is 60″ wide, you will have lots of fleece leftover to make other sewing projects to keep you warm in winter, such as a fleece neck warmer or DIY fleece head warmers.

How to Sew a Fleece Hat with Pom Pom Top

Supplies

Fleece fabric (around 22″ X 26″ for a child’s size; see directions for measurements)
Thread
Sewing Machine
Sewing Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat
Sewing Clips or Pins

Directions

Step 1

Measure and cut your fabric.

To find the right size for your hat, measure the circumference of the child’s or adult’s head. Add on one inch to allow for seam allowance.

For my hat, our seven year old’s head had a 21 inch circumference. I added one more inch for a total of 22 inches. This measurement should be cut on the stretchiest part of the fabric, the length between the selvedges.

Next decide how tall you want the hat to be, including the pom pom on top. I would not suggest any shorter than 10 inches (as shown below).

This hat was made with a 10-inch height. As you can see, it is shorter than the pink one made with a 13-inch height.

My preferred measurement is 13 inches tall, but you can choose smaller for younger kids.

Keep in mind that you can make it taller than needed, and fold over the bottom to make a cuff to adjust the height.

Take this measurement and double it. So, for 13 inches tall, you will want to measure 26 inches (13 X 2).

I have found that using a rotary cutter and mat is the easiest way to cut fleece, however it is not necessary.

If you have a solid piece of fleece cut with a fold, move to Step 2.

Optional:

If you do not have a piece of fleece large enough to cut with a fold, you can cut two smaller pieces and sew them together.

That is what I had to do with this fleece because I had made so many other sewing projects already!

If you need to cut smaller pieces, you still want the circumference size (in this case, 22 inches) to be along the stretchiest part of the fleece.

Now, consider the height of the hat that you want. If it is 13 inches, then you want to add 1/2 inch to allow for the seam allowances.

So you would want to cut two pieces that are each 22 inches X 13 1/2 inches.

Two pieces of pink fabric with white polka dots rest on a black cutting mat, perfect for crafting a cozy fleece hat. A rotary cutter and clear measuring ruler accompany the setup, making the creative process seamless and precise.

Place the fleece pieces with ride sides together, and sew along one of the longer sides with a zig-zag stitch and a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

A piece of pink fabric with white polka dots is laid on a black grid cutting mat, ready to be crafted into a cozy fleece hat. A rotary cutter is positioned on the mat's right side, poised to bring the creative vision to life.

A pink fabric with white polka dots is laid on a black cutting mat with a grid pattern, ready to be transformed into a cozy fleece hat.

Open up the fabric and move to Step 2.

Step 2

Fold the fabric along the width (in this case, the 26 inches) with the right sides together.

If you are using a piece of fabric with a seam, be sure to match up the seams at the edge.

A hand holds the edge of pink fleece fabric with white polka dots, folded neatly on a cutting mat, ready to be transformed into a cozy fleece hat.

Pin the fleece together because this fabric tends to move around a lot when sewing.

Using a zig-zag stitch, sew along the unfinished edges with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and the end of your stitching.

A zig-zag stitch is necessary to allow for the stretching and pulling on the fabric. I suggest using a larger zig-zag stitch rather than a small, tight stitch.

Step 3

Turn the fabric tube inside out but only go half way. Match up the cut edges on the top and pin together.

You should have a shorter tube with the right sides facing out.

If you had to use two smaller pieces of fabric sewn together, then the seam should be on the bottom of the fabric tube.

Step 4

Now it’s time to make the pom pom top. Measure 3 inches down from the cut, unfinished edges.

Draw a line with chalk across the 3 inch mark, or simply lay a ruler over the line.

Cut through the fleece up to the line in 1/2 inch sections.

A pink and white polka dot fleece fabric, perfect for crafting a cozy fleece hat, sits with its cut fringes on a cutting mat. A clear ruler is aligned on top, displaying measurements in inches.

Helpful Tips:

I cut through the top layer (which is two layers of fleece) first. Then I went back through and cut the bottom layer (the other two layers of fleece) along the cut marks.
It is easier to cut one inch sections, then go back through and cut those sections in half.
On the sides of the tube, you can cut through the side seam to create a fringe. Otherwise you’ll have a thick clump of fabric on each side.
I cut off the stitched seams part, actually. It was just too bulky.
This does NOT have to be perfect!!! The measurements don’t have to be exact!

Step 5

Use a small strip of fleece fabric (about 8 inches long and 1/2 inch wide) to tie a knot around the hat just underneath the fringe. Gather the hat fabric together, tie a tight knot with the fabric strip and fluff it out with the rest of the fringe.

Alternatively, you can also use yarn or ribbon to tie just underneath the fringe.

A young child in a gray coat, wearing a light blue fleece hat and matching scarf, stands against a plain background.

Helpful Tips I’ve Learned From Making These Fleece Hats

It can be very difficult trying to tell what is the right side and what is the wrong side of fleece fabric. The good news is that if you can’t tell while sewing the item, then it probably won’t matter with the finished item, right?
If you really need to determine the right side of the fleece fabric and can’t tell based on the color of the pattern or the nap of the fabric, you can look at the selvedge seams. The selvedge will be rolling in towards the right side.
Use a large zig-zag stitch rather than a smaller, tighter stitch. You want there to be enough give when this neck warmer is pulled over the head.
Pinning or clipping the fabric is definitely a good idea! I found that the fleece fabric slid easily while sewing.
I used a Sharpie to trace the lines on my fleece fabric because none of the cut parts would should. This was the easiest way to make marks on the fleece, compared to using chalk.
The pink and white polka dot fleece and turquoise fleece were bought at Walmart on clearance. Did you know that you can buy fleece by the yard on Walmart online, as well?

Save this idea to Pinterest to remember for later!

This is a great beginner sewing project that is easy to make for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift Ideas or as DIY stocking stuffers!

DIY Fleece Hat with Pom Pom