Learn to make these simple fashion berets with this great tutorial. Easy enough for kids.

This past winter, every where I looked fashion berets were popping up on celebrities. In fact, I love HGTV Design Star, and this past season, one of my favorite designer’s signature fashion pieces was the beret. She is a gorgeous blond who pulled off the Beret look in every episode. Some were so fun and just made her outfit pop. They were definitely her statement piece and each time she wore them, I wondered to myself if I dare try and pull it off this coming winter.

One of my regular readers had seen my Sewing 101 post and knew my desire to learn some simple sewing projects, so when Angi, from SchneiderPeeps, sent me this great beginner beret project, along with the cute yo-yo embellishments,  I definitely wanted to share.

Thanks Angi! Take it away.

Here’s a great project for the beginner sewer.  What makes is a great project?  There’s only one seam and we’re going to use fleece so we don’t have to worry about the fabric fraying.

Supplies:

  • 1/2 yard fleece
  • sewing machine that is working
  • thread
  • ruler
  • pen or marker
  • freezer paper

Optional – for embellishment:

3 1/2″ circles of coordinating fabric for the cute yo-yos.

hand needle

The first thing you need to do is make your own simple pattern.  With the help of your ruler, draw a circle that has a 13″ diameter (this will fit a pre-teen to adult head)  For a younger child (like my 3 year old) I use an 11″ circle.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  I use freezer paper to draw out my pattern and then I can re-use it over and over.

Now, fold your fleece over so that it is doubled and trace the circle onto your fleece. (I trace on the edge away from the fold so I have a bigger scrap piece left over)  I used a fabric marker whose ink disappears with water but you can use a pen or sharpie, it doesn’t really matter because you’ll be cutting on this line.

Pin the two layers of fleece together inside the circle and then cut them out.

Put the circle into your machine and line the edge of the fabric up with the edge of your presser foot.  (the presser foot is the the thing that you have to lower to hold the fabric in place.)

Do a couple of stitches forward and then do a couple of stitches backwards to lock in the stitches so they won’t come out.  This is important – every time you sew you need to back stitch at the beginning and at the end.

Clip about half of the seam allowance off  being careful not to clip the stitches.  I used pinking shears but you can use regular scissors if you want to.

Now, make another circle pattern that is 6″ in diameter and put it in the middle of your 13″ circle. (4″ for 3 yr old)

Trace around your circle on only ONE side of the beret.

Now pull the two layers apart so that it looks like a fortune cookie.

Cut out the smaller circle.

Now, flip the beret right side out using your hole and gently smooth out the seam.
If you don’t want to embellish your beret then you’re done. Put the beret on and be the envy of all your friends.  
If you want to embellish with some yo-yos then continue on.

Cut 3 small circles that measure 3.5″ each.

Thread your hand needle and begin to make small stitches around the edge of the circle. Leave some thread hanging at the end.  You’ll use this to tie a knot.

This is what it should look like when you’re done.  Make sure you leave some thread at each end.    This stitch is called a running stitch just in case you wanted to know.

Pull the two strings and the circle should start closing in on itself.  Continue pulling until the circle is closed.

Now, tie a square knot (right over left, left over right).  You might want to ask someone to hold the yo-yo down for you.

Decide where you want to place your yo-yos and then sew them on. Just stitch up and down right in the middle like you do when you sew a button on and then knot your thread.  If you have no clue what I’m talking about here’s a basic hand stitches page.

 Voila!  Enjoy being the talk of the town!

It’s coming to that time of year when children start getting restless and the words that every mother dreads, “I’m bored,” becomes common place. Over the next month, I will be sharing Boredom Busters ideas, crafts and zany, fun things that can become your  “Go To” arsenal for those very moments. If you have an idea you’d like to share, feel free to submit it for consideration here.
Angi is a minister’s wife and mom of 6 crazy kids. She writes several times a week at SchneiderPeeps about the goings on of her family which includes, among other things, crafts, homeschooling, gardening, chickens, and bees.