Fleece Trapper Hat Pattern and Tutorial (Free)
This free fleece trapper hat pattern has a secret! You can make a warm trapper hat that hides a set of earphones. Listen to your favorite mp3 player while keeping warm. Pattern can also be made without earphone inserts.
You’ll need:
1/2 yard fleece (for exterior and lining) or
1/2 yard jersey knit for lining
1/8 faux fur (optional)
rotary cutter and mat
over the ear headphones (optional)
Sewing Essentials (pins, scissors, etc.)
Video Fleece Trapper Hat Pattern tutorial here, written below:
Fleece Trapper Hat Pattern Tutorial
1 – Cut out pattern
Decide if you are making a fleece trapper hat with fur trim or not
For the fleece trapper hat pattern tutorial you will need cut out
1 of the exterior front
1 of the exterior back
1 lining front
1 lining back
1 front piece of fur (optional)
Tip: to cut out the fur trace an outline on the the back side of the cloth – it will be easier to cut out than pining the pattern piece and trimming. Also be sure to shake it out outside to get rid of stray fur.
1 front piece of fleece (optional)
6 to 12 strips of fleece about 6 inches in length (optional)
If you are making headphone inserts you will need to trace a box around one of the headphones you are using to insert – be sure to leave room for a .23 seam allowance.
Note: You could upcycle an old sweater for this hat exterior. For the lining you could make it from fleece or jersey knit.
2 – Begin to make the fleece hat
With right sides together sew the fur piece to the fleece piece,using a .5 inch seam allowance leaving the bottom open for turning.
Trim corners. Turn right side out
Line up bottom with the hat (see picture) baste into place along the bottom and tack into place in three to four spots along the top.
3- Sew the exterior together
With right sides together sew the front of the exterior to the back of the exterior (note that the front and the back of the hat are not symmetrical. Using a .5 inch seam allowance sew the side seams together leaving the v open.
Then turning the hat sew the v shut. (pinch the v together (right sides of the front together, right sides of the back together pin sew together in one continuous seam.
4 – Make the braided tassels (optional)
If you aren’t making the tassels skip this step.
Gather the strips into two groups.
Sew a straight stitch across the top of each bunch.
Then braid the strips.
Sew across the bottom to secure and cut ends so they are even.
Then sew to the ends of the exterior of the hat – be sure to pin them up out of the way when you add the lining.
5 – Make the lining
With right sides together sew the front of the exterior to the back of the exterior (note that the front and the back of the hat are not symmetrical. Using a .5 inch seam allowance sew the side seams together leaving the v open.
Then turning the hat sew the v shut. (pinch the v together (right sides of the front together, right sides of the back together pin sew together in one continuous seam.
6 – Add the earphone pockets (optional)
Pin the pocket over the side seam just below eye level. Sew pocket on using a .25 seam allowance, sewing along three sides leaving the top open. Repeat on the other side.
Once you’ve sewn the pocket make sure that the earphone can fit into the pocket on each side. Remove ear phones and set them aside.
7- Bring it all together
Take the lining and stuff it inside the exterior, so right sides are touching. Line up the seams and the bottoms. Pin the bottoms of the lining and the exterior together. Sew all the way around the bottom using a .5 inch seam allowance, leaving a 3 inch gap for turning in the back.
8 – Finishing up
Turn right side out using the opening at the top ( work with a it a little as it is a squeeze). Once turned right side out, stuff the lining of the hat into place. Top stitch all the way around the hat .25 away from the edge – leaving the gap open if you plan on inserting headphones.
9 – Insert the headphones
10 – Finishing the fur
This is a picky thing but it makes the fur cuff look really nice. Take a pin and pull the fur that gets caught in the seam out. – if make the side seams practically invisible and looks professionally finished.
Download the free pattern here, tutorial below.
You Might also like these free Fleece Hat Patterns:
- Basic Fleece Hat
- Fleece Hat with Earflaps
- Slouchy Fleece hat
- Fleece Hat with Ribbon
- Monster Fleece hat
- Fleece hat with Bunny Ears
- Fleece Hat with Puppy Ears
- Fleece Hat with Horns
- Fleece Dragon/ dinosaur, cat, pumpkin, viking
- Fleece Hat with Bear Ears
- Unicorn Fleece Hat
Additional Fleece Sewing Projects:
- Bow Ear Warmer Headband
- Fleece Scarf with Pockets
- Red Riding Hood Cape
- Washable Duster
- Warm Mittens
- Easy Fleece Blanket
- Quick Sew Hobo
- Child’s Fleece Robe
- Child’s Fleece Pants
ohhh, You are beyond fabulous! I would love this in toddler and children sizes for my grandsons age 1.5 and 4.5. Any chance that children’s patterns are coming soon? pretty please 🙂
Hi Sue –
that’s on the horizon – stay posted!
Agreed! However, I think if you just shrink the pattern to fit the regular kid hat it would work 🙂 trying it tonight!
I would love to make a few of these, but I have a Mac and can’t download the pattern. Is there anywhere else to get it? Or could you email it to me?
Okay, nevermind. I was clicking on the totally wrong thing. I got it figured out. Thanks for sharing such a great pattern!
Hi – Brilliant pattern but I’m missing something here. In step 2 you say to tack the top of the fur in place in 2 -3 spots. But when does this top part actually get sewn “properly” in? I don’t see it in the steps. Thanks if you can help! Paula
Thanks for these patterns! Is there an inch measurement for the adult caps? The ones I need to make are for 20 inch head size. I don’t know if this is Adult Large or Adult Medium.
Thanks for your help!
Adult
Small 20 inches or 50.8 cm
Medium 22 inches or 55.88 cm
Large 24 inches or 60.96cm
I absolutely love this pattern. I made in our school colors. I think my grand children and great grand children are going to love them. Thank you so much. 12/17/13
At the end you made a comment saying to sew around the outside of hat when all done. What would the seam allowance be? And is this how the hole is closed (that was used to turn it right side out?) or do you hand stick it closed? Thank you-
I used a quarter inch seam allowance and that should be enough to close the gap.
thank you so much. hope to manage after your kind explaations,dear Angel
Can our quilt club use your pattern to make trapper hats for homeless vets?
Absolutely – if you’re sewing for charity you are welcome to make multiple copies.
Hello Angel. Just want to say thank you for making this pattern so easy to access, understand and use. I’ve just made one entirely in black fur with ears for my daughter to wear in her school Christmas play (she’s one of the Three Bears) and will be making two more for her fellow bears. From research to finishing my daughter’s took about 90 minutes! Fantastic. Thank you so much.
Susanne
PS: I live in Scotland so we will be celebrating St Andrew’s day this weekend coming which will coincide with your Thanksgiving. I hope you and your family have a great time.
How wonderful! So happy you had success with your projects. 🙂
I realize that this is an older post, but when I click on the pattern for the child SMALL, it gives me the child LARGE. Is there a way to get the child SMALL pattern? Thank you so much!
Hi Becky,
I just checked it on desktop and it’s correct. Maybe try a different browser?