Beret Tutorial « Liesl Made

Beret Tutorial

Posted on August 7, 2006 by lieslree

Tutorial on how to make this 13″ lined Beret…

Cut 4 14″ circles– 2 from outside fabric and 2 from lining fabric.

Then cut a 5 1/2″ diameter circle in the center of one of each fabric types. These are the bottom peices.

Like this…

(I suggest starting small, maybe even a 5″ diameter circle, because you can always make it bigger. I first tried a 5″ diameter circle, but that was too small. With a 5 1/2″ circle, in the end, you’ll have a 20 1/2″ circumfrence opening. You can also add elastic if you want or if it ends up too big.)

With right sides together, pin the bottom peices (with the holes) together and stitch the inside rim with a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Cut notches to help ease it.

Flop it on your head to see if it’s a good fit…

If it too small sew another 1/4″ from the previous stitch line and cut the notches. (You can see I had to do that. )Keep testing until it fits right.

If it’s too big or if you simply want to you can add elastic. I didn’t put elastic in mine but I’ll explain how to in a minute.

Trim it down to 1/4″ seam allowance. Not that important, only if you want. But it does make it neater. (Trimming is only half done in the picture.)

And you can add a couple little notches to help the ease.

Next turn it right side out and press. Then stitch a 1/4″ or a 1/2″ seam allowance on the inside rim.

If you want elastic added, here’s where you do it. First of all, make it at least a 1/2″ allowance otherwise it’ll be difficult to get the elastic through. Then leave a 1″ or so opening in your stitch line to insert it. Using a saftey pin helps push it through. Then sew the ends of the elastic together so it stays in place. And finish up the stitch line so it’s nice and neat.

Then curse about all the lint the velvety fabric attracts. *hmph*

Now with the right sides together, pin outside fabric bottom (with the hole) to the outside fabric top (without the hole.) Then stitch 1/2″ seam allowance around outside edge. Be sure to keep the lining out of the way and not stitch through it.

Next do the same for the lining, with right sides together, attach the top piece to bottom piece and sew along outside edges, leaving a 3″ or so opening to turn it all inside out. Again, be sure not to stitch through outside fabric or you’ll have a funky looking hat.