How to Make a Stylish Neck Gaiter

I have been wanting to create these cute neck gaiters for a long time. My inspiration were these Buffs from Sahalie called Winterized Bandanas. I thought I could make them much cheaper than the $28.50 they are charging. I wanted to use up my leftover fleece from the monster hats that I make. I found the stretchy polyester, at Joann for $3.00 a yard. The fabric is not the easiest to sew, but I’m proud of how well they turned out.

Gather Materials

Materials:

Polyester fleece or better yet, Bamboo fleece

Polyester stretchy patterned fabric (I found some $3.00 per yard stuff at Joann. It’s a

little difficult to sew, so I would recommend a better quality polyester.) I have not

been able to find patterned bamboo fleece.

Thread- I used cotton all-purpose, but polyester would probably be better.

Sewing Machine

A walking foot and a slight zigzag stitch when sewing the patterned fabric OR a knit stitch.

A nice sharp needle in your machine, especially for the double thickness version. Use a 1/2" seam allowance.

Size Chart:

Cut Fabric

Double Layer Version:

Cut fleece as shown using the size chart. Make sure that you have the stretch in the right direction. You’ll have a hard time getting it over your head otherwise.

Sew Fabrics Together

Line up wrong sides of fabric together with patterned fabric on top.

Sew a ½ inch seam using a slight zigzag stitch. (about 2.5 mm long and 2mm wide) Start sewing a little into the fleece and reverse so you don’t get the fleece stuck in the carriage of the machine.

Fold Up

Fold up the fleece from the bottom, hiding the patterned polyester inside. Turn to where you can see that first seam.

Finish Seam

Sew slightly to the left of the first stitching line.

Hide and Stitch

Hide the patterned fabric inside by moving it over and stitch along one end of your folded fleece.

Trim

Trim corners of fleece.

Turn

Turn inside out.

Make a Tube

Fold right sides together to get ready to make a tube. Put the seam side of the fleece on top of the open end and leave about a ½ of the under side sticking out to the right. You will need that extra fabric to create a nicer final seam to create the tube. Sew a 1” seam from the end of the fleece up to the top of the patterned fabric. Reverse a little at both ends, preventing the stitch from loosening up later.

Stitch and Trim

Line up your foot at the edge of the top patterned fabric. Sew to the right of your original seam using a reg. zigzag stitch to make a seam a little softer. Trim off the extra fabric underneath.

Turn

Turn right side out.

Stitch Fleece

Now you have the open end of the fleece and the seam end of the fleece with enough of the open ended fleece to overlap with the stitched side. Stitch with a straight stitch on top to attach.

You will not need to finish the edge of the top fabric because it will not fray.

Final Seam

Turn inside out and make another line of stitching to the left to anchor the seam. (2nd picture is the look of this seam from the outside.)

Single Layer Version: (much Easier)

1) Cut both fabrics into correct dimensions according to the chart. Make sure that you have the stretch in the right direction. You’ll have a hard time getting it over your head otherwise.

2) Hem the bottom of the fleece rectangle with about a ½” - ¾” fold. Start sewing a little into the fleece and reverse so you don’t get the fleece stuck in the carriage of the machine.

3) Line up wrong sides of fabric together with patterned fabric on top. Sew a ½ inch seam using a slight zigzag stitch. (about 2.5 mm long and 2mm wide)

4) Go back and fold the fleece over itself on the wrong side and stitch along with a straight stitch.

5) Fold the whole thing in half lengthwise, right sides together and sew to make a tube. Start at the fleece end using a straight stitch. Switch to the slight zigzag when you hit the patterned material.

6) Go back and stitch to the right of the original seam of the fleece and add a regular zigzag on the outside edge of the patterned fabric seam to make it a bit softer on the inside. You can leave the upper edge of the gaiter un-stitched because it won’t unravel.

How to Make a Stylish Neck Gaiter