Fleece Dinosaur Hats

This idea doesn't have much to do with Thanksgiving but it has everything to do with keeping warm. For past editions of the Winter Bazaar click the "craft" label link at the bottom of this post.

These fleece dinosaur hats don't take much material and they go together in about a half an hour once you've made the pattern so there isn't any excuse for the child in your life not to have the cutest headgear in the neighborhood. If, however, your pre-holiday hours are already spoken for you could visit my Etsy shop where I have extras on hand. If they sell out I can easily make more, I still have plenty of fleece just let me know.

Here is the pattern in a PDF file that you can click and view (download it by clicking the "download" link in the upper left corner). You will have to print it off then enlarge it by drawing a grid of one-inch squares on a large piece of newsprint (or by using wrapping paper that has a grid on the back) and transferring the pattern to the grid by hand. It takes a little time so don't throw away the pattern when you're done, you'll never know when you'll want to make another one.

You'll need:
2 16 X 19-inch pieces of fleece
1 21 X 13-inch piece of fleece
3 4 X 4-inch pieces of fleece
thread

1. Using your choice of brightly colored fleece (I used yellow, green, blue and red) cut out the pieces. Here's a hint: if you're making more than one, you'll need about 1/3 of a yard of each color and you can just cut out all the pieces in each color and then mix them up--saves time and then you don' t have to worry about running out of one particular color. But if you're only making one: from one 16 X 9-inch piece cut 1 tail section, 2 large fins, 2 2 X 12-inch straps. From the other 16 X 9-inch piece cut the other half of the tail and two large fins. From the 21 X 13-inch piece cut two hatband sections, 1 large fin and 1 small fin. From each 4 X 4-inch piece cut 1 large fin.

2. With right sides together, sew the one strap along its longest edge and around one of its short sides. Turn it inside out and repeat with the second strap. This is the hardest part because the fleece is so fat it's hard to turn inside out. If you have lighter weight fleece for the straps it helps though it's not critical.

3. With right sides together, sew the back edge of the hatband so that it makes a complete circle. Repeat with the second hatband. Then with right sides together and the straps laid in place at the ears and pointing inward, sew the liner to the headband along the bottom, curving edge but leaving the top open. Turn the headband right side out.

4. Take one side of the tail and with it lying on the table, lay the fins along the top edge, pointing inward and overlapping each other slightly. The smallest fin should be placed at the smallest end of the tail. Lay the right side of the other half of the tail on top and pin it in place then sew all around that long edge but leaving the tail open at the bottom. Be careful not to catch the tips of the fins with your stitch, you may have to fold the fins back and pin them out of the way.

5. With right sides together and easing the seams, sew the double thickness of headband to the tail. Turn right side out and stand back to admire your handiwork.

Okay, now it's your turn--what kinds of activities, crafts, games, recipes or fun do you have for winter? I'm looking forward to reading your wonderful ideas.



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