Looking to keep your ears toasty warm in the winter cold snaps? Then I have two easy DIY ear-warmers for you to have a go at making. Keep reading to see how to make a DIY ear warmer headband and DIY earmuffs.

The weather took a turn for the worse last week with quite a bit of snow covering up here in Leeds. So, I thought it would be wise to invest in making my own DIY ear-warmers to keep my ears toasty in these cold snaps.

Now, these projects go hand-in-hand (pardon the pun) with making your own DIY hand warmers too. Perfect makes to keep you nice and warm.
Both of these projects will keep your ears warm but are two different styles. One as a headband style and the other as earmuffs.

The material that each project are made from is scrap from an upcoming sewing project. You will need fleece or warm type material with some stretch to make both projects. It is especially important to have stretchy material for the headband so that it can be stretched to wear but regain it’s shaping when unworn.

If you prefer the headband style you can jump to the section here. If you prefer the earmuff style then you can jump to the project here.
You can also find the video version at the end of the post too!

DIY Ear-Warmers | Headband Style

This DIY ear-warmer headband uses a sewing pattern to make it. The pattern is a free download by Ellie&Mac. They have tonnes of fabulous sewing patterns, some free and others at great prices. Now, these patterns are download and print at home style. This means that you print the pattern and then piece it all together using a guide to do so. With this pattern not being too large, it is easy enough to put together.

I will show you my process of sewing the headband together, as the top front of the headband has a knot. Once you know how to assemble it, it is not as complex as it appears but is super effective.

What you need:

To make this DIY ear-warmer headband, you will need the following items.
Some items on this list are affiliate links and are marked with an asterisk (*). This means that I may earn a commission, should you make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you.

• Ellie&Mac Ear Warmer Headband Pattern
• Fleece fabric with stretch
• Sewing pins or clips*
• Fabric Scissors
• Matching cotton thread
• Sewing Machine* – This is what I use (Singer Promise 1409)

Step 1 – Prep and Cut Material

As with any sewing project you should always prep your material. To do this pop it in the wash and allow it to dry before giving it a press with the iron. This will allow you to see how the material reacts to being washed and any shrinkage of the material. You don’t want the headband shrinking or misshaping after it has been sewn.
If you are using scraps, then hopefully all this prep was done on previous projects.

Test the stretch to the material and which way it stretches. You want the stretch to be most lengthways of the pattern, as this will allow the headband to be taken on/off more easily. You also want to make sure the material goes back to its original state when the stretch reduced.

Place the pattern piece horizontally with the stretch, ensuring you are following the guidance on the pattern piece. Pin and cut out the material.

Step 2 – Sew the Basic Structure

Once cut out, it is time to head to the sewing machine. As this is a stretch material a stretch stitch is needed. On the sewing machine I use (linked above), it does not have the stretch stitch option. So, this is where the zig-zag stitch comes in. Reduce it to a smaller stitch size, I change mine to 2 on the dial. It is best to test which size is best on a scrap piece before sewing on the actual headband.

Then fold the headband piece in half lengthways, so that the raw edges are meeting right sides together. Sew along this edge to connect together. This should give you the headband shape, just inside out and not connected. The DIY ear-warmer headband is now taking shape.

Step 3 – Sew the Front Knot

This step can seem a little complicated, however, once you know the steps it is super simple. Not only that but it gives the headband a lovely knot appearance on the front.

Firstly, turn the headband right side out and press the seams/piece flat. Once pressed, lay flat and take the left-hand end folding this in half lengthways. Place a pin in the middle fold, unfolding so the pin is in the middle. Lay this piece back flat.
On the right-hand side, place a pin in the top corner and bring this down, crossing the middle of the headband. Then, flip this so the pin goes to the bottom and line this up with the middle pin of the opposite side. I found that moving the twist further down the headband helps to lay this flat together. Don’t worry the twist will be in the right place once sewn.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Then take the bottom corner and fold it to the middle pin, followed by the top corner into the middle. You should have a few layers of the material not. Pin this in place and head to the sewing machine.

• 

• 

Sew a seam across the raw edge to secure all together.

Step 4 – Turn Knot and Wear

All that is left to do is fold the newly sewn seam to the back (right side out) and the DIY ear-warmer headband is ready to wear and keep your ears nice and toasty warm.

So, that is the first of the DIY ear-warmers complete, and now moving onto the second style.

DIY Ear-Warmers | Ear-Muffs

This style works brilliantly if you do not want to mess our hair with a headband or hat, but still, keep your ears warm. The humble ear-muff. Now, these are really easy to make and much easier than you may think.

You can use the same type of material as the previous DIY ear-warmer project. Something warming like fleece, with a slight stretch.

What you need:

To make the DIY earmuffs, you will need the following items.
I use a sewing machine mainly to make these, however you could handstitch if you desire.

• Fleece/warm material
• Batting or protective pillowcase
• Toy or Pillow Stuffing*
• Flexible headband*
• Matching thread
• A circular object like a large lid
• Fabric marker or chalk
• Sewing Machine
• Hand sewing needle
• Measuring tape
• Fabric scissors

Step 1 – Prep and cut fabric

Again, as before, make sure the material has been washed dried and pressed before use.
Then, take a circular item, such as a large lid or miniplate and place it onto the material. You want the circular item to be about as big as you want the earmuffs to be. After marking, grab a tape measure and mark 1cm all the way around to extend the circle by this much.
Repeat and cut out 4 of these in the fleece fabric. You also want to mark and cut 4 identical out of the batting material. I like to use protective pillowcases for batting, mainly because you can purchase them cheaply at pound shops! My DIY Planner Pouch uses the same method of protective pillowcases.

You also want to measure the length of your chosen headband. Use a measuring tape starting at one end of the headband, and follow the cure around to the opposite side. Then, add on 2cm of each end to give you the length needed. Mine measured 38cm, however adding the extra cms increased this to 42cm.
Cut a strip at whatever length you got by 4cm wide. I also cut a length in the batting, however this makes the headband tube too thick once sewn, so ignore the batting in the picture below.

Step 2 – Create layers and Sew

When you have cut everything out it is time to get sewing. Place the strip of material to one side, as the two earmuff pieces will be created first.

Select two of the main fabric, placing these right sides together. On top of these, place two of the batting pieces. You should have a nice layer sandwich of two fleece material and two batting material. Pin in place if you like and then head to the sewing machine.

Sew all four layers together using a stretch stitch or small zig-zag (like the first DIY ear-warmers project). Make sure to leave a gap at the top of the circle of a few centimetres, so that this can be turned right side out. Repeat the process with the remaining earmuff half.

Whilst the sewing machine is out, fold the strip of material that was set aside in half, lengthways. Pin the raw edges together and then sew a seam along this edge.
Place a safety pin in one end and turn the tube right side out. Push the safety pin through the inside, and as it is joined to the material, it should help bring the material through the middle.

Step 3 – Stuff and Sew

Now that everything is mainly sewn together it is time to form the earmuffs.
Start by turning the earmuff pieces right side out, so that the batting is inside. Then using the pillow or toy stuffing, begin stuffing the earmuff pieces. You want to make sure this is evenly distributed throughout the earmuff pieces. Try not to overstuff, as this can make the earmuffs too bulky, and difficult to sit on your ears. Repeat this for both sides.

Take the newly sewn tube (turned right side out) and thread the chosen headband through. Ensure the material is equal on both ends.

Place one earmuff piece on one end of the headband where the opening is, pushing the headband down into the stuffing. You want to make sure the headband is far enough in so that the earmuffs can be worn on the ears. This can take a bit of trial and error, so keep checking it is in the right place for you.

Use a hand sewing needle to close up the gap and attach to the fabric around the headband. You can do this with an invisible stitch/ladder stitch to keep the stitching concealed. Repeat on the opposite side, and the DIY Earmuffs are complete!

How easy are they to make? Let me know in the comments below which style you prefer and would have a go at making. I love both designs, and can’t choose a favourite!

DIY Ear-Warmers Video

Here is the video version of this post. Some steps needed for making the headband style may be easier to watch than see in picture form! Don’t forget to like the video if you have enjoyed, as well as subscribing to my channel!

DIY Ear-Warmers | Pin It!

If you enjoyed this post and projects, why not pin and save for later?

• 

• 

•