DIY Scrub Cap

I've had a few people request the pattern I used to make my scrub caps, so I logged into my old, neglected (read too tired to photograph my food before eating and falling into bed) blog to provide a pictorial of the pattern I am using.

My four-year-old makes a much cuter picture 😉

There were two patterns I used online as the starting point for this pattern. A shout out to the following people for sharing their patterns:

https://www.slideshare.net/larissanichols9/scub-caps-how-to-diy-tu

( The second link is not responding. I'll edit and re-post when it's working.)

I found the first pattern was much too small for my head and the second one was much too large. The one I designed is somewhere in between the two. I made - and trashed - three caps before I got the right fit. I say this to warn you that everyone's head is a different size so you might have to juggle with the sizing based on your skull and how much hair to have to tuck inside the cap.

Browsing in a fabric store for cute or cool fabric prints is not an option for me today, since I nearly had my head chewed off at the grocery store yesterday because I didn't see a lady BEHIND ME with her shopping cart. Eyes in the back of my head is not my super power. End of rant. I found some
fabric scraps from past projects for my scrub caps and had no fabric left for this impromptu tutorial. Thanks, cute three-year-old for donating one of your old crib sheets.  Drool stains free of charge 😝. Only a few small tears were shed as she watched me rip up her sheet. This particular fabric was a little too thin so I made this cap with a double layer of fabric. I've included instructions for this as well. If you have a nice sturdy fabric, you can skip those steps. If you're using new fabric, please and wash and tumble dry your fabric before proceeding; otherwise, it will shrink the first time you wash your cap and then you'll be disappointed if it doesn't fit.

I printed off a grid so you can see the exact size. I used construction paper to make the templates. Card stock would work also. Or an empty cereal box.

 In case you can't decipher the scribbles on that first template, the size is 21" long and 6.5" high; the tie end is 2". Midway between the top and bottom of the curve you can put a little mark on your fabric if you like. I usually just eyeball it.

 Place the templates on the fabric that has been folded right sides together. Please note where the fold should be and make sure you have it right before you cut it! Use a fabric pencil or marker and trace each template onto the fabric and cut them out.

 This is what your fabric pieces will look like after they are cut:

If you are doubling your fabric to make a sturdier cap, cut out two identical copies of each template. Put the fabric pieces WRONG sides together and pin them.

Only do this if you are double layering your fabric; otherwise skip this step.

Baste the two pieces together with a straight stitch or basting stitch. Stitch close to the edge so you won't see these stitches in your final product.

Only do this step if you are double layering your fabric; otherwise skip this step.

 If you've doubled your fabric, you'll end up with two right sides. Choose a side to be the right side and wrong side. In my case, I chose the side with the least amount of drool stains 😬.

 On the larger piece of fabric where it curves downward, halfway between, press a seam allowance from there to the end. Do this on both ends.

 On the smaller piece of fabric, press a 1/4" seam and then another 1/2" seam. This is the casing for the elastic.

First fold

Second fold + a 3" piece of elastic.

 Using a zig zag stitch, sew the curve to reinforce this part of the cap.

Sew the elastic casing using a straight stitch. I experimented leaving out the elastic. I don't recommend it.

 Take the elastic and insert a safety pin on one end.

Insert the elastic into the casing. 

When the end of the elastic is flush with the opening, stitch it in place.

The elastic with the safety pin is hiding inside.

Pull the elastic through to the opposite end and secure with a pin.

 Stitch the elastic to the end.

Going back to the other piece of fabric, press a seam allowance across the bottom edge.

One each tie end, fold twice and press.

Fold up the bottom edge and pin. This forms the two ties and the bottom edge of the cap that sits closest to you face.

This is what it looks like when you're finished pinning:

Sew a straight stitch all the way across as shown below:

Sew another straight stitch all along the bottom edge:

Mark the centre of top of each piece of fabric. (The opposite end of what has already been sewn).

Pin the two pieces RIGHT sides together:

This is what it looks like when you're all done pinning: 

Sew the two pieces together using a straight stitch. If you doubled your fabric, make sure your stitching inside that seam so you won't see it in the finished product.

Then go over your seam with a zig zag. Then if you're ambitious, iron the seam flat to one side.

And there you have it!

 Good luck everyone and stay safe! We got this!