DIY Kids Gaiter (aka cozy neck warmer)

Back in the day I used to do a lot of DIY tutorials around here. It’s been awhile since I walked you though one and after sharing it on IG & getting some “yes, please teach me!” feedback–I thought I would do a super simple one. I love easy projects. & this is such a great one for this time of year!

DIY gaiter by styleberry3

It’s cold out & the kids want to play outside. Their little faces get cold despite all the bundling & I don’t know about you–but I am not a big fan of scarves for kids. All that extra fabric and years of preaching “don’t tie ANYTHING around your neck” led me to a better option. Could I buy one? Sure. Maybe that’s what works for you. Go for it! But just as all my sewing projects come to be, I arrived here out of necessity. Do I love sewing? NO. But… (a) I couldn’t find the color I (they) wanted & (b) I could make it waaaaay cheaper than I could buy it. & I need a few. Quickly. So here’s how we did it!*

*I am a self taught sew-er and I am sure there is a better way to do this/explain this, but this is my version!

DIY gaiter by styleberry

DIY KIDS GAITER

Supplies

  • fleece: I found ours on sale super cheap at Hobby Lobby (check the remnants bin!) & I bought 1/2 yard for each child. I let them choose their own patterns so they’d be able to pick them out of the pile of snow gear at school
  • thread
  • sewing machine
  • measuring tape
  • scissors
  • pins

Directions

  1. Cut fabric into a rectangle.
    • For my 3yo, I cut a 17″ x 21″ rectangle
    • For my 6yo, I cut a 19″x 22″ rectangle
  2. Fold fabric in half, so the short (17/19″) sides are touching, right sides together. This will be the seam up the back of the neck, as the longer length will make the circle around your child’s neck.
  3. Sew down the short side. Double check that the right sides are together before you sew.
  4. Now fold your “donut” so the seam you just sewed is half on the inside, half on the outside of your folded donut. (It kind of looks like a tortellini) The ends of the seam you just sewed will touch, causing the fabric to be open on one side and seamless on the top, where it will touch your child’s face.
  5. Check to make sure you can get the “donut” over your child’s head.
  6. Now it’s time to sew it shut.
  7. Fold the unfinished fabric under, top and bottom. Pin both folded sides together, as pictured. DIY gaiter by styleberry2
  8. Sew up this seam. I used a zig zag stitch on my machine for this part & pulled the stretchy fleece fabric a bit as I went, so it was a little wider at the bottom than the top, for ease of getting over heads.

There you have it! Now my kiddos are ready for their winter adventures! I spent $1.85 on each half yard of fabric–from which I can get 2-3 gaiters– making these workhorses well under a dollar each. Since noses get extra snotty when it’s cold, it’s awesome to always have a clean one on hand.

DIY gaiter by styleberry4

Any questions?

Oh, & we made the headband she is wearing too! Click here for the DIY Non Slip Headband. :)

Happy sewing!!

Hi! Hello! I am Shawna, the founder of Styleberry Blog. This creative corner of the internet has become a learning haven for moms and creatives, offering a warm and encouraging nudge to those who wish to be better and do better, but often don't know where to start. From Decorating to DIY to Diapers and Paleo-ish Dishes, I strive to make the complicated simple and empower women to take action beyond their personal comfort zone. I subscribe to the Shine Theory & so strongly believe that we shine when the women around us shine and mutual support—lifting up instead of tearing down--will always be the culture here. Are you in? I hope so! Beyond the computer, I run Styleberry Creative where I work with clients to create low fuss, high function spaces that are pretty and practical in San Antonio, Texas and beyond. I LOVE making a house a home. My own studs out renovation is now complete and I am now back to working with clients. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you'd like to work together! I hope you’ll join me on this fun new adventure! Xo.

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