Updated Chemo Cap–Head Scarf Tutorial

One of the very first tutorials I ever wrote was the Chemo- Cap head Scarf Tutorial.
I am overjoyed (and humbled) by the response this tutorial has received! I am grateful for the wonderful people who have taken the time to write to me and share their personal stores.
Cancer affects us all; I feel so blessed to have been presented with this opportunity to help others.
{Please click here to view the original version and read why I create these caps}

Over the last two years, I have had the pleasure of assisting many people in making these caps.
It brings me great joy to help someone create one of these lovely caps for someone they love.
These caps are very simple to create (even if you’ve never sewn before!) – I encourage you to give it a try!
If you have any questions with any step along the way, please email me!

Here is the updated (hopefully even easier to follow!) Chemo Cap Head Scarf Tutorial:


Materials:
  • 1/3 Yard Polyester Fabric or light-weight jersey knit for the scarf
  • 1/3 Yard Ribbed Knit Fabric for the band
*This cap will need to be machine sewn. The only tools required are scissors (or rotary cutter) and your sewing equipment. Please sew with a 1/2 in seam.

Cutting Guideline:


Cut 1 for Scarf (LxW)Cut 1 for Band (LxW)
Child Size Cap 33 inches x 10.5 inches 18 inches x 4 inches
Adult Size Cap 44 inches x 12.5 inches 21 inches x 6 inches

{FYI: The photos used for this tutorial were taken while making a child’s size cap, from jersey knit}

Directions:
1. Cut and prep your scarf piece -
Each cap is made by assembling two pieces; piece “a” is the scarf and piece “b” is the band.


Start by creating your scarf.
Cut one rectangle piece of scarf fabric, according to the chart above. Gently round all four corners.
If you are using jersey knit for your scarf – congrats; your scarf piece is complete! :) If you are using polyester fabric for your scarf; you will next finish the edges of the scarf piece with a rolled hem.


Your scarf piece is complete! :)

2. Cut and prep your band-
Cut one piece of ribbed knit 21 inches x 6 inches.
Create a tube by sewing the two short ends together (right sides touching).
Next, fold the tube in half (long sides touching) and sew closed.


Your band is complete! :)

3. Assembling your cap -
Your silky scarf fabric should be one large rectangle. With the right side of the fabric facing up;  one of the long edges is the "top line" and the opposite long edge is the "bottom line"  - to attach the scarf to the band, you first sew the center 2.5 inches of the bottom line of the scarf fabric to the back center of the band. Attach the fabric so the right side of the fabric is facing the outside of the band. 
Once that is sewn, you are finished with the “bottom” line of the silky fabric.


Next, attach the “top” line of the silky fabric to the remainder of the band. Again, sewing so that the right side of the silky fabric is facing the outside side of the band. You want to make sure the entire band is attached to the silky fabric. The bottom line of silky fabric will only be attached to the back of the band, the remainder of the band is attached to the top line of your silky scarf fabric.



Once the entire band is attached to the scarf, you have created a cap with two long tails.
Gather these tails at the nape of your neck and gently tie them together to finish your cap.


If you make a cap using this tutorial, I’d love to see your work!
This tutorial is for personal use only. Please do not sell caps for profit.
Please DO use this tutorial and make caps for anyone who needs them!
Make scarfs to donate to your local hospitals and clinics!
Make scarfs to give away to patients who would love one, but can't afford one.
Spread the love! :)
If you have any questions with any step along the way, please email me!



I’m sharing this tutorial on these great sites:
Tatertots and Jello, Blue Cricket Designs
If you’re visiting from one of these parties, please leave me a comment and let me know! :)

7 comments:

Erin Knight said...

Michelle, great job with the new instructions. You helped me a month or so ago and I've since made quite a few for a dear friend. Such a wonderful tutorial and so kind of you to share!

Tammy R said...

Thank you so much. I was diagnosed in Nov and will start chemo next week and am expecting my hair to fall out on Jan 22! I too searched for scarves and was shocked by the price... If I can't figure it out on my own (I'm still a beginner at sewing) my friend's mom has offered to help me out (she is much more skilled with the sewing machine). Thanks again for sharing!

Darci J. Harland said...

I just wanted to share how much I LOVE this tutorial. This was the only one I found that was easy, AND had measurements for a child. My 13 year old niece has cancer and I was able to whip up 5 of these to give her at Christmas. She was just starting to lose her hair.

I blogged about this, and used your button to bring people back to your tutorial. Thanks so much!

http://www.stemmom.org/2013/01/diy-chemo-wrap.html

Darci the STEM Mom

Saxo Stamper said...

Thank you for this - my friend will loose her hair shortly through chemo and mentioned head scarves would love to make her some.

Wonderful

Thank you

Saxo Stamper said...

Today I enquired with a company to ask to purchase some of the fabric for the head bands. I asked if it would be suitable for a chemo cap. They immediately said yes and are sending it to me free of charge. The chap I was speaking to had lost his sister to cancer and said he knew how important something like this was. Human kindness at it's very best.

K

MaggieC said...

What an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing it with us. xx Maggie #42

Nancy Adele said...

Thank you for the tutorial -- I've made one and if my sister likes it and the measurements are right for her -- I will make many more. She starts her chemo in a week and we will be ready! Thanks again!!!