DEW RAG PATTERN

Welcome ... As most know, a dew rag is a head covering. There are a few different spellings for dew rag. It may be "dew" rag if you consider it will absorb the sweat on your brow or keep moisture from your hair. It may be "doo" rag when your hairdo isn't cooperating, you can use a doo rag to cover it. It may also be spelled "do" rag or "du-rag".

For this Dew Rag Pattern ... We will use the Dew Rag spelling. Despite the spelling of the word, these dew rags are becoming very popular among chemo-therapy patients, athletes, motorcycle riders, those with long hair to keep it out of their face and many others. The Dew rag is used in place of a hair net or to keep cornrows, waves or other hair styles from being disturbed during sleep.

These Dew rags are a great Birthday or Christmas gift as well. Let's look into how to make a Dew Rag for yourself or as a gift for a friend or loved one, with this free Dew Rag pattern shall we?

Dew Rag Pattern materials you will need to learn how to make a dew rag:

Sewing Machine

Pins

Scissors

40 inches of Fabric

Thread

Print the Dew Rag Pattern

Please read these directions before downloading.

The dew rag pattern fits on three pieces of standard or A4 copy paper.

Download the free Dew Rag pattern here.

Note: The sewing instructions on how to make a dew rag are not included on the pattern itself, they are only on this page.

Print out the dew rag pattern. Cut out the dew rag pattern on the solid lines and along the straight dotted lines. Tape the three pieces of the Top/Tail piece together matching the dotted lines. There is no overlapping, simply put the pattern pieces edge to edge on the straight dotted lines and tape, matching the solid outside lines and the straight grain of fabric guide line. You will notice that one corner of the pattern piece at point B did not print out completely. Simply pencil it in to match the opposite side point B.

Cutting the Fabric to learn how to make a dew rag:

Tip: If you have a pattern that you use often, try making your pattern pieces out of a strong quality paper towel. The paper towel is easily pinned through onto your fabric and doesn't rip like paper does when pinned through repeatedly for multiple uses. Another option is to glue your paper pattern sheets onto lightweight cardboard, then cut out the pieces. Place the pattern pieces on your fabric and trace around them with a fabric marking pen.

This pattern allows for ½ inch seams. The seam allowance is already figured into the pattern, so there is no need to adjust or add any seam allowance to it. Lay out your pattern with the arrows on the pattern pieces in line with the straight grain of fabric. You will be cutting one Top/Tail piece. You will be cutting two side pieces, and one should be the reverse of the other, so when you lay out your two layers of fabric for the side pieces, they should be with either the right sides of the fabric facing one another or the wrong sides of the fabric facing one another.

Cut out the pattern along the solid outside lines.

Clip ½ inch along the dotted line from the edge of the fabric to the dot labeled C.

Sewing the Dew Rag

Note: While learning how to make a dew rag, if you believe that the wearer of your new dew rag has a large head, you may want to wait until you sew the two side seams together and give it a try on before applying an applique because it may need some extra fabric that will go smack dab underneath where the applique goes. However, if you believe that the recipient of this dew rag has a fairly normal sized noodle and you would like to add an applique to your dew rag, now is the best time. You can also cross stitch a design with waste canvas or machine embroider a design on the tail. Be sure that you leave ample room (½ inch all around) for hemming the tail. On the pattern download there is a cross and a dove which you can choose from or use your own design. A contrasting fabric will show off your applique nicely.

Side Seam (Seam AB): Note: You may find it easiest to stitch with the concave edge (top/tail piece) on top so plan ahead when pinning so that your pins are easier to remove when stitching. With right sides together, pin one side piece to the top/tail piece from point A to point B easing in the fullness around the curve.

Stitch together with a ½ inch seam, locking the stitching at both ends. Repeat with the other side. Now is the best time to try your dew rag on for size.

Put in on inside out and if it is too large, pin it where you want your new seam line to be. Carefully now! Sew new side seam lines where you pinned, remembering to lock the stitching at both ends and you're ready to continue experiencing how to make a dew rag.

If your dew rag is too small you can cut out a piece of fabric the length of the dew rag from the tip of the tail to the middle of the forehead (point F on your pattern piece) and add a strip of fabric the length of the cut and whatever width it will take to make it big enough. Take into consideration that you will be sewing two ½ inch seams to add in the extra fabric and your tail point will now be squared off (well, flattened with angles). Remember to lock the ends of your stitching. If you want to add an applique, now is the easiest time.

Zig-zag or overcast the edges of the seams.

Side/Back Hem: Turn the fabric under ½ inch from C to D turning seam AB toward the side piece and finger press (crease the fold with your fingernail).

Turn under ½ inch again and pin.

Notice that the seam line doesn't line up perfectly on the wrong side when you turn it under.

Stitch from C to D on each side of the tail, locking the stitching at the beginning and end.

Tail Hem: Fold fabric under and press along fold line at the tip of the tail.

Fold under ½ inch from tip of tail to point E on each side and press. Fold under ½ inch again from tip of tail to point E on each side and press.

This creates a nice finished tip on the tail. Turn the fabric under ¼ inch from point E on one side of the tail to point C and press. Notice that the entire side of the hat is flipped over.

Turn under again and press.

Now flip the side of the hat back over and pin.

Note: This will create a pleat on each side of the tail and will also enclose any raw edges of material where you clipped from the edge of the fabric to point C. Repeat on the other side. Do yourself a HUGE favor now and hand baste the hem.

This will save your hands from getting stabbed with pins while you're trying to learn how to make a dew rag and maneuver the turns under your sewing machine needle. Stitch your hem close to the edge from point C on one side of the tail all the way around to point C on the other side, locking the stitching on both ends. The next photo shows the stitching line indicated in yellow.

The next photo shows the right side of the fabric after the tail hem is stitched.

Band and Ties: Turn under ½ inch on the two short ends of the band and ties piece and press. Turn under ½ inch on one long edge of the band and ties piece and press.

Fold the band and ties piece of fabric in half (long ways) to find the center and mark it.

Pin right side of band and ties piece to wrong side of hat, matching the center of the band and ties piece to point F on the top/tail piece and turning seams AB to the side piece.

Stitch ½ inch seam from point D on one side to point D on the other side, locking the stitching at both ends.

Turn under ½ inch on the remaining edges of the band and ties piece and press.

Fold the band and ties piece over the seam and pin.

Top stitch from one end of the band and ties to the other, close to the edge.

The completed dew rag.

Now you know how to make a dew rag with this dew rag pattern. If you know someone who would like this, please pass on a link to this Dew Rag pattern or feel free to include a link on your website:

https://www.christianityoasis.com/crafts/dewrag.htm

God Bless.