How to Make a Neck Gaiter: Tips for Making a Neck Gaiter DIY


Making a neck gaiter may seem challenging initially, but it is a more straightforward process than you might realize. Especially with the help of the experts here at Deco Slides. 

Creating a neck gaiter from scratch requires experience with sewing. For some people, this could be the opportunity they’ve been waiting for to set aside time to add sewing to their skillset. For others, this could be the ultimate deterrent to learning how to make a neck gaiter if they don’t have the time, materials, or energy to set aside to take up the task. 

The good news? If you decide that making your own neck gaiter is too much work, you can bring one to life with ease on our website. It takes just a few moments, it’s affordable, and the end result is a work of art.

Nevertheless, we’ll teach you how to make a neck gaiter with an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide! First things first - can you make your own neck gaiter DIY in the first place?

Can You Make Your Own Neck Gaiter DIY?

Making a DIY neck gaiter is possible without buying from a store. But first, it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons of making your own neck gaiter to align your expectations of the process. 

Pros of Making Your Own Neck Gaiter 

There are desirable pros to making a neck gaiter for yourself. You can control the project's overall budget, the materials' selection and quality, and the design that best appeals to you. 

If you’re low on time and need to assemble a DIY neck gaiter as soon as possible, then knowing how to make your own neck gaiter can be useful. Waiting on a neck gaiter to ship can be inconvenient, depending on the company you buy from. This is especially so if you’re a last-minute shopper and urgently need the neck gaiter’s protection from the elements. 

Cons of Making Your Own Neck Gaiter 

Making a neck gaiter can be difficult if you don’t have any experience creating one, so if you don’t know how to sew. 

Sewing is an essential step for making a DIY neck gaiter. If you don’t know how to sew or have anyone to teach or guide you along the process, you may find making your own neck gaiter out of your league. If you are in a rush to get a neck gaiter for a trip, it is more likely to be a hassle and a stressor to quickly learn how to make a neck gaiter that fits just right. 

Sometimes a better alternative is to buy a neck gaiter from a company that makes quality neck gaiters designed for distinct purposes like protection from the sun in hot weather to keep the neck and face warm in the winter. 

How to Make a Neck Gaiter: Step-by-Step DIY Neck Gaiter Guide

Want to know how to make a neck gaiter? Follow our step-by-step guide for the best way to make a DIY neck gaiter! 

Gather Your Materials

The first step to make your own neck gaiter is to gather your materials. Pick out the fabric that best suits your desired functions of the neck gaiter. For example, lightweight materials like spandex or polyester will be ideal for a neck gaiter used in the summer to shield the skin from the sun and wick sweat away. 

The fabric should have stretch, both vertically and horizontally. This is necessary for the final product of the neck gaiter to be adjustable to different stylings, whether it be pulling it over the head to wear as a scarf or to cover the head in the balaclava style. 

Other materials needed include:

  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Thread
  • Pins
  • Measuring tape
  • Iron & ironing board

It’s recommended to prewash and dry your fabric before getting to the nitty gritty of cutting and sewing the fabric.

Measure and Cut the Fabric

The next step for making a neck gaiter is to measure and cut the fabric. Measure 17" x 18.5" from the selected fabric and cut it out with the scissors. 

Prepare the Fabric

Now it's time to prepare the fabric for sewing.

Fold the 18.5" portion of the fabric in half. Make sure the sides with the designs face each other. Then, pin the 17” sides together.

The gaiter should be 9.25" x 17" when folded and pinned together, with the 9.25" portions being the openings. 

Sew the Fabric

The fabric should be prepped for sewing at this stage. Use a straight stitch to sew the pinned edge together. Ensure that you backstitch the beginning and end. 

Next, flip the open edge over to have about one inch on both sides. Pin them down, then zigzag stitch them together. 

Do not sew the openings closed. You will need them open for a successful result. You should have a tube-looking finished product.

Try On Your Gaiter and Make Adjustments

Pull the neck gaiter on to make sure everything fits comfortably. You may have to remove the stitchings or measure a new piece of fabric if it fits too snugly or loosely. 

Finishing Touches

Trim any loose threads that are hanging loose using the scissors. Then, shift the neck gaiter so it's right side out. Slip over your head to ensure everything is snug and you don’t see any excess fabric, loose ends, or threads hanging out.

Care and Maintenance of Your DIY Neck Gaiter

Proper care and maintenance of your DIY neck gaiter can ensure it retains its quality, appearance, and design as long as possible. 

A minimal-effort method of cleaning your neck gaiter is putting it in the washer. Set the washer to a delicate cycle with cold water to wash the neck gaiter to prevent damage. Do not use fabric softener or bleach as this will damage the neck gaiter. 

Dry your neck gaiter by setting the dryer to low heat. 

Handwashing the neck gaiter is another option. Use lukewarm water and mild detergent to clean the neck gaiter. Then air dry your neck gaiter, but not in direct sunlight. 

Want to Save Yourself the Time and Hassle of Making a DIY Neck Gaiter?

Do you want to save yourself the time and hassle of making a DIY neck gaiter? We have the answer to your search for a high-quality neck gaiter below! 

Effortlessly Bring Your Vision to Life at Deco Slides!

Decide the function and design of your neck gaiter with Deco Slides’ custom neck gaiters!

Deco Slides offers a customizable feature to design your neck gaiter while maintaining quality and functionality. Pick between lightweight, midweight, or heavyweight neck gaiters, depending on your needs. For example, the lightweight neck gaiter is a breathable, moisture-wicking material perfect for summer to protect the skin from the sun’s harsh rays. 

Plus, at Deco Slides, we offer different sizes for easy customization for everyone. If you’re looking for neck gaiters for the family, then Deco Slides is where you can buy a neat, personable gift for everyone! 

Why Shop With Us?

We are dedicated to quality materials, quick shipping, and effortless customization using our design tool. The fabric used for our neck gaiters provides UPF 50+ UV protection to ensure your skin is safe from the elements. And as a bonus, we offer free shipping for all orders shipped in the United States!

Deco Slides doesn’t stick to just neck gaiters. We sell the most comfortable slides that are also customizable and made with quality materials. Check out our blog for tips on how to style slides for a fashionably fresh and comfortable look!

How it Works

Our design tool for our Deco Slides custom neck gaiters is super easy to use!

You can upload an image or design of your choosing. Or pick a color or design from the provided palette option. There is also an “add text” feature to liven things up for your custom-made neck gaiter. 

Click the 3D preview to see what your neck gaiter design will look like. This option is also great if you add text to ensure everything aligns properly. Select the size and material for your neck gaiter after you’ve figured out the design portion. 

It’s that easy! 

Parting Thoughts on How to Make a Neck Gaiter

This article guided you on how to make a neck gaiter with step-by-step instructions detailing the process. There are pros and cons to creating a DIY neck gaiter. One of the biggest cons is knowing how to sew to make a neck gaiter; only some have the experience or equipment. 

Deco Slides offers a simple-to-use design tool for customizable neck gaiters without compromising quality or value in materials and design. You can save yourself the hassle of making a neck gaiter at home with our quick and easy neck gaiter-building tool with free shipping in the United States. Add our custom slide sandals for a comfy and fashionable bonus to your order for the ultimate purchase. 

Design your neck gaiter at Deco Slides and save money with free shipping today!