Monday Morning Inspiration/Making The Bucket Hat

Whew, my posting has been kind of a nonexistent thing the past few days. But the break was good :)

I had promised last week to do a quick tutorial on how I put together the bucket hat from Lost In Paris. Super cute hat, great for throwing in your bag to have on hand for when you find yourself out in the sun and needing a little extra protection. As I said last week, I liked the pattern so much that I made up 2 hats. I especially like the reversible aspect of the hat.

Below is my basic denim hat.

Another denim hat, but this time in white with a fun travel print on the flip side. You can also play with the brim and give it a fedora look.

This is a one size hat pattern, so my recommendation is to cut out the side of the hat and slip it on. If it seems comfortable, you're good to go! 

To prepare the pattern, fold the crown in half and mark notches. Fold it in half again and mark notches. You will have notches for center front, center back and the sides.

Be sure to mark notches on the side of the hat as well as the brim.

Sew the crown to the side of the hat. All seam allowances are 1/2". Once the seam has been sewn, press open.

By pressing the seam open, the crown will lay much nicer.

Now sew the lining of the brim to the outside fabric, but only the bottom edge.

Trim the seam allowance to 1/4". Turn and press the edge.

Now sew the brim to the main body of the hat. Note that the lining is not included yet.

Now sew the crown to the side panels of the lining. Be sure to press the crown seam just as the did for the outer fabric. Slip the main body of the hat inside the lining of the top of the hat. Stitch around the hat leaving at least a 4" opening for turning.

Turn the hat right side out and slip stitch the opening closed. 

The hat will be secure when turned from one side to the other. 

This is a great project for anyone who is learning to sew. It makes up quickly and it's a project that insures success. And we all know, a first project really does need to be successful.

Just one last note before I go, I added a link to the Martha Stewart hat in last week's post. PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!! I once again downloaded the pattern hoping that they had corrected the mistakes. They have not. It's an awful pattern. Here's the link just so you'll know what I'm talking about.

Hope you have a chance to get "Lost In Paris" and have a little fun with a bucket hat. I think you'll love having one....or two or three :) to throw on.

Have a wonderful week!
Rhonda 

Monday Morning Inspiration/Hats For The Sun

On a recent visit to my dermatologist, we talked about the rise in skin cancer. He told me that when he was a student, melanoma was quite rare. He said that he sadly sees it every week now.

I have become vigilant about protecting my skin. Not only do I use sun block, I wear hats. Since we are talking about bathing suits with the current sew along over at Sew News, I thought it might be fun to take a look at a few hats. And even better, the patterns are free!!! 

While not a big brim, this hat that I made for a Thrifty Thursday post is super cute and does offer some shading on the face. You can see my post and find the pattern HERE.

Once again, not a large brim hat that offers a lot of protection, but this Newsboy Cap from Waffle Patterns is fun to wear, stores easily in your bag, and shades the face. You can find the post and a link to the pattern HERE. 

And we can't forget the baby, especially with their very sensitive skin. This little bonnet pattern from Purl Soho is perfect as it is also reversible. Make up a bunch to have on hand for baby showers. You can find a link to the free pattern HERE.

I have not made this pattern, but based on the beautiful results I had with the top pattern that I made about a month ago, I would recommend this Papavero hat pattern. You can find a link to the pattern HERE.  

I gave this pattern from Martha Stewart a try quite some time ago and did not have great results. But, I have read a few reviews that were very positive, so maybe they made some changes to the pattern. It offers a wider brim and is still very packable. I will give it another try later this week and get back to you on my results. Fingers crossed! If you are brave and would like to go ahead and give it a try, you can find the pattern HERE. It comes in adult and children sizes.

Although the hat below is on a child, it was made for an adult. The author of Sugar Cubes and Spice Cakes said that she is much more comfortable behind the camera. Why not when you have such cute models?!! Do pop over to her blog and check out the hat as it is adorable. The pattern is from Hot Patterns and you can find the free download HERE.

So cute for the beach, and offers lots of protection from the sun is this super cute, flower power hat from Very Purple Person. I have not made the hat, but my suggestion would be to do a muslin of the crown prior to cutting the hat out of your fashion fabric. You can try the crown on and decide if it works, or if a few adjustments need to be made. You can download the pattern for free HERE.  

Over the weekend I made up this hat and I loved it so much that I decided to make 2, one in regular denim and the other in white denim. The brim is not too large, but large enough to offer shading without restricting my view.
You can find the pattern HERE. The hat is reversible, so you'll get lots of use out of it. A little later today, I'll be back with pictures of me in the hat as well as a tutorial. The instructions are fine, but I will show you a little better way of making the hat. 

And last but not least, another hat for the baby, or toddler. I included this hat for 2 reasons, first of all I LOVE the stripes!!! I have to give this a try for myself. Second, I think the addition of the grosgrain tie is perfect and a great addition for a small child who would most likely take the hat off without the tie. But hey, I think I want one with a tie too!!! The pattern is from Shwin and Shwin and you can find the pattern HERE.

As you head out today, be sure and use that sun screen. It does no one any good sitting in the cabinet! And grab a hat, not only do they help to protect, they are fun to wear :)  

Thrifty Thursday

Well, I'm late once again. I started on a project early yesterday morning thinking that it would take just a few hours, and I would have it posted by noon. Obviously, that did not happen. Last night at 9:30, the project went in the garbage, and that's the last I'll say about that.

So on to a great little free pattern. Isn't this the cutest baby?!! This is from the blog by Purl Soho called The Purl Bee. If by chance you don't follow their blog, please check it out. I find it to be so lovely. They post lots of projects that are easy as well as useful. When I saw this pattern, I knew it was a must make. So many of my friends are having babies as well as grandbabies, and a little sun bonnet makes a great gift.

The two that I made are for a friend whose daughter is turning a year old soon. The bonnets are perfect for shading the sensitive skin of a baby.

The directions tell you to line the bonnets, but I decided to make mine reversible. Yes, those are airplanes on the blue bonnet. The baby's father is a pilot, so I had to do a little something for him!

 The visor can also be turned back.

I really enjoyed making the bonnets. There is no taping to the pattern, just print and go! You can find the pattern and instructions here,  http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2014/4/8/corinnes-thread-baby-sunbonnet.html

For the most part, I made the bonnet exactly as instructed. The instructions say to hand stitch the pleats into the back of the bonnet. I sewed small little squares instead.  

I also edge stitched the visor. The instructions also say to trim the interfacing, I did not. I used a lightweight cotton fusible for the visor. Worked just fine. The bonnet is not interfaced.
This is a great pattern to have on hand for impromptu baby gifts. The pattern is sized for 0-24 months. I made one of my bonnets in a size 12-18 months and the other in a size 18-24 months. I thought that as she grew, it would be nice to have a little larger bonnet.
Enjoy!
Rhonda