Floppy sun hat
9 July 2009, 10:50I had the itch and energy to sew on Monday (Day -2) so I spent a few hours working on my first activity pack. Because even after I get out, I’ll have to avoid all exposure to the sun for the next two years to avoid aggravating graft vs host (Gvh) disease, so I thought this wide brimmed, floppy sun hat from the May 09 Burda (#141) looked like a good way to ease myself back into sewing and eventually shield my face and shoulders from Mister Hurty McSunshine.
This hat pattern comes in two sizes – 56 or 58cm head circumference (I made the latter as I’ve got a fat head), and I really wanted to make sure the brim stayed nice and stiff to get the maximum shade, so I picked up some incredibly stiff fusible canvas the last time I was in MacCulloch & Wallis.
As you can see, both the brim and the cap keep their shape and bounce back after being folded, too! This hat can be styled as above for the “1970s garden party look”, or with the brim slightly folded up for a “wide sombrero” styling, or I’m even thinking I could do the “Thelma & Louise” look by tying a white gauzey scarf around and under my chin!
I opted to place the interfaced pattern pieces to the outside on this hat, as I figured it’d be a cleaner look, and also because the non-interfaced lining pieces would then be a bit softer on the head, too. I didn’t really use Burda’s instructions as I made this, but I do recall them saying to sew together three of the triangles, then sew the two halves together. But I thought that looked a bit crap in their hat photo as the points didn’t line up well, so I instead sewed the triangles together in pairs, pressed and clipped those seam allowances, then added another pair onto that until I had the full circle, paying very close attention to where the apex of the hat was.
I also chose to just attach the outside of the brim to both layers of the cap by machine, and then go through afterwards and hand tack the brim lining up over that seam allowance. If I was at home, I’d have probably done it all my machine with a bit of stitch in the ditch, but my little red machine has no speed control (the foot pedal’s just on/off) so I’d prefer to do precision work by hand.
Another change I made was to topstitch circles around the brim for added interest as well as keeping the stiff exterior and soft, floppy lining layers together:
As I mentioned earlier, I did all the cutting and fusing prep work a month and a half ago so all I’d have to do is open up the bag and start sewing, but I did require an iron, so James’s parents kindly lent me their tiny travel iron, which, when teamed with a folded towel for a makeshift ironing board, did a rather great job (no steam, but it got plenty hot enough).
All in all, I really like this hat. The shape of the cap is perfectly curved and not pointy in the slightest, and the brim is a great and really versatile width and level of incline. It was a quick project, but I do think half the success here lies in buying the correct interfacing, so I’d highly recommend waiting until you get the good stuff rather than just using whatever you’ve got on hand.
Hospital stuff: The above (Day -2) was a great day, then Day -1 was A Bad Day, and it took me all of Day Zero (yesterday) to claw back my appetite and strength. But I got my stem cells yesterday(!!!) and I’m feeling back to normal today (Day 1) so now I’ve just got weeks of waiting ahead of me before the stem cells migrate into my bones and start doing their work….
Tags: bwof, cotton, hat
Way to go! The hat looks stunning, and I’m glad to hear you’re feeling normal again :)
— Ruth Jul 9, 11:44 AM #
Love the hat, great fabric too! Will look great with a sundress (and scarf to protect you from the sun!).
Congrats on the stem cells, I hope they will feel at home soon.
— Houkje Jul 9, 11:49 AM #
Congratulations on the hat and the stem cells :-) I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!
— Marie-Claude Jul 9, 12:28 PM #
cool hat – why does my list of projects always get longer after reading your blog?!?! Hope the stem cells do their bit soon!
— racheljm Jul 9, 01:40 PM #
That’s a realy cute hat. I would make several. I love hats! And, it looks cute on you. Sending good health wishes your way.
— gwen Jul 9, 01:45 PM #
The hat is great, and so much better sewn than the crappy one they actually did a close up of in the mag! You look great. I am glad that you are feeling better. Sending good thoughts your way.
— Nancy k Jul 9, 02:19 PM #
go stem cells go!!
— Peacock Chic Jul 9, 02:43 PM #
yay stem cells! work your anti-sun magic!
— darse Jul 9, 03:00 PM #
TWO years! My, that is a lot of sun hats to make.. You might need some in every color to begin with. How about hoods?? Can you make summer hoodies out of linen or something?
I think I may have scored some of that interfacing recently. Now all I need is to actually use it :-). Thanks though, I was afraid it was really excessively stiff, but it looks fine on you.
Anyway it sounds like not so many Very Bad Days if the stems cells do their job properly. Keep it up!
— Marie-Christine Jul 9, 04:43 PM #
Congrats on the stem cells (and the hat)! I love your positive attitude, keep it up!
— lsaspacey Jul 9, 04:50 PM #
Melissa,
I love your hat! You are so clever to have thought of putting together sewing packs! That’s brilliant. I hope the stemcells start kicking butt!! Hope you feel well and recover quickly!
Cheers!
Deb from Canada
— Deb Thompson Jul 9, 05:01 PM #
Hmmm… no sun. Brian says its a good thing you are in England… though maybe you should consider temporarily relocating to Aberdeen.
— Sharon Jul 9, 06:24 PM #
Adorable! I love a good sunhat and had forgotten BWOF actually gave us one.
— The Slapdash Sewist Jul 9, 06:29 PM #
The hat is really charming! I love that fabric. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that those stem cells do their job and you’re feeling great in no time.
— Amy Jul 9, 06:45 PM #
I am thoroughly impressed that you can sew that in a hospital room! Hope you’ll continue to feel well and get well really soon!
— HowSewBlogger Jul 9, 08:37 PM #
Great hat. Love the wide-brimmed style; reminds me of ones I had as a kid. Glad to hear things are going well with the stem cells, and looking forward to reading about more sewing fun during your hospital stay.
— Nadia Jul 10, 11:28 AM #
Hi Melissa!
I have been catching up on your blog as my computer has been broken for over a week – aargh!
You (and the hat) look great and I am glad to hear that the chemo is not too awful and that you are so well occupied. If you disregard the fact that you would prefer not to be in hospital its a great opportunity to do lots of what you want! Hope you continue to feel good.
Best wishes
Kim
— Kim Hood Jul 10, 01:48 PM #
Love the hat; it looks great on you. Chin up! you’re doing great. I will keep you in my thoughts.
— Elizabeth Jul 10, 03:14 PM #
Hi Melissa,
I’ve just found out you’re in hospital. I am amazed by your enthusiasm and spirit. I hope you’ll get well soon.
By the way, your hat is super cute! I’m thinking of making it too.
Best wishes,
Ana
— AnaJan Jul 10, 04:49 PM #
You don’t know me, but I try to read all your reviews on PR. I’m always inspired by what you do. I’m behind in reading them. I LOVE THAT HAT!! I’m sending you good vibes in hosp. Hope you’re better REAL SOON. Many Blessings To You!
— Katie Lynne Peterson Victor Jul 20, 07:54 AM #