Hat – The Finished Garment

Valentine’s Day Sewing

This fall, when I made my kids t-shirts there was a lot of extra fabric. So I decided to take all the leftover fabric and make some matching hats for everyone and skirts for the girls.

Slouch beanie sewing pattern from Brindille & Twig, sewn by The Finished Garment. — These kids are always being silly!

I used the Slouch Beanie by Brindille & Twig. It’s a very simple, fast easy project, but the results are just sooooo cute! My kids look like little elves.

The hats are reversible, and they can be worn, as designed, like slouchy skater beanies. It’s great when mum is doing the styling. But my kids usually fold up the bottoms and wear them that way.

The skirt pattern is from Collection privée filles & garçons by Atsuko Maruyama and Noriko Onoda (a French translation of the Japanese pattern book シンプル＆デサイン　おんなの子服　おとこの子服 ). The book contains 27 patterns available in sizes 90-140 cm. I made the “#12 Jupe – legging” (skirt with leggings) in sizes 120, 110, and 90.

The pattern comes with attached capri leggings, which are adorable. But here in the land of Hoth, where tights are pretty much required for six months of the year, they seemed a bit impractical, so I left them out.

Both patterns were super quick projects and I made the hats in a day and the skirts in another.

Project Summary

Patterns:

Slouch Beanie by Brindille & Twig, available in sizes preemie to 6T. I made sizes 5/6 (not shown), 3/4 and 2/3.
Skirt: from Collection privée filles & garçons by Atsuko Maruyama and Noriko Onoda (a French translation of the Japanese pattern book シンプル＆デサイン　おんなの子服　おとこの子服 ). The book contains 27 patterns available in sizes 90-140 cm. I made the “#12 Jupe – legging” (skirt with leggings) in sizes 120 (not shown), 110, and 90.

Fabric: Jersey.
Cost: Hat pattern: 4.50$. Skirt: 0$ (used for another project). Fabric: $0 (leftover from other projects).
Project Sewing Level: Beginner.
Modifications: For the skirt, I did not include the leggings.
Results: Fun, easy sewing.

Arctic Trapper Hats

I live on Hoth. It’s the only way to describe temperatures hovering around -38°C (-36°F). I really wish that were a typo.

Anyway, I saw the weather forecast last week and decided that my babies needed added warmth, so I got these hats and neck warmers sewn up.

Arctic Trapper Hat sewing pattern from See Kate Sew, made by The Finished Garment. — Arctic Trapper Hat and matching neck warmer.

I actually cut these hats out ages ago, but then didn’t get around to them when it was cold, and then didn’t feel motivated when it was warm. It is no longer warm.

The hats are the Arctic Trapper Hat by See Kate Sew. They are two-layer hats with a hipster feel. I added ear flaps, and I used two layers of fleece to make them warmer. The inside is super soft and the outside has a bit of a berber texture. It’s the same fabric I used to make them mittens.

The hats really do fit quite large, so it’s probably good that I waited a year to sew them up (shuffles feet, avoids eye contact).

The hats turned out really well, but there are two things I might change. The ear flaps poke out a little, so I think I’ll get some buttons for them, like the real grown-up versions. And second, I think they might be better with a chin strap so that they stay flat against the ears to keep them warm. Of course, if I didn’t live in Hoth, they would be just great as is. In fact, I may make another set out of corduroy for fall when chin straps are unnecessary.

The neck warmers were made without a pattern, but measure about 10″ by 10″. They also have two layers.

Since all my kids have the same sets, I sewed different coloured ribbons into the seams of the hats and neck warmers so the kids could tell them apart. They picked out the ribbons themselves.

I had these made up for the beginning of January, but it was just too cold and snowy for an outdoor photo shoot. So I had to wait until this week for a balmy -16°C (3°F). Brrrrrr. Where’s my tauntaun?

This post is part of the Stashbusting Sewalong.

Project Summary

Pattern Review: Arctic Trapper Hats by See Kate Sew, available in sizes 12m-8 (in 4 different sizes).
Fabric: Two layers of polar fleece.
Sizes: 12/18m, 3/4, and 5/6.
Cost: Pattern: 6$. Fabric: $0 (leftover from another project).
Project Sewing Level: Beginner.
Modifications: I added ear flaps.
Results: Great. This was fast, and I love the hipster look.

Storybook Bonnet

My baby is getting so big! She just turned one and is walking and talking. It makes me a little teary just thinking about it, especially since this will probably be our very last baby. So to celebrate I thought I’d make her something sweet.

Now I am a sucker for a baby in a bonnet, so the Peekaboo Bonnet from Made by Rae was just calling my name. It’s just so cute!

But bonnets have a rather short lifespan, so there was a little time pressure.

Peekaboo Bonnet Sewing Pattern from Made by Rae

No one puts a newborn in a bonnet, and once you hit two (barring historical reenactments, and fashion moments from the eighties), your bonnet days are numbered. Here in Montreal, the number of days the weather even allows bonnet wearing are extremely limited. So this is also a last hurrah to summer.

For fabric I used Floral Meadow and Curvy Stripe from the Storybook Lane collection by Kelly Lee-Creel for Andover Fabrics (courtesy Warp & Weft Exquisite Textiles). I love the floral meadow! So beautiful! And it has a great scale. If you look at it all spread out, it has a repeating grid pattern, but it is really easy to match. It also has a little bit of a sheen to it, a bit like cotton sateen.

The pattern calls for two fat quarters of each fabric, which is what I ordered. That would be the perfect amount, unless you also want to make matching piping and binding (you do!), in which case you need another fat quarter. Ooops!

I happen to be pretty economical at cutting fabric, but this was the biggest fabric test of all time. I just managed. And there may (ahem) be a couple more seams in the binding than I would otherwise have sewn.

This is a really easy pattern to sew up. It’s a quick project and great for beginners. I made it in a 1T-2T, but it comes in sizes 0-8+. This was my first time making my own piping, and it went so smoothly that I will be churning out piped garments in the future.

This bonnet also gets a lot of attention when we go out. I’ve had so many compliments! I would love a good excuse to make another, but I may have to wait for a baby shower to make this again. After all, winter is coming (sigh).

Seriously though, this kid is going to be wearing this bonnet everyday until the fall weather hits 😉

Warp & Weft Sewing Society

This is a Warp & Weft Sewing Society project. We are a group of talented sewists and quilters creating beautiful projects inspired by the fabrics from Warp & Weft Exquisite Textiles. You can find the fabrics used in this project, Floral Meadow and Curvy Stripe from the Storybook Lane collection, online in the Warp & Weft shop.

Summary

Pattern Review: Peekaboo Bonnet from Made by Rae.

Fabric: Floral Meadow and Curvy Stripe from the Storybook Lane collection by Kelly Lee-Creel for Andover Fabrics. Courtesy Warp & Weft Exquisite Textiles.

Size: 1T-2T.

Sewing Level: Beginner.

Modifications: None.

Results: Great. I would recommend this pattern and wish I had an excuse to make it again.

This project is linked up with Make It, Wear It Thursdays.

Whale Watching

There is still snow on the ground here in Montreal, but I was in the mood for some spring sewing so I whipped up these shorts for my son.

The pattern I used was the Sandbox Pants by Oliver + S, which I’ve made before. The hat is the matching Reversible Bucket Hat that I’ve blogged about previously.

The pattern is very easy to follow. The only changes I made were to switch an elastic waistband for the drawstring waist in the pattern, and turn the pants into shorts. These fit a little large, but by the time it’s really summer, they should be just right.

Whale Sandbox Shorts Pocket. Check out that top stitching.

I love those whales! Check out those matched up pockets and that top stitching.

All the fabric was from my stash. The whale print is left over from my whale quilt. I’ve already used the pattern a few times. Even the elastic came from my stash. That brings the cost of these shorts to $0! Not bad.

For my older girls I had made spring dresses a while ago. But since I hadn’t blogged about them, I thought I would do that now. These are both the Ice Cream Dress by Oliver + S.

This pattern is really a dream to sew. There are almost no seams to finish, it’s very quick to sew, and there is a lot of room for creativity in fabric choices. My kids love these dresses!

The fabrics are Red Ladybugs and Liquorice cats by Ann Kelle.

Three spring outfits ready for the snow to melt. THis post is linked up with Make It, Wear It.

Summary 1

Pattern Review: Sandbox Pants by Oliver + S.

Fabric: Bright Whales by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).

Size: 5.

Sewing Level: Intermediate.

Modifications: I changed the waist from a drawstring to an elastic waist, and left off the buttons on the back pockets.

Results: Great. I would recommend this pattern and will definitely make it again.

Summary 2

Pattern Review: Ice Cream Dress by Oliver + S.

Fabrics:

Red Ladybugs by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).
Kona Red
Liquorice Cats by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).

Sizes: 3T, 5.

Sewing Level: Beginner.

Modifications: none.

Results: Great. I would recommend this pattern and will definitely make it again.

Spring Hats

Oliver + S Little Things to Sew: 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children

Spring sure feels a long way off. But in (hopeful? desperate?) preparation I’ve made up a bunch of the Oliver + S bucket hats.

The pattern is from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, but you can also find the pattern online for free.

I made three, in sizes Medium and Large. They are a bit big, but in a nice way.

The pattern was very easy to follow and quick to finish.

Bucket Hats in Oliver + S Little Things to Sew

The only thing I changed was to use iron-in interfacing, instead of sew-in. I used Pellon 950F Shir-Tailor, and I really like the results: crisp, but not too crunchy.

I chose fabrics with a lot of contrast, and if you to do the same, choose your top stitching thread early. I did all the top stitching. The instructions say it’s optional but I think you need it to give the hat structure.

Bucket hat — Check out that top stitching!

If I were to make it again, the only thing I might change is the top stitching on the hat brim. It says to stitch concentric circles at 1/4″ intervals, but I think it might look nicer to sew in a continuous spiral.

The fabrics are all by Ann Kelle from her Urban Zoologie collection, and they match the lunch money cuffs I posted yesterday.

This was a great stash busting project. The yellow and whales were leftover from my Sunshine Bug Quilt and Whale Quilt. With this project and the Lunch Money Cuffs I posted yesterday, I was able to use up all my red and yellow solids, and almost all of the cute animal prints. There might be enough fabric left for a small zip bag for each kid. We’ll see. Me and Anne Kelle might need to take a little break now.

No one felt like cooperating for a photo session today, so you only get photos of hats. Maybe next time.

Summary

Pattern Review: Bucket Hats from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.

Fabric:

Bright Whales by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).
Kona Corn Yellow
Red Ladybugs by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).
Kona Red
Liquorice Cats by Ann Kelle from Urban Zoologie (Robert Kaufman).
Free Spirit Designer Solid in Pink

Sewing Level: Beginner.

Modifications: None.

Results: Great. I would recommend this pattern and plan to make more.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Fall Hats

When I saw these beautiful hats by Jo at Bubala I just loved them. So so so cute!

So I made my own. I made four and I let the kids choose what was on them.

Two kids just have buttons on theirs shaped like books and flowers, and two have embroidered bugs.

Four little caps. Sorry for the wrinkles. I had trouble rounding them all up for photos, since the kids are often wearing them.

I liked the ribbon idea on the Bubula blog, so they all have a snippet of ribbon as well. The kids also chose their own ribbon.

I used a charcoal grey wool coating for the hats (the same fabric I used for my Menswear Bunnies) and some polyester-cotton lining. I think next time I would use flannel though, to keep them a bit softer and warmer. These were nice and colourful though.

You can just see the lining peaking out. I used bright blue and purple, also the kids’ choices.

The pattern is the Little Cap by Leila & Ben, a Canadian independent pattern designer. The company sells adorable sewing and crochet patterns for kids’ clothing.

The pattern comes in two sizes, 12m-2T and 3T-5T. I found the sizing to be quite small. The 12m-2T fit my three-month-old. The 3T-5T fit my two-year-old. I enlarged the pattern to 105% as Jo at Bubala recommended, and that fit my four-year-old and six-year-old. Luckily I had quite a few to make, in all the sizes, so no fabric was wasted.

I found the pattern to be very good. There are only two pattern pieces. The pattern was extremely easy to follow and I was able to make all four hats in an evening.

Although I made these for both girls and boys, they are perfect for Celebrate the Boy, an online initiative to share cool sewing projects for little boys, which is taking place this week and next.

The kids really love them. They just cover their ears in cold weather. And I get a ton of compliments. People stop us in the street to find out where we “bought” them. I think I’ll probably make another set for summer in cotton or linen.

These photos weren’t taken today, because this is what it looked like outside yesterday. Definitely too cold for fall hats.

Summary

Pattern Review: the Little Cap by Leila & Ben (PDF).

Fabric: charcoal grey, medium-weight wool coating.

Size: 12m-2T, 3T-5T, though the hats fit small.

Sewing Level: beginner.

Modifications: none

Results: Excellent! I would definitely recommend this pattern.