Cheery rain hat

So its Whip lash time again!  I was going to take this month off but I just couldn't! Hats- who doesn't love hats? When I thought about what to do, I thought about knitting something but, frankly, we are just not to where we need knitted hats around here yet. What we need, is rain hats. Starting yesterday, the clouds came out and just unleashed large amounts of rain. We are true Oregonians and we don't use umbrellas so I figured a nice bright happy water proof hat would go a long way in these dreary months to come. So here you go. I had the oil cloth, the felt and the rickrack and this is what I came up with. Because I have wanted to do a tutorial for sometime, I made a big effort to make this make sense to people. I have attempted tutorials before but the way I figure things really makes little sense to those who don't live in my brain so they have never made it to the blog. Hopefully this is pretty clear. I made this to fit a four year old with a slightly large noggin. It actually fits my seven year old very well. So we will call this a big headed 4 to average head 7 year old size.

Step one: The pattern

This is how they look all cut out and ready to go. In order to get the brim pattern piece, cut a circle 12.25" in diameter and cut the 7.25 inch circle for the top out of the center.  Fold the remaining piece in half and cut into two pieces, like the blue brim piece above. I think if you leave it in one piece and use it that way, instead of cutting it into two, you may have to adjust the brim to fit to the side pieces as a 1/4 inch seam allowance is included in each piece. (Am I getting confusing? My point is that if the brim is not sewn together as two pieces, it might be a hair large for the sides when all is said and done). The very important thing to note here is that these dimensions are for the felt interior of the hat. You will need to cut out another set in the oilcloth , but cut the oilcloth pieces out 1/4" larger around all sides than the felt one. On the outside edge of the brim, cut a full inch larger.Very important!

Next step: sew the side pieces together at each edge and pin the resulting circle to the top. Sew along the edge to make the top section of hat. Next, sew the brim pieces together to make a big circle. (I may have to revisit this part...but atleast all the seams match up from top to the brim!) Now, pin the brim to the top part of the hat , just as you did for the top section. Wow, look what you have now! Next step: do all of this again for the oilcloth part of the hat. The important things to note now, are that 1. For the love of Pete, put a heavy duty (denim) needle on your machine for the oilcloth. 2.) when you are cutting out the pattern pieces for the oilcloth hat, remember to cut it 1/4" larger than the pieces you cut out for the interior (felt) layer-Except for the brim- cut this piece 1" larger on the outside edge only. You will see why in a minute.This will insure the felt layer lays nicely inside the oilcloth layer. 3. Follow all instructions as for the felt interior. Now you have...

Now, turn the felt hat so the raw edges will be next to the oilcloth and you won't see them.  Place the felt inside the oilcloth and carefully get it fitting together just right. Take your time here and pin it in place to get it right. Next step- carefully cut the oilcloth to be flush with the edge of the felt

Now, pin your rickrack between the layers and stitch down.

ooooo cute...

Now put that baby on and wait for rain. Or, wear it in the sun because its just too cute. Really this is reversible but does any kid need anything akin to vinyl right next to their scalp? Probably not. Wouldn't this be cute in just felt with felt flowers on it? Send me photos if any of you actually wade through my tutorial and make one of these babies yourself! If you made it all the way to the end- Thanks for sticking with me!!

Comments

[dorie]

Cute hat and really nicely put together tutorial.
Way to get your whiplash in!

[June]

Adorable! The tutorial seems well-thought out to me--good job.

[Kari]

Great tut! Easy to follow, and I love the rick-rack trim - so sweet!!!

[Lori]

Very cute!!! And there are so many great oil cloths available now!. The tutorial looks good too. I think I'll give it a try in a few weeks.... after things settle down a bit.
Lori

[joanna]

That is beautiful; you make it sound so easy - I am almost tempted to have a go - thank you for the inspiration :) x

[Megan]

Found you through some blog surfing and really like this tutorial - will be sure to give it a go myself, thanks!

[Lynne]

That is soooooo cool, Mo!! I would have never thought of using oilcloth! Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

[Beth]

Wow, Mo--I feel very inadequate when I see the level of sewing skills you used to "whip up" that little doozy--I thought it was very cute when I saw it, but now I appreciate it even more!

[Sandrine (alias Didine ♥ )]

These hats are soooooooooooooo beautiful ! I love them ! you're so talented ! I had some troubles with my yahoo account and I don't know if you well received my mails ??? I received your parcel :) Thank you sooooooooo much ! Can you send me your address by mail so I could write you one more time ? Thanks again for all :) Smooches !

[beki]

This is great! I'm going to have ti give it a shot.

[Selena]

What a great hat tutorial. Before seeing this the idea of making a hat seemed far too challenging. Your pictures and description make it look much easier. On the red & Aqua swap, would you mind if I mailed yours on Tuesday? We are going to the Farm Chicks show this weekend in Spokane and I would love to get some items for you at the show. Let me know. Otherwise I can mail it tomorrow. Thanks.

[Leslie]

Adorable hat, Mo! And great tutorial - - I will have to whip one of these guys up! :)

[Jennifer]

I bought some pretty rose vinyl-y type fabric in Paris a couple of years ago - I'll use it to make this hat! Thanks for the great tutorial!

[Becky]

that is so adorable. you are very talented!

[Shula]

I just love it.

[cynthia korzekwa]

great tutorial!

[Beth]

Hello! I would love to link to your tutorial for an upcoming feature on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. I can't find your email address... Would you email me at your convenience for details?

Thanks so much! This is a great tutorial!
Beth

[Dana Oster]

My daughter bought me on of these rain hats from http://www.ifactoryoutlet.com/catalog/twist-hats,foldable-rain-hats
but I definitely think your version is more stylish! How waterproof is the oil cloth? I've never heard of that before.

[Rachael]

hi that is a really great hat i was wondering how did u figure out the sizing thanks
Rachael

[Abi]

This is fantastic stuff, and perfect for the abysmal weather we're having over here at the moment. I hope you don't mind that I've featured it in my blog, Crafty Crafty and linked back to you.

[Jessica]

O my gosh, this is perfect! Great tut, and really sweet results! I'll be back to read more!

[Cristina]

Great idea, with such a happy rain hat it's easy to keep a happy smile even when it's raining! Thanks for sharing.
I invite you to check my blog for my hatmaking projects!
Cristina