Part of the “Beginners Can Make It Too!” Series – Child Sun Hat

Did I need a child sun hat in February.  You bet!!  The grandkids are coming to visit us in Costa Rica so I made them each a wonderful child sun hat to protect them from the hot sun.

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I asked my daughter to measure the kids heads.  18” for our girl and 20” for the grandson.  Based on the pattern sizing, I  needed a small and a large sun hat. 

Follow the instructions found in the pattern. 

Lessons learned 

Some lessons I learned while making the child sun hat:

• Planning to make all three at the same time, I realized that would involve changing the thread numerous times, therefore,  they were made one at a time. 
• How to sew curves.  The pattern instructions along with the helpful hints below should take away the fear of sewing curves.
• Mark the tabs!!  Because I didn’t while cutting, I had to go back and mark them later.
• Always read the pattern.  It indicates that you will use a ½” seam allowance.
• Iron!! Patterns never tell you to iron and press as you go but it is so important to achieve a professional look.
• Cut Fabric A and Fabric B together.  They will then be the exact same size.

Sewing Curves

Then clip the seams cautiously about ¾” apart.  Having too many is better than not enough as it helps to have ease the crown in evenly. DO NOT clip more than ½ inch into the seam as you will have a hole.

Finishing the child sun hat

Once the hat has been made in Fabric A, you need to do it all again in Fabric B.  OMG!!   You have to sew more curves.  Attaching the brim, also requires  more curve sewing.  By the time you are done, you will be very comfortable sewing curves!!

After putting the Fabric A hat and Fabric B hat together, the only thing left to do is attach the Fabric B hat to the brim using a blindstitch.      Blindstitching is a method of hand stitching where the stitches are hidden, hence the name “Blind”. 

Finally,  edgestitch where brim and hat come together. TIP! Press well to ensure everything stays flat. Edgestitch should be done on the hat NOT the brim.

EDGESTITCHING VERSUS TOPSTITCHING

Both of this stitches are similar right-side–of-the-project stitching.   Topstitching  describes a stitch with a distance of more than ⅛” from the edge while edgestitching is ⅛” or closer. 

Edgestitching is done using a normal stitch length.  It is used on waistbands, necklines, binding, and anywhere a garment needs subtle stitching. Sometimes it is just decorative and other times it is used to keep the garment together and seams from shifting.

Topstitching is usually used for decorative purposes. The stitch length is set slightly longer than the stitch length used for the rest of the garment and at times a contrasting color thread may be used.

When edge stitching it is much easier if you use your free arm.  The free arm will also be helpful when topstitching the brim. |

Customizing the Child Sun Hat

I love sewing for my family because I can customize.  My grandson adores Paw Patrol so I added an applique patch to the flipside of the hat. To learn how to applique, check out this post.  I also fussy cut so the characters showed up where I wanted them on the hat. 

Although optional, I choose to topstitch the series of rows on the brim.  I think it looks more professional.  Did you know you can use 2 different threads on the top and bottom. Here the topstitching is white on the Paw Patrol fabric and the flip side has blue topstitching.  This is something I learned when I began quilting!!

TA-DA!  You are done.  Here’s how mine turned out!  Feel free to show me how yours turned out.

What did you learn today??

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