With the cold weather coming, I decided (at the request of my dear daughter) to make trapper hats for the grandkids. I wanted to make them from flannel but couldn’t find a pattern that was made with a woven fabric. Everything, I found was for stretch knits.
By adapting a stretch pattern, I made these two awesome flannel trapper hats. I call them Elmer Fudd hats. I love the hats so much, especially the one for my granddaughter. Don’t you just love the pink fur!!
I found a wonderful pattern for these cute trapper hats designed by from Delia Creates. Problem was she made hers with a stretch fabric. I wanted flannel with sherpa lining. Fingers crossed, I decided to try it….
First, I made the girl’s hat. She was a baby, so I made the hat following the pattern and tutorial as written. And it fit! But, due to the fabric being non-stretchy, I did find the hat to be smaller than a toddler size. When making the hat for the boy, I adjusted the size (see how below) and it worked out fabulous!!
LESSONS LEARNED MAKING THE TRAPPER HATS
The instructions to make the hat found in the tutorial were so easy to follow but here are some additional words of advise that will hopefully make it easier for you to make this awesome hat.
- When sewing stretch and non-stretch fabrics together, put the stretchy fabric on the bottom. You will have less tendency to pull the fabric.
- Press as you go!! A good time to do this is just as you turn the hat inside out, before putting everything together.
- If you have a free-arm use it when top-stitching.
- There is no pattern for the top strip of the hat because it is simply a rectangle. The measurements to cut the rectangle are shown on the pattern for the side of the hat.
SEWING CURVES -STEP 3
To make the curves easier to fit in Step Three of the tutorial, clip curves every inch before sewing to help the curved piece fit to the straight piece. Be careful not to clip more than 3/8″ or you will get a hole.
Pin and/or baste. Sew with the curve on top. Put the straight piece on the bottom so you can follow the curve of the hat. Pull the top slightly as you sew, being sure that all the layers are flat.
SEWING CURVES -FLAP
Anytime you are sewing a circle or part of a circle, be sure to lift your foot often- your machine’s foot that is! I use the “clock method” whenever sewing things that are round. It helps to keep things flat.
FLAPS
It was hard to see from the picture in the tutorial, but the ties are sandwiched between the hat and lining. The hat and lining are right sides together. Be sure to place the ties toward the “hat” side of the sandwich.
To find the center of the long strip and center of the side flaps in Step 5a, fold the strip or flap in half and mark at fold. Match the two centers together.
Even though I am not a beginner, I found it easier in Step Six to sew the ear flap and front flap to the main hat BEFORE sandwiching between the hat and lining. Sew at 1/4″ seam allowance. This gives you less things to worry about when sewing all those multiple layers together.
WORKING WITH SHERPA
I swore (a lot) while working with this fabric but hopefully these tips will help you. Here’s what I learned about working with Sherpa:
- You are going to get covered in fluff!!
- Cut the fabric on the wrong side. It is usually smooth so it is easier to see where you are cutting
- Don’t count the fur in your seam allowance
- The edges roll so pin lots!! I mean LOTS!! If you are a beginner you may want to baste before sewing
- Use a .5 zigzag stitch anytime you sew a stretchy fabric
- Take your time
- Don’t pull when sewing
- Clean your machine when you are finished – both you and the machine will be covered in fluff!
RESIZING THE HAT
Because I was using a non-stretchy fabric, I wanted to make the boys hat slightly larger. I added 2 inches to the circumference of the hat. Here is where the math comes in!! But it was actually easy-peasy!
To change the size, you will need to change both the center top rectangle strip AND the ear flap piece.
The pattern provided makes a hat 20-1/2 inches in circumference. To add 2″ to the pattern, you will need to make the rectangle strip 1″ wider. This adds 1″ to the front and 1″ to the back of the hat.
If you want to make the hat higher (deeper), simply add to the length of the side pieces. You will then add double this to the length of your rectangle strip. For example, I wanted my hat to be 1″ higher, so I added 1/4″ to each side flap and 1/2″ to the rectangle strip.
So the end result for me was a rectangle strip 5.75″ x 13-1/2″.
You will also need to make your ear flap 2″ longer. Simply add 1″ when cutting on the fold.
Don’t forget, you can get the pattern for the hat at Delia Creates. If you have any questions, leave me a comment. I would be happy to help you make these awesome trapper hats!! AND don’t forget to share!
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