When you were in high school, did you ever have spirit days where you got to dress up, maybe in things that were outside of the normal dress code (gasp) to show your support for your team? We had those, and I bet you can’t guess from this post what my favorite was. I mean, I’m sharing how to sew a fedora hat, so it had to be Hat Day, right? Ding, ding, ding!
Because you know I was in high school in the 90s, and one of my favorite TV shows was Blossom, and that girl could rock some hats, which were (sadly) against our dress code. So the latest craze for fedoras is right up my alley.
Disclosure: I received this pattern for free to sew for this tour. And I am an affiliate of Elegance & Elephants patterns, so I receive a small portion of the sales of this pattern. But all opinions are my own, as always.
When Heidi of Elegance & Elephants first made a fedora hatfor a Project Run and Play look, I told her I NEEDED the pattern. I am so glad she finally got this released. I was even happier to discover that due to my abnormally tiny head, the child’s size XL fits me.
Yup, I have a kid size head. Probably why I had to sew my hats in high school too, so my blossom wouldn’t sink down over my eyes. At least it goes with my kid size feet.
But also a bummer for those of you who have normal size heads. I guess you’ll just have to sew a fedora for your kid and then bug Heidi until she makes this pattern in adult sizes.
Heidi’s pattern is FABULOUS, as evidenced by all the great versions you’ve probably seen popping up around blog land, but since I was making this for me and wanted it to last, I did a couple of extra things that I’d like to share with you.
First, I added buckram to the brim and crown. I’ve talked about buckram before (like in this hat tutorial) – it’s basically a loosely woven fabric that has been stiffened. I cut my buckram so that it didn’t get into the seam allowances, and used Stitch Witchery to get it to stick to the brim and crown of the hat.
The other thing I did that wasn’t in the pattern was to steam and shape my wool. Heidi does recommend that you use a wool or tweed to make your hat, and I splurged and got the expensive 100% wool suiting for mine. Since you only need 1/2 a yard, it wasn’t astronomical. But the actual wool does make a difference.
Once I sewed the hat, I stuffed the crown full of plastic grocery bags.
Then using my iron’s steam setting, I shaped the crown the way I wanted it, emphasizing the top side edges.
For the brim, I would steam and then while the wool was still hot, pull and shape the brim with my hands/fingers. I did this a few times to get the shape, then the last time held the piece in place until the wool cooled. Kind of like the cool blast on your hair dryer sets the curl or straightness in your hair – if you let the wool cool in the right shape it helps set the shape.
And then I pulled out my camera remote and channeled my inner Blossom.
Make sure to check out the other tour stops – there have been some great hats this week. Oh, and PS – there is a 15% discount code for the Fedora Hat pattern this week (Sept 23-27) it’s FEDORA15. And today is your last day to use it!
Stacey
I love that you sewed one up for yourself Melissa. I didn’t even think of measuring myself but now that I think of it, I would totally fit in one of the larger sizes. SCORE! Fedora for ME! Also, the crown stuffing tip is genius.!
Sue
Please please! An adult size. I have loved hats since my early teens and still do. I have 3 fedoras and want more–greedy! Especially a larger brim in water proof fabric for a very stylish rain hat. I am full of ideas but must have patterns and instructions. Love Melly Sews.
Rebecca Holmes
The buckram is a great idea! And, you are looking super fab in your fedora!
Caila
I love these pics, Melissa! And I just love that you made yourself a fedora. I am now wishing that my head was just a tad bit smaller! Let’s all bug Heidi until she releases the pattern for adults. 🙂
Olu
I was just getting excited thinking the Fedora came in adult sizes 🙁 I am the complete opposite to you, I have a large head and my children have big hair so we need BIG hats.
I have the pattern so I’ll be making the biggest size soon 🙂
Annika
Hi Melly, just sewed a Fedora and remembered that back during the blog tour you had some tips about shaping. So here I am checking them out again. And off I go, straight to my iron. Thanks for all your fab tutorials!!!