Today I have another piece from the summer collection. Probably the most important piece of the collection, the sun hat. For my hair haired fair skinned beauty the sun hat really helps since it’s especially difficult to get sunscreen on her hair and face. So I was determined to design a hat that was big enough to cover her face and neck, but still fitted to her head.

I went through several “prototypes” until I finally made one that was perfect. The first one was far too big in the crown and the rim didn’t fit around, so back to the drawing board… The second all fit together great but the proportions were all off, not a total failure since it will fit her someday. Then everything fell into place perfectly.

which just so happens to work out well for me because the stripes are my favorite anyway.

And in case you were wondering if it just covers the whole face and head, no they can still see just fine (just maybe not up but they don’t need to look at the sun)  and since it’s tied on it stays in place.

 So you can get the free pattern HERE
Size: Toddler  the finished circumference is 20.5″
You will need

  • Pattern Pieces printed out
  • 1/2 yard of fabric total (for lining and main but you can do them out of two fabrics if you want)
  • 1/2 yard fusible interfacing mid weight (optional)
  • 1/2 yard of ribbon (optional)
  • Iron (you want to press the seams)

(since I made several hats the pictures are from a few different versions)

To start, if you want a stiff brim (like I made) press interfacing on to one of the brim pieces (the outer is best) Then with right sides together you are going to sew together the two end pieces so you create a loop. Repeat with the lining.

For one prototype hat I added some roc-rac to the edge of the brim. To do this I simply stitched it to the  outside of edge crossing the edges over at the seam.

Then with the two brim pieces right sides together sew along bottom edge. Then clip the curved edge. I used pinking shears to clip the curved edge.

Then turn the brim pieces right side out and press. (see the cute trim)

Now for the crown. Take the 6 outer pieces and press the fusible interfacing to the wrong sides. Then with the right sides together sew two crown pieces together along the edge.

Then press the seam open. I know it’s tough since the seam is curved but make sure the press the top and bottom and just do the best you can with the rest. Then sew another crown piece right sides together to the two piece so you have 3 sewn together.

At this point you should have two halves all sewn and pressed. Then with the right sides together sew the two halves together starting at the bottom up around the curve and down the other side.

Then you will have a cap like so. (shown in this picture it’s deeper than the actual pattern since I edited the depth) Mark the center front and center back. The middle of one crown section will be “center front” and the middle of the opposite crown section will be “center back”

Now take the outer crown and the brim and sew them right sides together.  Match up the center back of the crown with the seam in the brim. The center front of the crown should match the center front of the brim. When sewing the two pieces together be sure to ease around the curves and smooth them out as you go.

(changing to a different hat here) Press the seam from where the brim and the crown meet toward the inside.

Now for the crown lining. Fold the bottom edge of each piece up by 3/8″ (you will be pressing it towards the “wrong side” of the fabric.

Then sew the crown lining the same way you did the main crown. When you are done you should once again have a cap but the bottom edge will be all folded under.

Place the lining into the cap so the wrong sides are together. Match the folded edge of the lining up with the stitch line from where the crown and brim were sewn. Then sew along the edge where the brim and crown meet to sew the lining in place.

See the lining sewing in place? Cool. So you can be done or you can add ribbons which I do since the hat is for a baby who would take it off or it would fall off, or any number of things. Sew the ribbon at the two side points of the hat along the inside.

Then the hat is done. Ready to be worn to protect them from the sun.

There is nothing cuter than a babe in a wide brimmed hat. Seriously.

It melts my heart every single time.

Hat || Free Pattern 
Fabric || Black and white stripe || Modern Yardage
Shirt || From this post 
Pants || Target

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