How floppy is too floppy when it comes to a sun hat? I am so excited to try out this floppy sun hat tutorial and pattern. I have yet to find one that I LOVE while out shopping. One of the great things about sewing… I’ll just have to make it myself!
Before sewing this, I am going to rate it as beginner with basic sewing term and machine knowledge required. I think any beginner can tackle it if they set out determined, yet it takes a little more than just some straight sewing!
Please, if you test this floppy sun hat tutorial before I get a chance to myself, share it with us in our Beginner Sewing group page on Facebook. We would love to see it and here your thoughts on the project.
UPDATE: Last night I was finally able to test this partner and tutorial out with my sewing “coach” (a.k.a. Mom). Absolutely LOVE the way they turned out, but I thought a few things could be cleaned up in the tutorial below, so…. here are a few of our sewing notes that you might find helpful:
First, let’s talk about the supplies. The instructions call for 1-3/4 yards of bottom weight or upholstery fabric, however in the written tutorial, it mentions a “lining” fabric. We did not see a lining fabric on the supply list, so we did not have one when we began cutting the pattern. The good news was that the yardage for the bottom weight or upholstery fabric was enough to use as the lining as well. If you wanted to do a coordinating colored floppy hat, I suggested getting another color and using it where the tutorial called for “lining”.
The second supply worth mentioning is the heavyweight fusible fleece. We could not find any at the store we were at. We settled for the best we could find. Although they turned out super cute still, I wonder what the difference would be if we had used the right interfacing. To save you some time in finding what the tutorial is asking, and in case this is not a popular type found in stores, here is an affiliate link right to Amazon: heavyweight fusible fleece.
And the final supply that confused us was the grosgrain ribbon. We did not see what the tutorial was requesting. This ribbon was used to cover the inside seam of the hat. I just made my own thing in place of what they were asking. It was a little like a binding I sewed over the top of the seam. My mom went even simpler and cleaned her seam up then sewed it down so it would lay flat. Both methods were just fine.
After sewing this would I recommend it or do it again? YES! You will need some basic sewing knowledge to make your way around the tutorial. I would recommend this for a confident beginner who can sew straight lines (the lines around the brim of the hat are my favorite part).
Not ready to use this floppy sun hat tutorial just yet? Save it on Pinterest for later…
HOW TO MAKE A FLOPPY FEDORA
The free printable PDF pattern was drafted for an average size head (22.5 inches) and is sewn together using a 1/2” seam allowance. For anyone who is adept at sewing techniques you can adjust the seam allowance to provide a slightly bigger fit. I recommend reading through the instructions before beginning. I’ve provided you with the option of an extra large brim or a regular brim size.
Supplies
- Printed out Floppy Fedora Hat pattern (6 pages)
- Scissors
- Tailors chalk
- 1-3/4 yards of bottom weight or upholstery fabric
- 1 yard Pellon Heavyweight Fusible Fleece
- 1/2 yard coordinating 2″-wide grosgrain ribbon
Getting Started
Step 1) Cut the fabric.
Following directions on the pattern:
- Hat Side
- Cut one (1) hat side from outer fabric (on bias)
- One (1) hat side cut from lining (on bias)
- Cut one (1) hat side from fusible fleece (on bias) minus the seam allowances
- Hat Top
- Cut one (1) hat top from outer fabric (on straight grain)
- Cut one (1) hat top from lining (on straight grain)
- Hat Brim
- Cut two (2) brims from outer fabric (on straight grain)
- Cut one (1) brim from fusible fleece (on straight grain) minus the seam allowances
You should now have two large “donut” circles from your outer from your outer fabric and one from fleece; one “slanted rainbow” from outer fabric, one from lining, and one from fleece; and one oval from your outer fabric and one from your lining.
Step 2) Construct the brim.
Fuse or baste your fleece interfacing to the wrong side of one large circle.
Place the two large circles wrong sides together and pin around the outside edge. Sew the outside edge only with 1/2″-wide seam allowance. Remember the key is to have smooth seam – to sew around the curves, stop with the needle down, rotate the fabric ever so slightly, then continue sewing.
Grade the seam allowances. Notch the curve creating V-shaped cuts spaced 1/2″ apart, this helps to eliminate bulk and create smoother finished edges.
Flip the brim right side out through the center hole opening. Even out the edges using your finger or by running a blunt object such as a spoon inside the brim. Press if needed.
Pin along the outside edge of the brim. Using the edge of your presser foot as a guide, topstitch around the brim.
Stitch a second row, again using the edge of the presser foot as a guide.
Tip: For wider spacing, move the needle position to the far left; for narrower spacing, move it to the right.
Continue adding rows; the more rows you add, the stiffer your hat will be.
Step 3) Construct the top of your hat.
You’ll be constructing two hat top pieces – one will be a liner (inside the hat) and the other will be outer layer.
Prepare one side hat piece by basting or fusing your fleece interface onto wrong side of curved rainbow shape.
Fold the pieces right sides together matching the center back (CB) raw edges and sew with a 1/2″-wide seam allowance. Repeat for other side hat piece.
Using tailor’s chalk (or marking implement of choice), transfer the marks from the oval hat top pattern piece to both oval hat tops.
Clip at the marks, making six 1/2″-deep cuts. (See photo for placement.) These will help us to successfully pin and sew the hat top and side together without puckers.
More Constructing…
Next, pin your hat top to the hat side, matching the center back and then the center front. This requires a little manipulation and finesse. Instead of pinning perpendicular to the top of the hat (as you might when adding a skirt to a bodice), you will need to mushroom the hat outwards and place your pins as you would the stitches, running parallel to the edge.
Continue pinning around the hat, adjusting the fabric as needed.
Sew the hat top and side pieces together using 1/2″-wide seam allowance to create the hat crown. Grade and notch the seam allowances. Repeat for the lining pieces.
Fit the hat tops together, wrong sides facing each other. Baste together at with a 1/4″-wide seam allowance.
Step 4) Complete the hat assembly.
Insert the hat crown into the brim. Match up the center back seam to the back of your hat; pin.
Sew together using a 1/2″-wide seam allowance.
We’ll finish the inside edge by adding a sweat band. Take the grosgrain ribbon and pin it onto the seam allowance.
Stitch in place, sewing close to the edge of the ribbon.
Trim seam allowances with pinking shears. Tack the sweat band to the hat using a running stitch, making sure you catch only the lining fabric.
Let the Floppy Fedora work for you this summer by tying your favorite bright scarf into a big bow around.
One Comment