Ever since seeing this Oliver+S bucket hat made by Jessica during Project Run & Play I knew I really really HAD to make one for Violet and Henry!
That so called need of mine and their genuine need for beach hats got me sewing up a pair of hats just in time for our trip to the beach!
My fabric is from Drygoods Design online and was part of my winnings from the Feather your nest series that Stumbles and Stitches held back in April.
I used Bistro Menu for one side of Henry's hat and Avante Garden for one side of Violet's hat. For the reverse sides I used Summersville Weave for both (so they could be matchy, if they wanted...).
I really love the Summersville for one side, it sort of gives the illusion of a colorful straw hat, I think.
I had fun with the contrast stitching.
In fact, Violet's hat has all THREE of her favorite colors, pink, purple, and turquoise!
I made Henry's hat following the directions, except that I used Jessica's no hand stitching method (no hand stitching for Violet's either). And for Violet's hat, I added a bit extra to the brim as Jessica did here, except that I only added an additional 1" instead of her 1.5". I was afraid that it might be a bit too floppy, thus the 1" verses 1.5". The only other difference between the two is that I used sew-in interfacing for Violet's hat (double layer of light interfacing) and a single layer of medium fusible interfacing for Henry's hat. Why two different kinds of interfacing you may ask?...Simply because I was scrounging for it! I never seem to have enough or the right kind of interfacing sitting around :( Anywho, the fusible interfacing is definitely much easier to manage, especially when you use the no hand stitching method. The fusible interfacing makes it easier to have all the layers fit just so after you turn the hat right side out. Aside from lots and lots of pinning and many little triangles snipped to get the sides and brim attached without puckering, the hat is super easy to put together.
Seriously, you should make these if your kid even remotely wears hats!! The payoff in adorableness pays off ten fold! I am not kidding!!
And the best part, well, of course it is that they LOVE wearing their hats!! Hooray! At least their heads are ready for the beach! ;) I better go get the rest of everything else ready!!
