Scalloped Sun Hat (Sew Along)
Hi there! Today I’m sharing a tutorial for how I made a scalloped sun hat. I’m calling this tutorial a sew along because I used a pattern that I downloaded from Etsy so it is not an original design by me, but you can follow along!
When I originally set out in search of a pattern, I was looking for something vintage from the sixties or seventies. I stumbled upon this modern pattern that offered an instant download and I couldn’t resist. The hat embodies designs of the sixties and seventies - the rounded top, the scalloped flower shape of the brim - it felt serendipitous!
This hat is so comfy and fits my head just right - I love that the pattern comes in multiple sizes so you can customize it to fit your head. This scalloped sun hat is the perfect thing to throw some much needed shade over a hot day. I find I’m much cooler when I wear hats, anyone else experience this?
Malin and Friend is the brand that sells the pattern, and they have several very cute designs!
If you enjoy a good sew along, you may want to check these out:
How I Made a Crop Top for under $20
How to Make a Scalloped Sun Hat
Supplies
Malin And Friend’s Pattern from Etsy (printable download)
You’ll need a printer, some printer paper, paper scissors, and tape
One Yard of Fabric - cotton, canvas, or light to medium weight materials work best (You can use two different fabrics if you’d like a contrasting lining - 1/2 yard of each)
Matching Thread
Fabric Scissors
Safety Pin (a large one will work best)
Pencil
Sewing Machine
Pins
Iron
Needle (for hand stitching)
The first step is to secure your fabric by fending off a sleepy cat. (Just kidding, real directions below!)
Directions
Prep - Wash and iron your fabric (however, keep in mind certain fabrics shouldn’t be washed or ironed - double check before you do so).
Thread your machine with a matching thread.
Print out the pattern in your correct size (there are four size options: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large). Cut the paper pattern out with scissors. There are two pieces, each with a half circle printed on it. Line the half circles up to create a whole circle and tape the pieces together. Your pattern is ready!
*Note: A 5/8 inch seam allowance is included in the pattern.
I love how the pattern kind of resembles a rocket ship.
Optional - You can make a skinny tie to sew into the hat like I did - mine are different than the thicker ones provided as an option in the pattern - by cutting strips of the fabric about 2 inches wide and 20 inches long (or how long you’d like them to hang down). Then fold the strip in half lenthwise (like a hot dog) right sides facing each other and stitch down the length of the strip, closing the seam. Turn right side out by clipping a safety pin to one end and pushing the safety pin all the way through the inside of the tube and out the other end. Make two of these.
Step One - Cut the pattern pieces out of your fabric. There should be a total of 12 pieces, 6 for the top of the hat and 6 for the lining.
Step Two - With a pencil, make a dot on each piece about 1/2 inch down from the top point, in the exact location you see it on the pattern.
As the directions for the pattern state, you can quickly do this by placing the pieces in a stack (all facing right side up), setting the pattern on top, sticking a pin through the small dot on the pattern, then marking the dot on each piece where the pin is running through them.
Step Three - Sew a group of three together.
Start from the brim of the hat with your stitch, and stop stitching when you get to the dot you just made on each piece. This will ensure that your stitches meet properly at the top of the hat.
After each seam that you sew, press the seam open and then top stitch on either side of the seam all the way down the length of the seam - this will give the hat a nice finish once it is all sewn together.
Sew another group of three together until you have four groups of three.
If you are adding a tie - With one group of three that will be the lining of the hat, take your ties and place one on each side, pinning them in place where the brim starts (at the noticeable bend in the side shape). Sew down the ties 1/4 inch from the fabric edge.
Step Four - Pin your two lining pieces together, right sides facing each other. Stitch the side seams closed, sewing all the way around the hat, but leaving a 2 inch hole unstitched near the top. This will be for pulling the hat right side out a little further down.
Press the seam open and top stitch on either side of the seam.
Repeat with the two outside pieces of the hat, only this time sew all the way around, completely closing the seam. Press and top stitch.
Step Five - Place the outside of the hat onto the lining, right sides facing each other and pin them in place.
*If you have ties, roll them up and stick them into the top of the hat to make sure you don’t stitch them into the seam you are about to make.
Stitch all the way around the scallop edge, sewing the two pieces together.
Step Six - Pull the hat through the hole, turning it right side out. Hand stitch the hole closed.
Press the scalloped edges so they are neat and round. Top Stitch about 1/4 inch from edge.
All done! I love love love how it turned out. I’m already planning to make at least two more…
I hope you are able to make the most of the last little bit of summer!
