Mad hatter

At the sewing machine this week I made a couple of hats.

First up, a new sun hat for C, using some leftover bits in the stash, and Nicole Mallalieu's Kid's Hats pattern (Bought from Kelani last year). I'd heard that Nicole writes very detailed patterns, full of tips and useful technical sewing know-how, so was willing to invest in an expensive pattern, especially given it has a range of sizes and design options (brim width and edge finishing, and crown on bias or grainline). It certainly is a great pattern, and once I'd figured out how to cut it from the scraps I had available (I had to add seams to the centre front), it was straightforward to stitch together -all finished in one evening. I made the large size (55-57cm) and with the second widest brim, in a bucket style (not turned up at the edge). I'm really pleased with it, but C thinks it's too big and insists on continuing to wear the (now) tight fitting hats I bought for him last summer. No doubt he will grow into it in time, and in the meantime I'm reassessing stash options to make one in the medium size.

Second up, a baker's hat (or chef's hat as it is also called, but as we've been reading In the Night Kitchen a lot lately, I'm inclined to go with the "baker" theme). I'm trying to make some headway on a dress-ups collection, and had added this project to my to do list the moment I saw Curly Pops tutorial (via Whip up) last year. So simple- I made it even simpler by omitting bias binding, sticking to a white colour scheme and using a velcro fastening. The second it was finished it was put on and C insisted we make some Oat & Sultana cookies again (I didn't disappoint him, and can report that museli is good substitute if you lack oats in your pantry). Next up I want to make a tutu, after he had great fun on the weekend dressing up in one that a friend made for her daughter- she gave me some sewing tips so as soon as I can decide which colour I'll give it a shot...