Lets make a bucket hat for the warm weather! for all ages. 1 Take the measurement of the crown, that’s the measurement around the head. Add 2cm for comfort this includes a seam allowance. This is the circumference of the top of your hat, and you will need to draw a circle on your pattern paper - see the next step. 2 Use a home made compass to draw your circle. Attach a length of string to a drawing pin and a pencil at each end. The length of the string (after you’ve tied it to the pencil and pin) is worked out below. Length of String (Radius) = Crown Length (circumference of the head) ÷ 6.28 3 Now to draw the side of the hat onto your paper. A rectangle which measures half of the head circumference by 10cm. I suggest a 10cm height for an adult but you can change this to suit. 4 The brim is wider than the crown, so grab the side piece and fold into 4 along the length. Unfold and cut the creases from one side to almost all the way across to the other side. Tape the uncut side onto another piece of paper and create a slight curve by spreading open the cut side by 1/4” apart. This rectangle becomes a slight arc. The longer side (Brim Length) joins the brim. 5 Cut another rectangle for the brim, 10cm wide, Brim Length long. Repeat the process of spreading to create a round curve, only this time fold this piece 4 times to create 8 creases. Cut along the creases from one side to almost all the way to the other. This is called slashing. 6 Spread this second piece onto another piece of paper. Spread the pieces 1/4” apart and tape them down to create the brim. 7 You should have ; one circle, the side (body) and the brim. Select a strong, sturdy fabric, such as canvas or drill, or use interfacing.
36 | SKBramhall & Woodford - May/June 2022
8 From the fabric, cut 2 circles, 4 side panels and 4 brims 9 Sew 2 side panels together, along the narrow sides to create the round. 10 Sew the circle to the body of the hat. The shorter side will fit the circle, and you will have a cap. 11 Repeat to make the second cap. You may have chosen to interface these pieces. 12 Turn one cap inside out and tuck into the other cap, so all seams are hidden. Sew these together, you can use decorative stitching. 13 Join 2 brim pieces along the narrow sides to create the full brim . Repeat for the second pair of (interfaced) brim pieces. Place once brim on the other, so the seams are facing out. Pin the wider side together and sew along the edge. 14 Clip the seam allowance and turn the brim through and press so you have all the seams hidden inside. 15 Sew the brim to the cap. Trim the excess seam allowance and hide the raw edge inside the hat and top stitch all the way around, or you can add bias tape to hide the raw edge. You should have yourself a lovely new bucket hat for the summer! Try patchwork. You can watch how to make this on my YouTube channel. If you’re on Instagram, why not tag me in to share your makes. See you in the next issue! Abi x
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