Novice sewer here. I'd like to make a fleece hat and scarf for myself. Any suggestions for a pattern for a hat that doesn't look too dumb (i.e. not one of the big rectangular ones with drawstring on top)?
Oh, and how do I know that the fleece in the fabric store will hold up? I know from assorted fleece blankets and kid's clothes that some fleece pills immediately and other fleece stays soft, but I don't know what brands to look for.
Polartec fleece is top-quality fleece. You can get it here:
I find I have to adjust hat patterns. When I made a close-fitting fleece one (fits under a cycling helmet) I created a "tuna can" the desired circumference, and cut a few triangular chunks out of the crown (perhaps four? Two shown below). Sewed these up and it fit great. ASCII art follows.
|--\ /----\ /----| becomes the crown | \/ \/ | | | NTS | | | | |------------------| this length goes around your head; add a seam allowance
Seems like there are on-line patterns available (free!) that would show this more clearly, if needed.
HTH
--Karen D. there I go again, being helpful
Wild Ginger has a free download for a program, WildThings, that makes made to measure patterns for hats and all kinds of good stuff. I've been using it for years, especially around Christmas gift making time. Just plug in the appropriate measurements and print the pattern out on your printer.
What styles do you like? Generally, the fewer seams, the easier, which is why the misplaced neck-gaiter hats you dislike are easy. The ones that are darted tubes or gores, like watch caps, aren't too tough, nor are the ones that are tubes with a circular or oval crown sewn in one end. Some of the brims are more difficult, but a lot are pretty do-able.
In my experience, Malden and Glenoit fleeces seem to hold up well. Malden is the brand I use and trust the most.
Anyhow, my suggestion is to dig in the rag bag and do some practice sewing (on fleece if you've got it, on knits if you don't) of small gored objects and tubes with a circular or oval crown. When you're happy with the results, you're probably ready to cut your good fleece.
It does -- thanks!
Gotcha -- this looks like a good place to start. Thanks!
That's a good idea. Thanks.
One way to minimize pilling in fleece it to hang it to dry. Machine drying seems to enhance pilling. Machine washing doesn't seem to be a problem.
Mike
The fit of a hat depends very strongly on the stretch of the fabric. When I designed the interlock hat pictured at
If you cut six equilateral triangles, and round the corners of the "darts", it should make a nice domed cap. The number of darts should be even, so that you can sew the side darts first, then sew up the seam and two of the darts in one operation.
Try the hat on before sewing the hem, in case you want to make it wider or narrower than planned.
Joy Beeson
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