Hat-making Tips: Wearing Fashion on Your Head

hat-making tips

Hats have been around for a long time and they are very useful to us –as well as a great fashion accessory. They can be used both in hot or cold weather since there are hats made for the summer season and there are also hats for spring as well as winter.

These days, many sewists are making their own hats either sewing by hand or with a sewing machine which is exciting since you can make your very own hat at home!  With your own choice of fabric and design, you can start wearing fashion on your head!

I've wanted to try hat-making for a long time so I put together some handy hat-making tips and tricks to get started and as usual, I'd like to share these with you.  It seems relatively easy and if many readers are interested in making hats, we'll add some hat-making patterns and projects.

Hat-making Tips

To make a hat, you must make these three basic parts: crown, sideband, and brim. Below are some helpful tips on making each part of your hat and other useful tips in developing your hat-making a success.

Tip One

When making the crown, measure your head and add half an inch.

hat-making tips

By adding this extra measurement, you are sure that the hat will fit you even after adding the seams of the brim.

Tip Two

Next thing you have to do is add the sideband.

hat-making tips

It depends on the height you want the sideband to be. If you want to wear your hat deeper, you will make a longer sideband. Of course, measuring it correctly is key.

Tip Three

After making those two parts, you are set to make the last part: the hat brim.

hat-making tips

There are many designs and styles for hat brims. Some like their brim wide, some like it thin, some also like their brim to have pretty waves in them. However you want your hat brim to be, always remember to add a seam allowance to the brim's internal part when cutting out from your pattern.

Tip Four

Make sure to sew the hat's lining, the wrong sides together. This is often forgotten, especially those who do it for the first time. By sewing the wrong side of the lining together, you will see the clean side of the finished product.

Tip Five

Always remember to do a top stitch around the side band's bottom and the brim to hold the parts together.

This will make your hat look neater and sturdier, thus it can be used for a longer period of time.

Tip Six

Don't be afraid to add some bling or other tasteful sewing embellishments to your hat. You can put sequins, faux flowers, or patches to make them more attractive and personalized.

I hope these tips will help you in making your very own hat. Pick your favorite colors so you will be wearing them with your chin up!

Would you like to see some future projects and patterns about sewing and making hats?  Please let me know in the comments below.  I really do use these comments to prioritize future projects.

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Maria
Maria

Si, por favor…patrones y tutoriales serán muy bienvenidos…y gracias por tanto como compartes. Hugs

MPaula
MPaula

I have purchased so many hats simply because I needed them. None fit well, few look good on me and as for being functional, meh.
Searching for hat patterns has resulted in some that might work but none that I am willing to spend time on.
I hope you will follow up on this idea.

Ellen
Ellen

Yes, hat patterns please. The blue felt derby is great. Love the feathers.

M-E Jinno
M-E Jinno

I would desire head gear (hats) to come back into fashion Let it start here. I would love more help to make fashionable, wearable hats.

Gena

I have been quite interested in making hats for a couple of years. Any type, but specially the cloche type hats of the early 1900’s.

Gloria Morales
Gloria Morales

YES! YES! YES! PLEASE show me/us how to make hats. Thank you for your wonderful, helpful site!

Susan
Susan

I agree with everyone above.

Victoria Green
Victoria Green

Would love to have a hat to match my clothes that I make

Deb McCleary

Oh yes, hat patterns and tutorials would be great. You always have clear understandable instructions.

Jackie
Jackie

FYI As much as I appreciate your patterns and instructions, there are some hat patterns for sewing on Craftsy and Ravelry has some for the knitters and crocheters as well.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

Not only show us how to make a hat but how to decorate it. And where to find the materials to decorate it. Thanks…from Sunny South Texas.

Abby D Hinds
Abby D Hinds

Yes more hat projects
Is the pattern for this hat available?

Connie Ehrhard
Connie Ehrhard

I would love some really clear and precise instructions on making hats. I cannot be in the sun so wide brim hats are a necessity for me.

Jo Hovey
Jo Hovey

Did a quick search:

You would be shocked how many patterns for hats are available. Dozens. Oodles. Lots.

Laura
Laura

More, more, more PLEASE! I adore hats!!

Helen
Helen

I’ve been cutting hats in pieces to attach to my riding helmet for a couple of years. Won’t ride my horse without a helmet and they’re only made with tiny sun visors. Would love patterns I can adapt to my helmets.

gerri nathanson-cook
gerri nathanson-cook

I would love to see hat patterns I live in the part of Indiana that borders Louisville KY and two days a year at least hats are the most important accessory going. A good Oaks and Derby Hat are essential

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Gayle from Boston
Gayle from Boston

Yes! Especially on how to alter a hat pattern so that it fits.

Natalie
Natalie

Yes!! My daughter loves to wear hats, if we could design our own that would be really fun!! Thanks for the tips!!

Sue Hager
Sue Hager

Yes, I would like to see more about making hats, starting from the beginning for beginners.
I would also need patters, or where to get hat patterns.

Debbie Haakenson
Debbie Haakenson

Yes, I’ve wanted to make hats for years. I thought they can’t really be all that difficult to make, but I didn’t know where to start.

KAY
KAY

YES, MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HAT MAKING

Jane Cairns
Jane Cairns

Love to see some more hat patterns. Thanks 🙂

M
M

Yes!
Hats Please!

Andrea
Andrea

Yes, please! I’ve never made a hat, but have been curious about their construction for a long time. Would love an instructional!

Mary M
Mary M

I am interested in making hats.

Orla V.
Orla V.

I always wanted to learn how to make hats – a tutorial would be wonderful.

Thank you so much for all your hard work – the site is incredible!

Carol
Carol

Yes more hats!!

Mags
Mags

A tutorial on constructing hats would be marvelous!

Ramona
Ramona

I just started wearing hats. I would love to make one. I’m tempted to take apart one I bought! I’d love to see more about hats!

Shirley
Shirley

Please, please, please design a pattern for a hat like the one in the picture. I love it! I am new to sewing so I am not confidente I can make it on my own just yet. Thanks!

Monica
Monica

I wear hats a lot in Australia but had thought the only hat I could make would only suit the Beach. Now you have me inspired to try something smarter! A tute would be great for a nice hat to wear shopping.

Marvel LaPorte
Marvel LaPorte

I have collected vintage hats ever since I was a young woman. I would love to learn how to make a hat. It would be great to have tutorials on how to make some. I also have kind of a large head. Oh yes and by the way I have worn every hat in my collection at some point; even if it was just going out for the evening lol. I love them. If you did some you would make me a happy camper. Thanks

Deborah
Deborah

I’d love to see a pattern and tutorial for that red felt hat. Pretty please?

Kirsty
Kirsty

Yes please! I live in sunny Australia with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world! Hat wearing here is a must!!!!

Betty
Betty

Yes please. I love hats but have a small head so would love tutorials on hats. Big floppy and alternative winter wear and how about a visor?? Thanks.

Alice Bowers
Alice Bowers

Yes, please. More on hats..Thank you

Sandra
Sandra

YES. More tutorials and patterns and where to purchase millinery supplies.
Thank you.

Mickey
Mickey

I have the opposite problem. My head is small and I look for hats in the junior girls department. Would love more on making hats.