Here’s a quick, easy project that’s also fun and great for stash busting. I’ve wanted to make a hat for a couple of years now, but I never bothered to take the time to do it. Once I made the first one, I couldn’t wait to make another.
McCall’s 8212
When you see this pattern, you’ll notice that it’s a dress pattern. You may not realize that the hat the model is wearing on the pattern envelope is also included.
![McCall's 8212 pattern envelope](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53877401453_28793aef36_c.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
While I haven’t made any of the dresses, I did use this for the first hat. I refer to this one as my floppy hat because it has a very wide brim. There’s interfacing in the brim, but I don’t recall there being any particular type mentioned in the instructions. So, I used fusible, regular weight interfacing that I would use on a garment. That works fine, but if you want more structure, I would recommend using a heavier weight or craft interfacing.
![Picture showing hat brim](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53877167791_c45b27406a_c.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
My fabric choice was also part of the fun. I had bought this “Girl Power” fabric at JoAnn Fabrics a couple of years ago during Women’s History Month. It’s bright and colorful, so it’s right up my alley. Sewing a hat is a great way to use up some fabric that you may have leftover from a previous project.
The crown of the hat is lined, so for that I just used another leftover piece of broadcloth. There is supposed to be binding inside the crown (between the crown and brim). I believe the point of this is to prevent the crown from stretching. I used fold over elastic in mine, simply because I like the way it looks.
![Inside the hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53857338574_ee95f1d8d9_c.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
And the finished product…
![Woman wearing wide brimmed, colorful hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53856078527_16db3093eb_c-1.jpg?resize=533%2C799&ssl=1)
Simplicity 9368
The hat that I have wanted to make for a while now is the bucket hat. These are still very popular and can range in price from $50-$250.
![Simplicity 9368 pattern envelope](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/S9368_envelope_front__61878.jpg?resize=480%2C660&ssl=1)
I made View B which is shown on the envelope made in what looks like wool. There was another fun fabric I had for this one too.
![Bucket hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53856968366_667ff7e1d6_c.jpg?resize=799%2C533&ssl=1)
This one is made with fabric I purchased for Black History Month. The great thing about this patten is that it is reversible. And, it was a bit of a surprise because the pattern doesn’t say that.
![Reverse side of bucket hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53856078417_a2dfc2fbe7_c.jpg?resize=799%2C533&ssl=1)
For the inside (or reverse side – lining) I used more of the “Girl Power” fabric from the previous hat. Each one of these projects came together in an afternoon. The bucket hat in particular was the fastest to make. There are fewer pieces. The only measurement needed for either is the head circumference.
![Woman wearing bucket hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53877400393_e2de1acc98_c.jpg?resize=450%2C800&ssl=1)
![Woman wearing bucket hat](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/53877579200_3094003502_c.jpg?resize=450%2C800&ssl=1)
Basically, that’s it! Two quick and easy projects that can help with your stash-busting too.
If you’d like to see the YouTube video I made about these projects, you can check that out here… And please consider subscribing to my channel!