Handmade Women's Cloche Hat

The basic design of a cloche hat is in the shape of a bell.

Cloche hats were popular in the '20s, but you may see people wearing these hats today. "Cloche" is French for "bell." A cloche hat is shaped like a bell. These hats were inspired by traditional headdresses like the turban and tiara. Cloches today are made in a variety of fabrics and styles. You can make a simple cloche or find a pattern for a complicated design. Cloches may be knitted, sewn or crocheted, but the easiest way to make a cloche is with a basic, unadorned design that you can sew together from a few pieces of your chosen fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Cloche hat pattern
• Scissors
• 1/3 yard of fabric
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Sewing needle
• Pins

Instructions

1. Lay out your fabric and place the paper from your trim pattern flat on the cloth. Cut around the paper to make the trim piece. The trim is shaped like a shark's fin. Your pattern may have a trim that is two pieces that you need to cut out separately and then sew together.

2. Place the triangle-shaped piece from your pattern on the cloth and cut out one piece. Make three identical pieces. These pieces make up the body of the cloche hat. Your pattern may instead call for six pieces. All the pieces are equal in size and shaped like a sharp tooth with rounded edges.

3. Turn the four body pieces inside out, and sew them together with a needle and thread. Use a sewing machine if your fabric is not too delicate. Make sure the seams are all on the same side. Turn the body right side out so that you cannot see the seams.

4. Gather the trim piece and stitch 1.5 inches from one end to an equal distance from the opposite end.

5. Sew the trim to the front of the hat with a needle and thread, allowing the trim to stick over the edge of the body. Use a sewing machine if you prefer to have a fancy-looking stitch and your fabric is strong.

6. Try on the hat. Wear your hat pulled down to your eyebrows to give you a coquettish look.

7. Add any extra embellishments you desire, such as a band, buckle, feathers or flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• Cloche hats look best on people with small heads; they may look quite unattractive when worn by people with large heads. A scarf can give you a similar effect to a cloche hat. Try tying a scarf around your head to get an idea if a cloche hat will look good on you before making it.

References

• Hats in the Belfry: Women's Cloche Hats
• Art Deco Society of California: How to Gatsby
• Elizabeth Abernathy: Recycled Felted Sweater Cloche Hat With Pattern
• Retro Modern Housewife: Make Your Own Cute Cloche Hat