How to Make a Newsboy Cap

The newsboy cap was popular with men and boys in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was usually made out of wool or tweed. Today it sewn from a variety of fabrics, as well as knitted or crocheted, and is worn as a fashion statement by both males and females. This style is often referred to as Baker Boy, Jay Gatsby, Eight Panel, and Fisherman's Cap.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth measuring tape
• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 1 yard fabric, or 1/2 yard print fabric and 1/2 yard contrast fabric
• 1/2 yard medium weight interfacing
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

Pattern

1. Measure the circumference of the forehead with a cloth tape measure. Add 1 inch to this measurement for seam allowance. This is the length needed for the cap band.

2. Draw a rectangle on the paper that is 3 inches wide and as long as the measurement for the band. Cut it out.

3. Draw and cut out the piece for the cap brim by creating a triangle that has slightly curved sides. Start with a base that is 2 inches wide. The distance from the right corner of the base to the top corner of the triangle should be 6.5 inches. Add a one-half-inch seam allowance around the brim piece.

4. Draw and cut out the piece for the cap body pattern by creating another triangle with a base that is 3.75 inches wide and a height of 7 inches. Curve the sides out slightly. Add a one-half-inch seam allowance around the entire piece.

Fabric Pieces

1. Trace and cut out two fabric pieces of the hat band.

2. Trace and cut out two fabric pieces and one piece of interfacing for the hat brim.

3. Trace and cut out 12 to 16 pieces of the cap body pattern, depending on the size and fullness of the cap desired. If you are using two contrasting fabrics, cut half of the pieces from each.

Initial Assembly

1. Interface the brim section and half the cap body pieces.

2. Sew the cap body pieces with right sides together, matching the edges and corners. Start by sewing two pieces together, then add one piece at a time to create the body of the cap. There should be an opening at the center back for turning the cap body. Repeat with the contrasting or lining fabric that has the interfacing attached.

3. Pin the brim sections, right sides together and sew around the outer edge. Trim seam allowance, clip corners, turn and press.

4. Sew the cap band together at the center back seam. Sew the band facing in the same way.

5. Measure around the circles formed by the bands and divide the distance into the number of sections you will be using for the cap body. Place pins to indicate positions of cap body sections.

Final Assembly

1. Match the seams of one of the cap bodies with the pins on one of the bands, right sides together. Make small pleats for a proper fit. Sew the cap body to the band along the edge. Topstitch along the outside where the two pieces meet. Repeat with other cap body and band.

2. Pin both cap bodies and bands together. Right sides should be facing with all seams matching. Insert the brim, matching its raw edges with the raw edges of the other pieces. Continue pinning it.

3. Sew a 1-inch seam around the raw edges of the band, leaving at least 2 inches for turning.

4. Turn the newsboy cap right side out and turn the remaining raw edges and lining in, and press the seams and the edges. Topstitch along the bottom of the band, making sure to sew the opening closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the pleats are all the same size and face the same way.

References

• Newsboy Cap
• Wild Ginger Softward

Resources

• Crocheted Newsboy cap