How to Sew a Bucket Hat
Bucket hats are a fashionable and comfortable year round option for both adults and children. In sturdy canvas, they provide practical sun protection; however, in warm wools they can be ideal for winter wear. With interfacing and lining, you can even opt for colorful cotton prints for your bucket hats. Sew a bucket hat for a baby or little one, to match your own winter coat, or as a whimsical touch for your own or someone else's summer wardrobe.
Things You'll Need
- Outer fabric
- Lining fabric
- Interfacing
- Tape measure
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Iron and ironing board
Instructions
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1
Choose a bucket hat pattern or trace a bucket hat you already own. Look for a three part bucket hat pattern, with a crown, band and brim. Double check the hat band length against the desired head size with a tape measure to make sure that the finished hat will fit.
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2
Cut all three pattern pieces out of both the outer and lining fabrics. Cut each piece from interfacing. Plan to interface both the outer and lining fabrics if they are lightweight; however, you may find that interfacing only the outer fabric is necessary for heavier weight fabrics.
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3
Seam the ends of the long, rectangular hat band together with the right sides of the fabric facing one another. Press the seam, then pin the crown of the hat into place. Stitch into place, working slowly to keep your seam even. Use scissors to snip through the seam allowance at regular intervals around the seam, but be careful not to clip through the stitching.
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4
Sew the short ends of the brim into a large circle with an open center, assuming your pattern cuts this doughnut shape in more than one piece. Press these seams, then pin into place on the hat band. Sew the brim into place and clip the seam allowance as you did for the crown. Press again to create a smooth line and finish on your bucket hat.
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5
Repeat these steps for the lining, leaving a 2 inch to 3 inch opening between the hat band and crown. Press well.
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6
Turn the bucket hat lining inside out. Place the outer bucket hat into the lining piece with the right side of the fabric facing out. Pin the two layers together and stitch around the brim to join the two as you sew a bucket hat. Trim the seam allowance and clip curves (see Resources) as you did elsewhere. Press well.
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7
Hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.
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Tips & Warnings
Add brooches, flowers, buttons or other accents to your bucket hat.
Try oilcloth for a rain hat.
