How to Make a Puffy Hat

A French chef's toque is one type of puffy hat.

Puffy hats come in a variety of shapes and styles, from chefs' toques to berets. The basic principle behind the hats is to stitch and gather a circle of fabric and attach it to a band that is the size of the wearer's head. Make a basic puffy hat in about 90 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangle of fabric (2-inches width; length is the circumference of wearer's head)
• Circle of fabric (15-inch circumference)
• Thread
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Fold and press fabric rectangle horizontally so that front sides are facing out. Fold cut ends under and pin. Stitch length of fabric to form a rectangular band.

2. Pin ends of band together and stitch. Turn inside out to form finished circular band.

3. Set sewing machine to largest stitch selection. Stitch around outside of fabric circle. Pull bottom thread slowly and carefully so that fabric gathers until it has the same circumference as the circular band.

4. Pin backs of circular band and fabric circle together and stitch.

5. Turn right side out to complete the puffy hat.

Tips & Warnings

• Use any type of fabric for this project, though a lightweight cotton gives the best results. Use white cotton fabric for a traditional chef's hat; however, other fabric colors, prints and combinations may be used to create original hats.

References

• Curly Pops: Make a Chef's Hat
• Ikatbag.com: Chef's Hat