Make your own vintage inspired hats

[swinggal]

Ah yes, these 3. Not really a fan of the last set. I like a couple in the first two sets and the patterns are pretty cheap at least.

 

[deadpandiva]

I really only like the top veiw of the last pattern. I love the two center veiws of the first one you posted. I have that one and plan to make those soon.

 

[Idledame]

Ive looked at this from Vintage Pattern Lending Library too. Especially the blue one in the middle looks sooo easy. Just 4 pieces of felt for the crown and a brim. It's on my "one of these days" list. The "belting" refers to a non-stretching, non-fraying ribbon or facing for the inside sweatband, to keep the crown from stretching ( it's used sometimes for belt backing or sometimes to keep the waistband of skirts from stretching. It's usually the type of ribbon that has ridges going across the width. Apparently, felt for hats is different than what you would get in a fabric/craft store though I bet it would work. A felt hat I have like the blue one is sewn with regular seams but then trimmed REAL close to the seams inside. A ribbon hides the overcast seam that joins the brim to the crown.

 

[swinggal]

Ah yes, I know what you mean Marcie. A bit like grosgrain. LD had real problems with that pattern you showed. She said none of the pieces fit together in the D hat.

 

[Idledame]

Well, it looks so simple that I was going to make my own pattern. How hard can it be......?

 

[Lady Day]

The simplest looking patterns are always the most difficult to make right.

Its that crown that was the biggest problem. Its WAY too pointed, and adjusting the point, even in the smallest way, mis-shapes the entire hat.
Not to mention the brim is way too small for the provided crown, so there's a whole other world of hurt there.
Ill post the one I made after I did literally a day of alterations on it. Im still not completely pleased with it.

LD

 

[Idledame]

The fact that I have a vintage hat just like it to help me make a pattern would definitely make it easier. Ok, now it's at the top of my "one of these days" list.

 

[Tenuki]

Eerie, I too was recently looking at the very same hats on the Vintage Pattern Lending Library site. It must be a sign that I should make a hat to go with the Folkwear 30s Day dress I'm currently sewing. I will try D-3 in a coordinating color and post my results. What a terrific thread!

 

[swinggal]

I think the D is the one Lady Day tried to make and the pattern pieces didn't fit (read further back in her thread). Let me know how it goes because if they was a problem with the pattern in the past they make have rectified it by now. I'd like to make D and A.

 

[Tenuki]

I'd thought I'd try to draft the pattern myself from the photos, swinggal. Not that I'm a genius milliner, but I think it would be fun to try and draft a hat pattern and make a test muslin. It's just a dress for your head, so how tough can it be, right? [huh]

 

[Lady Day]

Here is the hat. I made it to go with my NRA double breasted dress. The fabric is silk, but I interfaced it to give it stiffness. The crown was pointer than this in the first attempt and I spent hours shaping the pieces down to make them sit better. The brim never fit (too small) so on this one i had to make a larger piece.

There is still too much puckering in the back than what I wanted and I dont rightly like the way it sits on me all too well.

LD

 

[swinggal]

Hmmm, yes. I see what you mean LD. Surely a bunch of people would have emailed her and told her that the pattern is wrong and she needs to fix it. I wonder how many other people have attempted this hat and the same thing happened as you LD. If you had trouble as an experienced sewer there is no way I could fix it.
I might email her and see hat she says. If the problem has been rectified I'll give it a go. What size was your pattern LD?

 

[Lady Day]

I mean its a $9 pattern, cant complain too much. The pattern is for a 22 head, and I made the first as is to see how it would fit. This one pictured is for my big old head, so I did modifications to it.

LD

 

[Tenuki]

After checking ladyday's photos, I thought I would buy the pattern rather than drive myself batty with drafting. $9 is certainly a deal for patterns. BTW swinggal, the pattern is available in one size: 22 inch head - the average size woman's head is between 21-23 inches.

Looking at LD's photos, I'm thinking that something sturdier than interfacing might be needed, like perhaps buckram or coat weight interfacing?

The fabric is lovely LD.

 

[Lady Day]

Yeah, the hat is soft, and lined. I didnt want it too firm, but its got a good body to it, more so than it appears. The brim I like a lot, its the crown that can go jump off a cliff.

LD

 

[Lauren]

That's too bad. I've had my eye on those for a while, too. I really like all the patterns I've gotten from her.
I don't think they'll edit the pattern, cause I think she tries to remain as true to the original source material as possible. [huh]

 

[crwritt]

22 inch head - the average size woman's head is between 21-23 inches.

My head must be way bigger than average.

 

[swinggal]

I don't mind paying WAY more than $9, that's not the issue, but I don't want to get everything cut out and then nothing fits together like LD said. Just a waste of good materials as I want to make mine out of felt. Maybe I could do a practice one with an old woolen, felty coat from a thrift store first

 

[Lady Day]

You can have mine. PM me your addy and Ill mail it out next week. You might have better luck than me

LD

 

[swinggal]

Thanks LD. You are a sweetie. I'm going to email her first and see if she did fix the pattern. Will let you know. If you do send it will pay for postage and send you a little something vintage from here in return for your troubles

Will PM you when I hear back from her.