Sewing Patterns to Sew Sun Protection Hats

Keeping your skin protected is one of the best ways to prevent sun damage and possible skin cancers. A hat with a brim all the way around, can protect your ears and neck as well as your face.

• Protect the little ones by sewing up these free patterns for a Fluted Sun Hat or a Ruffled Bonnet
• Wild Ginger Software offers a free download of Wild Things!. This free software is a fully functional program for drafting patterns for hats, bags, wraps, and footwear.
• Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick and So Vintage Patternsare all pattern catalogs that offer hat patterns in conjunction with other patterns.
• Blue Sky Hat Pattern by Amy Butler reminds me of a favorite hat I had made in the 70's with a matching sun dress. The hat is perfect because of the wide brim, which offers great sun protection.

Tips for Sewing Hats

• Interfacing is a key ingredient in making hats. Timtex or fabric bowl weight interfacing are a popular choice for sewing hat brims that will maintain their shape. (Thanks to a forum member sharing, I discovered that, Long Creek Mills has an interfacing called Stiffy, that works as well as other brand name interfacing for MUCH less money. I'm on my second bolt of Stiffy and have not had any problems with Stiffy)
• No matter what hat you are making, odds are it is round. Sewing in the round you to use a seam guide and watch the guide rather than the fabric. Take your time and clip so the seams will bend the way they are intended to. Sew Perfect Seams
• Grading the seams removes heavy seam allowances and allows the hat to lay properly. How to Grade a Seam
• Press! Pressing may seem like a challenge because of the shapes involved in hats. Don't let it stop you from pressing! Use pressing tools to achieve professional results!
• One of the many reasons people don't wear hats is that they hold in heat... great in the winter but the summer is another story. Sew eyelets in the hat and remove the middle of the eyelets.