Celebrate...with party hats!

While looking at a very girly princess hat the other day, it occurred to me that I could revamp the design to make a basic party hat.  Seeing as this is Celebrate the Boy month over at Made by Rae and Made, I thought this was the perfect way to get in the spirit!

So, dig out your favorite boy fabric and celebrate your little guy by making him a cute (and super-simple) party hat!

Here's how:

Materials: one 10" x 15" rectangle of outer fabric

                  two 10" x 15" rectangles of duck cloth for interior

                  one 11" piece of 1/8" elastic

                  one 18" piece of trim (rick-rack, pom-poms, etc.)

OR

                  

                  see HERE for an alternate way to line hat, including coordinating cute fabric



Step 1: Make a quick pattern - this hat is 9" long (from point to bottom) on both sides, and about 9" along the curved bottom.  So, the top angle is 60 degrees (hello, junior high math anyone?).
I'm trying my hand at including a pattern here (forgive my superior technical skills...ha ha) - the pattern is hand-drawn, and (I'm pretty sure) upside down.  Oh well - it will save you some math, right?

Step 2: Place one 9" side along the fold of your fabric.  Cut along the other 9" side and the curved bottom.  Repeat for both pieces of duck cloth.

Note: when you open the cut pieces of fabric, they will now be triangles with 9" straight sides, an 18" curved bottom, and a 120 degree angle at the top.



Step 3: Layer the fabric together.  Make sure the right side of your outer fabric is facing out.  I like using a temporary spray adhesive to hold the pieces together vs. pins - much quicker.

Step 4: Baste along the bottom curved edge.  I used about a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 5: Serge (or zigzag or pink) along this edge.

Step 6: Sew down your elastic about 4 1/2 " in from each end of the bottom edge.  I zigzag and straight stitch over the elastic a few times to really secure it (do you think it looks secure?).

Step 7: Sew down your trim, covering up the elastic and serging.  Be sure to move the elastic out of the way so you don't sew it into your trim!  Trim that little bit of elastic sticking out.

Step 8: Fold the hat in half, right sides together, to match each 9" straight edge.  Sew this seam, being sure to backstitch at either end.  Serge (or otherwise finish) this seam.

Step 9: Turn the hat right side out, press and try on your little one. 

Have fun with all the fabric and trim combinations you can make!  I only had this green rick rack on hand when I made these three, but later that day, I raided the trim aisle at Joann's for lots more options.

I also think this would be such a fun project to make with muslin as the outer fabric.  Then, give the kids fabric markers, etc. and let them decorate their own!

Have fun!