Sunday, April 27, 2014

Sew New Beginnings!



Hello, peeps, I know, apologies are due. I've been a while posting. Mainly because my life has gotten a bit stressful for the last few months. In December, my husband had a stroke. No worries, he is alright, but it just adds to his problems. He just had spinal fusion in his lower back to repair scoliosis and stenosis of the spine. In betweens, our marriage became an issue because of all the stress. I went to therapy and with support from my therapist, I starting confronting problems at home and at work. Home life is great, but I put in my resignation after trying really hard to find a solution to the problems. This is a job I've had for over ten years. But I will be okay. I was scared at first, but thinking about it, I know I couldn't stay any longer without sacrificing my personal mental health. I've gained 30 lbs in the last year, eating my feelings down and trying to cope. The last word on this, I promise.

I am all about my sewing. I am going to look at ways to make this a living. Sew, back to the reasons for this blog. I was teaching a class on how to make a sunhat. Since we haven't been able to meet, I am going to use this blog to complete the project. First of all, I've given everyone the sunhat pattern.

I recommended we use a Lurenna Buck Design.   A very simple pattern.  Everyone needs to get enough fabric to make an outside and inside lining.

For fun, I used a bright cat fat quarter selection.


Sew, the first thing is putting the pieces together after printing on 8"x11".  The pattern requires six crown pieces and one brim, and a second six crown pieces and brim in a lining a fabric.  The crown pieces are fairly simple to put together if you follow certain steps.  For example, you sew three pieces together at a time before connecting them together. 
 
 Sew two pieces together and then turn them to the right side, as the picture shows.  Lay the third piece over the right side and sew it. 
 
 
Sew, lay the third piece on top of the two right side pieces and sew it.  After sewing three pieces together, sew the next three pieces together the same way.  Trim the seams as you go along.
 
When you sew the two three piece section together, iron out the center piece as indicated here in the image, make sure the center at the top is lined up.  When you sew, the sew line should intersect at the top.
 
Trip the seam and turn inside out.
 
Complete the process again for the lining cap.  Your points should look the same as below and the crowns should look similar as images here.  You can top stitch at all the seams at this point if you like.
 












Sew, next is the brim.  Interface the piece that will be the under brim.  I used regular medium interfacing, but use a heavier interfacing if you want the brim to be stiffer.  I like a floppy brim. 
 
After interfacing, sew the back seam of the brim and trim it. This shoud make a circle. 
 
Do this for both the top and the lining.  You are going to sew crown and brim together.

When you have done this, sew both pieces (right sides facing) together around the brim and leaving about four inches open on the brim to turn the hat inside out.
 
Turn the hat inside out. Next, you need to edge stitch the hat where we had the open seam.  I suggest you sew the base of the crown and brim.  You can use other top stitching to add to the trim.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Final product, hat is finished.  This crazy mess will be perfect for working in the yard.  Until next time, à bientôt.