Free Pattern: Make a Hat

Free Pattern Make a Hat

Are you a hat person?  Have you ever sewn yourself a hat?  It’s been a while since I did a free pattern on this blog, but here is a hat pattern I hope you’ll like.

This hat has an oval crown, with side seams on the crown’s side and brim.  It has a slightly deeper brim than a classic bucket hat.  It’s easy to machine wash and can be squashed into a handbag or suitcase.

 

Free Pattern Make a Hat yellow hat

 

Fabric: Suitable fabrics are quilting cotton, drill, lightweight denim or baby cord.  As always, choose a fabric that you love and will enjoy wearing.

I used brown linen for one hat and yellow spotty cotton drill for the other.  Both came from Spotlight a long time ago.  I was originally going to make a hat in baby cord (I was thinking of a Corduroy Day project).  However, while I was searching for fabric I came across these offcuts which I liked better, and ended up making two hats.

How much fabric?  If you’re buying some you’ll need 45cm of 110 wide fabric, and the same of firm interfacing.  A lining can be easily cut out of a fat quarter.  However, you probably have something suitable at home in that fabric stash or left from something else.

Choose a firm interfacing, preferably iron-on.  I used Shapewell (a firm woven sew-in) because I didn’t have anything else handy.

Pick something fun for the lining; it will make you smile each time you put your hat on.  Here are the insides of my hats:

 

Free Pattern Make a Hat inside view brown hat

The brown linen hat has roses, from the collection of 1960’s fabric.

Free Pattern Make a Hat inside view yellow hat

The spotty hat also has a lining cut from the collection of 1960’s fabric.

Free Pattern Make a Hat inside view blue hat

My old blue hat has gingham. I’m wearing this hat while gardening here.

Free Pattern Make a Hat inside view old old hat

My old old version of this hat has fabric from favourite skirt.

Sizes and fit: You’d be surprised how many people in this world have big heads and have trouble finding hats to fit (or not, if you’re one of them).  A survey once in my sewing class revealed one in four are above the “average” 56cm (22″) head size.  This pattern is in sizes 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm and 62cm head circumference; pick the size to match the measurement of your head.  The pattern measures slightly bigger than the head measurement to allow for the stitching and the thickness of the fabric.  If you discover you need to tweak the fit, the interior ribbon can be cut up to 1.2cm (1/2″) smaller or bigger than the instruction’s measurement, and stretched or eased onto the hat.

Patterns: Download the hat pattern – all sizes are together.  It’s on 4 pages, landscape.  Be sure to print at 100%.  Sticky tape the sheets together matching the crosses at the corners.

Free Pattern Make a Hat All Sizes nested

UPDATE: Apologies, there is no test square but the height of the crown pattern measures exactly 11cm in the centre. 

For a classic bucket hat with a circular, rather than oval, top, there’s an optional round top (all sizes, one page):

Free Pattern Make a Hat Optional round top

 

Instructions:

Free Pattern Make a Hat Instructions page 1

Some photos to supplement the instructions:

 

Free Pattern Make a Hat all the pieces

Step 1 Cut out all the bits.

Free Pattern Make a Hat crown sewn

Step 2 Make the crown, one in lining and one in main fabric.

Free Pattern Make a Hat tiny snips to sew the crown

Sew the Top onto the Side with the side uppermost. Make some tiny snips in the Side to help it match the curve while you sew.

Free Pattern Make a Hat joining the crowns together

Join the two crowns together at the top, catching it at the quarter points.

Free Pattern Make a Hat joining the brim pieces

Step 3 Sew the brims together around the edge.

Free Pattern Make a Hat brim topstitching

Run some topstitching around the brim…

Free Pattern Make a Hat ric rac detail

…or some braid or ric rac…

Free Pattern Make a Hat triangular stitching detail

…or some fancy stitching like my old old hat.  There are eight triangles around this brim.

Free Pattern Make a Hat brim and crown ready

Step 4 The crown and brim ready to be joined.

Free Pattern Make a Hat brim and crown seam

The crown and brim pinned together waiting to be sewn.

Free Pattern Make a Hat attaching the ribbon

Step 5 Adding the interior ribbon.

Enjoy this hat pattern.

Cheers!

 

PS – Running Mom, here’s how to make the crown deeper:

sketch making the crown deeper resized

42 Comments

  1. Linda on November 22, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    Gorgeous hat Liz! I particularly like the large brim. I shall definitely be downloading the pattern. It is perfect for having in your bag while out and about. Thank you

    • lizhaywood on November 23, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Thank you Linda. I hope you have fun sewing it.

      • Jonathan Harmon on October 28, 2020 at 9:08 am

        Thank you so much for the free pattern. I am using this for base measurements for a Henry Jones Sr hat as a gift for my brother. I also plan to make one for myself. This is exactly what I was looking for.



      • lizhaywood on October 28, 2020 at 10:47 am

        Ah yes, it would be a good base for a Henry Jones sr hat. Hope it goes really well for you!



  2. Jim on April 3, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    Hi Liz, Thank you very much for providing this pattern and excellent instructions- I really appreciate it! I just finished making this hat from 12oz canvas (it is for bush walking and general rough use). I would like to make another one straight away, but this time with a brim that isn’t quite as ‘dipped’. My wife loves the one I have already made so she can have it and I will tackle another. To make the brim less dippy, I would just make the brim pieces with a slightly tighter curve (as if they belong to a circle with smaller diameter), but to the same internal measurement (such that it will match the crown), wouldn’t I? Okay thank you very much again and have a great week.

    • lizhaywood on April 3, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      Hi Jim, I am thrilled that you enjoyed my pattern. When you say you’d like it “less dipped”, do you mean you don’t want it to sit so low over the eyes? If so, you’ll need to “cut and spread” the outer edge of the brim (and, like you said, keep the same internal measurement so it will match the crown). Cut one out in paper and pin it to the hat you’ve already made to check it. Cheers!

      • Alex on June 23, 2021 at 1:57 pm

        Hi Liz,
        Thank you for the pattern…and for letting me know that I am not the only large head wandering in the one size fits all wilderness!



      • lizhaywood on June 23, 2021 at 9:55 pm

        You’re welcome Alex – there’s more of you out there than anyone realizes!



  3. Liesbeth on May 8, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    Hello Liz,
    I found your hat pattern. And would like to make it. But can you help me? I am from Holland and the meaning of 1 cm seam allowances is a bit difficult for me. Is the seam allowance already in the pattern or do I have to measure it? It is because of the language that I do not understand. That’s why I hope you can help me. Thank you very much. Liesbeth

    • lizhaywood on May 8, 2019 at 11:01 pm

      Hello Liesbeth,
      The pattern already has the seam allowance included. You don’t need to add anything.
      I hope you enjoy making your hat, and please leave another comment if you need help. Cheers!

  4. Julie Porter on July 24, 2019 at 2:21 am

    I have just found your pattern – thank you! My husband has been badgering me to make him a hat in a ridiculously loud fabric but I was holding off until I found a good pattern. Now I have. No excuses now! 🙂

    • Liz Haywood on July 24, 2019 at 9:18 am

      You’re welcome Julie, I hope you enjoy making it. Mine are still going strong and the old ones still get worn for gardening jobs.

  5. Tania on September 10, 2019 at 9:56 am

    I made your hat pattern on Saturday …I’m thrilled with how it turned out. Great instructions resulted in a finish I am proud of. (This is rare). Thank you!

    • lizhaywood on September 10, 2019 at 11:39 am

      That’s wonderful. Thanks for commenting.

  6. Gus on January 4, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    Made this bucket hat today out of an old red towel to, it turned out a bit cock-eyed as my cutting was not very accurate and didn’t put a proper seam round the edges so it would fray and give a regety look.
    Overall a bloody good pattern with good crown depth which is often hard to find in a hat

    • lizhaywood on January 4, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      Cheer Gus, thanks for using my pattern. I’m with you on crown depth 🙂 I hope you enjoy wearing it.

      • Therése on November 4, 2020 at 11:32 pm

        Hi Liz, I’m so glad I came across your pattern. It was detailed yet easy to understand and follow and my finished hat was near perfect for me a beginner. Thank you.



      • lizhaywood on November 4, 2020 at 11:52 pm

        You are very welcome! Best wishes for your future sewing adventures 🙂



  7. Beth H on April 9, 2020 at 7:24 am

    Thank you so much for the pattern. We are on lockdown over here in US and it made my afternoon pass in an enjoyable way! The sizing is perfect.

    • lizhaywood on April 9, 2020 at 8:54 am

      The best thing we can do is stay at home right now. Thanks for giving my pattern a go! And leaving a lovely comment too.

  8. Darlene Orlowski on June 22, 2020 at 10:17 am

    I love my hat! But I went wrong somewhere – the seam is in the front. What did I do wrong?

    • lizhaywood on June 22, 2020 at 11:53 am

      Many thanks; I’m glad you like it. The top of the hat needs to have the seams at the sides of the oval – easy to get around the wrong way when you’re in the throes of sewing but probably doesn’t affect the fit of the hat too much 🙂

      • Darlene Orlowski on July 29, 2020 at 3:28 am

        I just finished another hat and I got it perfect this time. Thanks so much! I love this hat!



      • lizhaywood on July 29, 2020 at 8:31 am

        Excellent work! Thanks for commenting 🙂



  9. soupizon josiane on June 23, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    bonjour et merci pour le chapeau

    • lizhaywood on June 24, 2020 at 12:04 am

      You’re welcome!

  10. Running Mom on July 27, 2020 at 1:31 am

    Thank you for this hat pattern. I like your diagrams and instructions. I’ve been asked to make this type of hat for my son. Almost no “off the shelf” hats fit his 25” head (size 8 hat size). He also has a deeper crown. Do you have any suggestions on adapting the pattern to his head size or do you have a pattern already available in his size? Thank you for your help.

    • lizhaywood on July 27, 2020 at 8:59 am

      Hi Running Mom! Your son’s head size is just one size bigger than the pattern – he is about a 64cm and the largest size is 62cm. Print off the pattern and draw in the next size following the arrangement of the other sizes.
      To make the crown deeper, I’ve put a how-to diagram at the end of the post. Might be trial and error to find out exactly how much deeper to make it, but you could pin the paper pattern together and try it on his head to get an idea.
      When you sew it, cut a 68cm interior ribbon.
      Best wishes!

  11. Eleanor Farlow-Hill on September 28, 2020 at 8:48 am

    Thanks for the wonderful pattern. I’ve been making masks during the pandemic and wanted to try something more interesting. Since I do a lot of gardening, I like to wear a hat when I’m out in the sun. Your pattern is great and the directions are easy to follow!

    • lizhaywood on September 28, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      You’re welcome Eleanor! I wear mine all the time in the garden 🙂

  12. Wilma Somerville on October 15, 2020 at 11:28 am

    Just looking at your photos, it appears you have extended the depth of the crown on brown hat. If so, could you let me know how much you have extended it by please. Looks great.

    • lizhaywood on October 15, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Wilma, the hats are all the same, made from the same pattern with the same crown depth. Maybe the camera angle tricks the eye?
      But, last week I made this hat for my daughter who asked for a deeper crown after trying on my hats (photo is here). I made it 1cm deeper but she’s since told me that now it’s too deep and the original was fine. Seems that daily wearing is the best way to perfect the nuance of fit 🙂

  13. Catherine on October 19, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Hi Liz, thanks for the pattern. I just finished one yesterday and I’m reasonably happy with my efforts. I plan to have another go with the round crown but thought I would just check a couple of things before I start. When doing a head measurement do you measure where the hat sits ie across the forehead and down behind the ears? I did this and got about 57cm and so used the pattern guide for 58cm. Also, is there any way to double check after printing the pattern that it has come out the right size? Looking forward to having another go at it. Thank you!

    • lizhaywood on October 19, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      Hi Catherine, thanks for your comment and questions.
      For measuring the head, I put the tape measure above the eyebrows and take it around the head horizontally. Hair type, hairstyle and frequency of haircuts can affect head size but if the 58cm is okay for you I would stick to it.
      Re: checking the pattern’s printing, the height of the crown pattern measures exactly 11cm in the centre. Sorry I see there’s no test square to measure – I was a bit new to making digital patterns when I did this one.
      Best wishes for your next hat 🙂

  14. Monica on June 4, 2021 at 1:24 am

    Hi Liz,
    What a lovely pattern and so kind of you to provide it for free. I really look forward to making one of these, but… I was wondering how you would hack it into a reversible hat. Could I just do some kind of flip through a small opening at the crown-brim assembly, or do I really need the ribbon for form and fit?

    • lizhaywood on June 4, 2021 at 7:50 am

      Hi Monica, I saw one the other day that someone had made reversible. She made two hats and joined them together around the edges of the brim – she pressed under the brims edges and topstitched them together.

      • Monica on June 4, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        Thanks, yes, that would also work! Now onto cutting 🙂



  15. Annie on May 16, 2022 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks so much for the pattern. I’ve now made two—one oval and one round top. They fit well and look good too. Originally I put the seam in the front like one of the other commentators so I had to redo the first one. I used left overs from a skirt for the lining like you suggested and it is fun to see that fabric when I put the hat on. Thanks again and glad I discovered your website.

    • lizhaywood on May 17, 2022 at 10:31 am

      You’re welcome Annie, I’m glad it worked well for you and thanks for reading my blog 🙂

  16. Yasmin Kennedy on December 29, 2022 at 8:41 pm

    I’m making my first hat, wish I’d read the comments before as I now realise I’ve made the same mistake as Darlene – never mind, I am sure I’ll be better with the next one! I used bikram for the interfacing – just wondering do you recommend cutting that with the seam allowance removed to allow for easier sewing and joining? Or would you use something a little less firm than bikram?

    • lizhaywood on December 29, 2022 at 9:22 pm

      Hi Yasmin, thanks for trying my pattern 🙂
      RE seam allowances on the interfacing, I personally never remove it (it makes it quicker to cut because everything can be cut at once), but lots of people like to. It’s no big deal either way, really.
      Do you mean buckram? I would have thought it’s a too little firm for a hat, however, if you like the feel of it and it sews OK, then keep on using it.

  17. Yasmin Kennedy on December 30, 2022 at 7:12 am

    Yes, buckram…it was recommended by the store I went to and does say it can be used for hats, but I am finding it a little difficult to turn through after sewing and then shape neatly, leading to my question about removing the seam allowance. I’m redoing the top part of my hat to correct my earlier error and will see how it feels when finished (looks good so far). Next time might try something a little less firm.

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