Wednesday 26 September 2007

A hat for summer


After childcare asked for a summer hat last week and gave back his knitted one, Austy and I trudged into the city with Austy's Dad on Saturday on the hunt for one. In our quick search in Myers, I was mildly frustrated yet again that they never have anything in his size. He's kind of between baby and child, the baby section is supposed to be for size 0-3 and the child section is for 3 onwards. But there is never anything beyond size 1 in the baby section, and it's rare to even find the size 1's. The couple of hats we did find that confessed to being for 50cm heads were actually not that big at all and wouldn't fit my little man's head. Except for one, a gorgeous Peter Rabbit one that was $19.95. But I couldn't bring myself to buy it since I will never see it while it fits (hats stay at childcare) and I already had bought him a spunky new Espirit one a few weeks earlier for wearing while he's NOT in childcare.
So what's a girl to do but whip one up herself. After a long afternoon of Austy screaming and throwing tantrums for 4hrs straight due to his current ear infection, and an assignment to submit as well as a thorough house clean, I decided I had to wind down. And what better way to do it than at the machine sewing concentric circles on a hat brim. I ended up staying up far too late, paying for it this morning and needing extra coffee, but the result is worth it:






I was going to do just a plain hat with the $3 piece of cotton drill (pattern was $4.50 but came with baby overalls patterns that will get used at some point) but I decided to make it a bit more interesting for Austy's sake. I might never see it, but Austy will. So I added the cute Michael Miller fabric lining and a small truck on the front. The trucks were spaced too close together on the fabric to get enough edge for a zigzag applique so I decided to do the freyed edge applique I see on lots of boys clothes these days. It's stitched on with a double straight stitch to stop it freying too far and the full effect won't be realised until it's been thrown in the washing machine.




It fits perfectly, even though the pattern said 12-18m and 48cm. Much better than a bought one as I didn't have to fork out for something I'll never see, and it fits him nicer anyway.


And my bag swap partner Bec has received her bag so I can now reveal my handiwork!




Oh, and my adorable boy wanted a tree photo too after he watched me taking the bag pics there... That's just one of his tree pics from the weekend right at the top of this post. I have a couple in my flickr and a few more on their way there. What a boy!

10 comments:

Heids said...

WOW!!! I'm not sure where to start with my comments...I'll just start at the top and work my way down - that is one gorgeous lad you have there - love the tree pic, Austy is too cute!! (Hope he is feeling better soon, poor little guy)
And what a FAB hat - Joy, just brillant, a shame its going to spend all its time at daycare...I reckon you might be getting some requests from other mum's though, it looks so professional and the truck applique with the frayed edge effect is very trendy!
And, that bag is gorgeous - you had one lucky swap partner!
Sorry for the essay of a comment but I am in awe!

thehummingcat said...

oh, he is lovin that hat, cheeky boy!

Helen said...

That is one cool hat Joy! Love your bag too, love how we have all taken hanging in the tree shots too!

Natalie said...

Wow Joy, the bag you made is just gorgeous!!! I love the colour combination and all the detail you have put in, Bec is very lucky!

I love Austy's new hat too, he is lucky to have a mama that takes such care with a simple item like a hat.

Cass said...

Joy lovely pics of Austy. I love the hat it's great. I commented on the group blog about your bag it's wonderful

Emma said...

Great work on the hat, and what a fabtastic photo of Austy! But I really want to know what the main fabric is on the beautiful bag? Looks like somthing I've been after...

Jen said...

The hat looks terrific, definitely have to add hat to my list of things to do!
And the bag you've made looks absolutely gorgeous, and great colours too!

Heki said...

Austy's hat is gorgeous! I think I may need to pull my finger out and make me a new hat for this summer!
And the bag is beautiful as always!

Anonymous said...

love the hat and the bag is stunning!

Corrie said...

that is so cute the hat but wow on the bag front! if there was a competition for best bag its yours hands down!

oh and my hat was nice but it was for me not keira so no comparison!!!!