In honour of this lovely weather, I am sharing with you instructions for a vintage inspired bucket hat. To me, this is the perfect summer hat. It offers just the right amount of shade without having a rim that is too small or too big. I will be making several more this summer so I am sure to have one on hand to match any outfit.

Let's get started, shall we?

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Paper & Pen for Pattern Making
• Fabric
• Lining Fabric
• Heavy Interfacing
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Bias Tape

I chose a vintage fabric that I picked up during an op-shop trip a few months ago with Ra Ra's Kathy. It was tucked in amongst the tablecloths and bedding area although I'm not sure what it was originally used for. The two large rectangles were about the size of pillowcases, but only one sided. Perhaps they were extra large placemats? At any rate, there was plenty for this hat (and I used the same fabric to line it instead of using a separate fabric).

So to start, we have the only slightly tricky part...the pattern:

Do feel free to vary the height of the pieces and the difference in the sides to alter the way it looks. Also note that this hat sits right on top of the head (a good gust of wind and it is in danger of blowing off!), so if you want one to fit tighter make both the top line of the rim and the bottom line of the middle piece larger.

The actual sewing of this hat is very easy. To start:

[caption id="attachment_3674" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 1[/caption]

Step 1: Fold your fabric in half and pin down the pattern pieces. Cut them out. You will need:

• 1 Top fabric, 1 Top lining (can be the same fabric)
• 2 Middle fabric, 2 Middle lining (can be the same fabric)
• 4 Rim fabric, 2 heavy interfacing

[caption id="attachment_3675" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 2[/caption]

Step 2: Pin each of the two pieces together at the sides and stitch (note: you will have the middle section main fabric, middle section lining fabric, rim section main fabric--2 sets and 1 interfacing).

Step 2B (sorry, I forgot to photograph this part!): Open up the middle section and pin it to the top (right sides facing). Do this for the main fabric section and the lining section. Pay attention to the fact that the seams on the hat are at the sides of the head when wearing it. So when you pin on the top, the narrower part (that is 13.5 cm) runs from seam to seam on the middle piece.

[caption id="attachment_3676" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 3[/caption]

Step 3: Pin the two rim main fabric sections to the interfacing. Take the first one and pin a fabric layer on top (right side facing out). Then pin the second fabric layer on (right side facing the other fabric layer). Pin them together along the bottom edge and stitch.

[caption id="attachment_3677" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 4[/caption]

Step 4: Fold the outer fabric layer around (so the interfacing is now in the middle and the right side of both fabric layers face out). Pin the three pieces together at the top and stitch close to the edge.

[caption id="attachment_3678" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 5[/caption]

Step 5: (Pictured) Pin the stitched together top and middle section to the rim (right sides facing). Stitch. NOTE: Line up the side seams on the rim and the middle section. The widest part of the rim aligns with the shortest part of the middle section.

Step 5B: Take the lining section of the top and middle and place it inside so that the right side of the fabric is facing out. Pin to the rim and stitch.

[caption id="attachment_3682" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 6[/caption]

Step 6: Cover the raw edges of the rim seam with bias tape and stitch down.

[caption id="attachment_3683" align="alignnone" width="630"] Step 7[/caption]

Step 7: (Optional) Stitch along the edge of the rim.

And that's it! Let's have a look:

If you have any trouble at all with it, feel free to ask questions. Always happy to help!

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