Reversible 40’s Inspired Sun Cap with Free Pattern

Sew a Reversible 40’s Inspired Sun Cap with Free Pattern to protect your loved one’s noggins this Summer.

I just got this gorgeous Kei Japanese import Bark Cloth and was inspired to make up a little forties-ish cap-type sunhat.  I hope you like it as much as Miss Niko did!

We have the free Forties Inspired Sun Cap Pattern and full tutorial after the jump!…


40’s Inspired Reversible Sun Cap

Here it is reversed out.  I’d say go for a less bold pattern than these stripes, they look a little strange on the head:

1.  Start by downloading, printing, and cutting out our pattern pieces.  There has been some debate about what size baby this hat will fit in the comments, and I’m realizing that head size is sort of random.  I suggest printing it out as is and holding the middle piece up to baby’s head.  It should be almost as wide as baby’s head, if it’s not then scale the pattern up before printing.  If it’s wider then baby’s head, scale the whole pattern down.  And let us know how the sizing worked for you in the comments.  At the end of the post I’m going to add some pics of some other version and describe the sizing…
Download the free pattern here: Pretty Prudent Sun Cap

2.  Trace your pattern pieces onto your fabric.  You’ll have three pieces for each side (1 middle and 2 sides):

3. Fold your middle piece in half to find the center and with right sides facing, pin the center of one side piece to it:

Pull the ends in and pin them in place, edges aligned:

Continue to pin all the way around:

Sew in place with a 5/8″ seam allowance, then trim the edges:

Repeat with the other side piece, attaching it to the opposite side of the middle piece:

Sew in place and turn right side out:

4.  Do the same with your other set of fabrics for the inside or your hat.  With right sides facing, slide one assembled hat piece into the other like so:

Sew in place around the edge with a 1/4″ seam, leaving a hole for turning on one side, back stitching at the beginning and end:

Turn your hat right side out through the hole, then top stitch about 1/8″ to 1/4″ in all the way around.  You may want to use a different color in the bobbin and spool so your stitches match your fabric:

Measure 1.5″ in all the way around, mark with an air erasable marker, and sew another line of stitches.

You, my friend, are done!

Reader Jmoose made one at the same size as the pattern and it fits her one year old (who wears size 24 month clothes):

I made one for myself with the pattern increased to 120% and it looked like this…a little small, the brim is a little short…

And reader Sara made this one for herself using a different method, which i think turned out way cuter, which I will let her tell you about at her blog My Craft Chronicle:

If you love the DIY Reversible Bonnet & Free Downloadable Pattern, take a look at our other free baby hat and bonnet sewing patterns.

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Crochet Bonnet DIY

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Reversible 40’s Inspired Sun Cap with Free Pattern

DIY Reversible Bonnet & Free Downloadable Pattern

by Jaime