Make the cutest hat for kids using a free bucket hat pattern. This tutorial shows how to make a bucket hat. Check out my simplified step-by-step instructions for beginners and make one too!
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How To Make A Bucket Hat - Tutorial
Remember the bucket hat pattern I used to make this hat for my kid some time ago? My kid loves it and so do I, in fact it's my FAVORITE piece I've sewn so far for kids! And judging from your responses, many of you like it too, a good reason to help you make it yourself! Do you want to make one yourself? Read on, below is an easy bucket hat TUTORIAL waiting for you:)
Why I love this sun hat (and why you might too):
- It fits perfectly. (Some hats don't.)
- It doesn't keep falling off. (Some hats do.)
- The brim is just the perfect size for keeping the little face from direct sun. (Some hat brims aren't.)
- Comfortable!
- So totally cute, cute, cute! (Especially if you get to choose your fav fabrics!)
- The pattern is FREE!
2) A SEWING TRICK TO MAKE IT EASIER
To me, it simply looks like the best bucket hat pattern I've ever bumped into! However, I need to admit that the project might not be very easy to sew for beginners (which I see as the only downside of the otherwise brilliant and clear instructions provided).
Well, but then again, why not make things easier, right? 😉 You might want to try out what I call the 'inside-out technique' after I learned it from a wonderful book, but that's another story. I'll just show you how I used it as a kind of shortcut to make the project even easier. And if you like it, you can make it this way (the result will be the same as if you followed the original instructions).
3) FREE BuCket Hat PATTERN
EDITED AUGUST 5 2019: THE DESIGNER (NOT ME) HAS STARTED CHARGING FOR THIS PATTERN AND IT IS UNFORTUNATELY NO LONGER FREE. I respect the designer's decision and am sure they had good reasons to do so. Regardless, I'm keeping my below tutorial free and when I find some time, I might design my own free pattern for you. The pattern I was referring to is one by Oliver+S that is no longer a free pattern. BUT I'VE GOT YOU COVERED: There are a few alternatives and I'm linking to a few other free bucket hat patterns for you - see the new free bucket hat list LIST AT THE BOTTOM of this tutorial!
3) My SIMPLIFIED Bucket Hat TUTORIAL (updated):
1) Grab the cutest two pieces of matching fabrics you've got in your stash. Or get some adorable ones. I love these gorgeously cute cotton prints I have found at peek-a-boo shop.
2) I used the free Oliver+S bucket hat pattern (see note above) to cut out the parts:
Assemble the Hat Sides and the Brim
3) Sew the two pieces of the sides for the bucket hat together. And the two pieces of the brim, too. In both colors, so you've basically got 4 circular bands:
Join the Crown piece and the Sides of the bucket hat:
4) Now, let's make one color first: pin the 'sides' circular band to the crown (match the triple notch marks!). You'll probably need to use a lot of pins and make tiny cuts into the fabric on the sides' piece to make the pieces match (clearly visible on the photo). Take your time. (Pinning was the hardest part for me as I'm not really a patient 'pinner'):
5) From here on, it just gets easier: just sew all the way around. If you've put the pins like on the picture, it will be easy to remove them as you go.
6) Then topstitch around the sides for a nicer look:
Next: attach the brim to the rest of the Bucket Hat
7) Take the brim piece and pin it to the cap (right sides together!) - you'll just need to put in a few pins. Basically just pin the notches together and add a pin here and there, if you need to:
8) ...aaaand sew all the way around. Easy peasy:
9) To make the seam look prettier, topstitch the brim like you topstitched around the crown (see No 6 above):
10) Repeat steps 4-9 with the other color, and you've got yourself these two beauties:
Join the Two Layers
11) Put the two 'hats' together with the right sides facing each other. Sew the brims (i.e. the largest circle) together, but not all the way round - leave an opening of, let's say 5 cm. You'll need it to turn the hat (... and here the words promised above...) inside out:
12) Now turn it inside out through the opening and you've basically made it! Fingerpress and close (=sew) the opening. Iron the brim so you get an even outer edge. Pin around the sides so you stabilize the brims for stitching (sorry, only the blue side of the hat available here):
Finishing touches: Topstitching the Brim
13) Now, the only thing left to do is stitching the brim (see the lines all the way around the brim of the completed hat? Yes, those.) They will give stability to the hat.
Bonus tip to For Sewing a bucket hat
Here's a bonus tip for topstitching the brim: I used a turquoise thread, which makes the (somewhat squiggly) lines and the (uneven) gaps visible. I just like them as they are (uneven lines have been my signature ;). But there's high chance you will want to hide them, so you can do that by choosing the thread color that will match the fabric. Simple, right?
And here it comes ... another cute hat for a cute head. Didn't I say it's the best bucket hat pattern I've ever seen? Now go, make one for your kid, too.
And if you are looking for some adorable new fabric, you can check out these cute fabrics by peek-a-boo. (They've also got gorgeous animal prints!) Now you can start making your kids' stylish DIY hat collection!
List of free bucket hat patterns for you:
- Muse of the Morning has a reversible children's bucket hat.
- free 3-sized bucket hat pattern for adults at the Afternoon blog
- free bucket hat pattern for toddlers 2-3 years (link)
- free reversible bucket hat from Mister Domestic (2 sizes)
- Art Gallery Fabric site has a free bucket hat pattern
- LESUNNY bucket hat, a free pattern in the German language.
No time to sew now? Save this List And the bucket hat tutorial For Later!
Make sure to save this tutorial for later when you have time to sew a cute little bucket hat:
WANT MORE FREE TUTORIALS AND GOODIES?
Get email updates and never miss out on new patterns, printables and tutorials. If you sign up at THIS link, you’ll also get the Fabric Hanging Basket Template for FREE, right now. A cute and easy-sew!
Or …check out this popular PDF pattern – the Earwarmer Headband pattern in 8 Sizes:
Also, check out this cute earflap beanie pattern in my shop:
An excellent choice for everyone who has children and would love to see their ears protected in the fresh fall (or spring) wind.
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MareMare hi,
thanks for dropping by - there are 3 sizes of this free pattern, up to 6 years. Unfortunately, I have no information about the adult size being available, but you could try using the largest size in the pattern and enlarging it when printing (I'd try 110%)? Hope this helps, xoxo
Ashley Baar
I love your tutorial, so much easy to follow and understand! Just one question though.....Did you press the wrinkles out of your fabric before sewing the pieces together. I just completed sewing the sides of the hat to the crown, on both pieces, and since I did so much pinning and maneuvering of the fabric while sewing and trying to get the pieces to fit together correctly, they are wrinkled. Should I press them again before continuing and adding the brim pieces?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Hi Ashley,
a great question. It will certainly be way easier to iron out any wrinkles now, before you add the brim. Happy sewing,
Anonymous
thank you, this is the easiest and straight forward tutorial for amateurs like me! regards from MAlaysia
Anonymous
Thank you so much, I made the hat today for a one-year old (used small pattern), turned out so cute. Regards from sunny South Africa
Mareike
Hi Damjana,
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I just want to make two of those hats for my sons but I am not sure whether the pattern includes seam allowances?
Regards from Germany 🙂
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Hallo Mareike,
no, I didn't add any seam allowances to the hats I've made so far. If I remember correctly, they are already accounted for (didn't find any instructions about that at Oliver&S' site though...) Allerliebste Grüsse nach Deutschland! <3
CCHS Wrestling
Did you not use the interfacing?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
No, it wasn't needed. THe two fabric layers were just enough for me.
However, try out a version with interfacing if you'd like a sturdy hat.
Anonymous
Just made a hat for a happy 4 year old to match a shirt... She love's it and I made it in a few hours. Your tips are very helpful. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! Eva
Lulamon
Thank you! Your tutorial is so simple that I could make a cute jeans hat for my 3 months old son (I printed the PDF a little smaller scale to 94% because my baby 's head measures its only 41cm diameter). Greetings from Chile!
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Lulamon,
I'm so happy to hear that! Your son is lucky to have a crafty mom (and a brand new and unique jeans hat 😉
Have a great day,
White+Warren
Amazing tutorial! I will share this blog to my friends and encourage them to make bucket hat for their kid. A color pink bucket hat for baby girl would be nice. 🙂
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
White+Warren,
thank you so much for your comment! So there will be a bunch of your friends' kids running around in little colorful hats, how cute! And yes, a combination of pink hues would be great! Must try it out myself too, for my little baby girl - but first I need to stack on girly fabrics. (With a boy in our home, I've only been buying blue and green for the last three years, LOL). Have a great day,
White + Warren
Thanks! It's true colorful hats are very cute. I'm glad that you appreciate my comment. Looking forward to read amazing blogs from you 🙂
Anonymous
Hi, how long did it take to sew the hat?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Hi, glad you asked - just sewing - it won't take you more than an hour. When I was taking photos of the process, it took me way more, though. (but you don't need to do that 🙂 Enjoy! Damjana
Glenda Beckham
Love your pattern & tutorial!!! It is exactly what I'm looking for. I just have one problem. It is too small for my grandson who thinks he is the great big game hunter & wants a hat like this that they wear on the T.V. shows. Do you have a larger one or could tell me how to enlarge this one? Thank you for this great tutorial & for any help you can give me. God bless.
P.S. Could you please email me any help you can provide? Thank you.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Glenda,
hi! Thanks for commenting, I'm sending you an email right away. Damjana