Making this flapper style hat for your BJD is as easy as 1-2-3! There are only three pieces to sew together, either by hand or with a sewing machine. This tutorial shows how to create the body of the hat. Decorating the hat is left to your imagination!
This tutorial shows the project being hand-sewn. I find hand-sewing much more relaxing. It’s not about how fast I can make a hat, but how much I enjoy the process. And really, sewing the body of the hat takes no more than 15 minutes! I like to use embroidery floss to do the sewing because it’s nice and sturdy. If you prefer using a sewing machine with regular thread, that is fine too.
Materials
- One 9″ x 12” piece of felt
- Embroidery floss (use 3 strands) or sewing thread in a matching color
- Sewing needle
- Trims, beads, ribbons, feathers, etc…
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper
- Compass or ruler
Create the pattern
Measure the circumference of the ball-jointed doll’s head. (e.g., 8 inches)
Divide the circumference by 6.28. (e.g., 8 / 6.28 = 1.3) The result of the division equals the radius “r” of the circle that will form the top of the hat.
Using a compass, draw a circle with a radius “r”. (e.g., 1.3 inches)
(Note: If you don’t have a compass, you can draw lines the length of “r” radiating out from a center point, and then draw a circle by hand from point to point.)
Draw another circle around the first circle. To make a narrow brim, draw the second circle close to the first one. To make it wider, draw the circle farther out.
Measure your BJD’s forehead, from the eyebrows to just above the top of the forehead. This is going to be the depth of the doll’s hat.
Draw a rectangular piece whose length is the circumference of the head (e.g., 8 inches), and whose width is the depth of the forehead.
Cut the pattern pieces out. First, cut along the outer circle. Then cut out the inner circle. Then cut the band. You will end up with a doughnut and a band.
Cut the Felt Pieces
Pin the pattern pieces to the felt.
Cut the pieces out.
Fold the circular piece over in half. Make a little cut along the inner circle. Then open the piece again, and cut the central circle out.
You will have a doughnut, a circle, and a band.
Sew the Hat
Fold the band over, and sew the ends together using a whip stitch.
With the band still inside out (seam is still sticking out), sew the circle to the top of the band.
The top of the hat is complete.
Turn the hat upside down, with the top of the hat resting on the table.
Place brim on the hat.
Sew the brim on.
Trim any thread ends.
Turn the hat right side out.
Fold the front of the hat brim up, and sew it to the body of the hat.
This is the completed body of the hat. Now, have fun adding trims, beads, ribbons, and feathers…!
| You will find Jessica on:
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/roweena23 She is Roweena23 on Den of Angels |
Yeah! I was hoping there would be a hat tutorial as a follow up to the hat article.
Thanks Susan for your comment! Enjoy!
this is so cute and easy!
I will use this some time!
Thanks a lot!
Thanks Blablette! Jessica's tutorial is wonderful.
I LOVE Jessicas /Roweena hats ..I think I have 5 from her
))
Thank you so very much Susan, blablette, Elaine and Caroline! Have fun creating!
I love not only the hat, the dress is beautiful too !!!!!!
Thank you…both dresses were made by the wonderful Val Zeitler!:)
Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial. I am very ignorant when it comes to sewing but tried this easy tutorial and made a hat for one of my dolls. I can't believe that I finally was able to make something for my dolls. Thank you again and please share more easy to do tutorials.
Inti
Dear Inti – reading your comment makes Caroline and me very happy. We will continue trying to create tutorials that are beautiful and easy. We'd love to see your pictures. If you use flickr, you can add it to the "BJDmagazine Tutorials" group. To do this, view the picture, click Actions > Add to / remove from group, and then enter "BJDmagazine Tutorials".
very nice hat
and thanks for this tutorial
Have fun making hats!