Thursday, May 24, 2007

Sunhat

If it rains solidly for the next 40 days, you can blame me, because I made a sunhat (from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing).

Oh yeah, I'm conquering the pattern and garment phobia thing slowly but surely. Each time I make something I learn things. This was the first try at my chum Rachel's hint.

I asked how to preserve paper patterns so they could be used again and again and she told me that she traces hers onto clear plastic. So I bought some vinyl yesterday and it works an absolute treat.



The fabrics are an Alexander Henry 'candy flower' with a red cotton canvas lining (from Ikea). I like Ikea fabrics. They are usually 100% cotton (or linen), come in great designs and colours and are as cheap as chips so I don't mind if I make a mistake. But apart from cutting out twice as many crown pieces as I needed, I managed this one without serious errors.



Do you appreciate how brave it is of me to show this to you, because I am still ill (thanks for the kind, get well wishes), look rough as hell and have a spots from a little cheese binge I went on. Note to self - get to grips with photoshop so you can touch up dodgy self-portraits. Oh, and stop eating cheese - I get a zit for every mouthful, no exaggeration.

38 comments:

dottycookie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dottycookie said...

Oh that looks great! I have been meaning to make sunhats both for myself and my little mice (they seem to lose at least one a week). I really should get on with it while the sun is still shining.

Hope you feel better soon. Summer colds are pure misery.

Angel Jem said...

That hat is so cool! I keep meaning to go to Ikea at the start of every fiscal month & keep getting way-laid (life gets in the way).... but the fabrics are calling me....

Anonymous said...

The Ikea fabrics look great, I'm going to have to check them out I think....still seriously tempted by the Lotta/Amy books, might have to wait 'til next month though....
The hat looks really great despite your phobia and good choice of fabric (again). I loved the lounge pant material as well. Glad you are feeling a bit better now...

Jane
x

julie said...

Awesome hat - you're sewing up a storm over there - next you'll be throwing away the Boden and White stuff catalogues! Hope you make a full recovery in time for the weekend - we've got snotty lurgies too - just in time for half term - oh deep joy!!

caroline said...

Ali the hat looks fantastic - so you are the one to blame for the rubbish weather we are supposed to have over the Bank Holiday weekend!

Anonymous said...

oh i love it!
and how brilliant about the plastic patterns- mine always die a pin stuck crumpled death!
:)

A home sewn, recycled,vintage life said...

Great hat! Hope you get over the stinky cold.
Got rid of my cold, now the sneezy, itchy nasal condition known as hayfever has moved into my sniuses, yuk!

Anonymous said...

That! That is so stinkin' cute!

Anonymous said...

Okay, seriously, this is getting stupid: stop making me want to buy books, patterns and fabric! Still... haaaat. Cuuuute haaat. And I could make it smaller to fit my child-sized head (hats never fit). And, umm, I would be supporting the economy. Right?!

laura capello said...

aaaaiiiieee!!! love! love! love!

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's soooooo coool Ali!

Soo said...

What a beautiful hat....I'd like to see what you come up with when you aren't feeling ill!

grumpy said...

If you used a waterproof fabric, the design could also be used for rather exotic plant pots!

Anonymous said...

You look gorgeous in that hat! Get well :(

Di said...

The hat looks geat! Fab idea also about the plastic for the patterns.

Anonymous said...

I love the hat - fantastic. I must get hold of that pattern as I was thinking I would like to make similar things for the boys - as well as myself!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh I like that hat!

Anonymous said...

oh, that hat is so cute! love love the fabrics :)

weirdbunny said...

wow, your hat is so proffessional !!!
It suits you loads .... - love Julia x

Unknown said...

I love this hat! I want to make a hat soon too. Love those fabrics and thanks for the tip on the plastic patterns.

Kate said...

Wonderful hat - love the shape of it!

wardstorms said...

oops, that was me leaving a comment as "cookie". My mom was logged in on my computer and I forgot to log out.
--shannon

Ahava Jora said...

I've perused Simple Sewing a few times. While it is inspiring, I haven't been able to justify actually buying it (I am a college student after all), but I've seen that hat around a few times now and it certainly is adorable. Maybe I'll splurge a bit when the doctor gives me the go ahead on sewing again.

Me and Him said...

Nice!

Hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Lovely hat!

Anonymous said...

Very stylish and well made head gear, and fabulous choice of fabric.

Hope you feel tip-top soon. What a bummer; cheese is so yummy.

X

Unknown said...

Your hat looks great, I have made a couple of these too, I love that big brim, makes me feel quite mysterious and I can't see any spots at all.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous hat, and great choice of fabric. Hope you soon feel better, there seems to be some rotten germs doing the rounds at the moment.

Anonymous said...

Nice hat! Now you can use your patten over and over again there's no excuse for not making one to go with every skirt you make ;)

Victoria May Plum said...

Cute hat x
How do you manage these things? you must have the sewing gene that I am sadly lacking.
Never mind,
p.s we have the Charlie and Lola magazine too, and I do believe that I am enjoying it rather more than the toddler!
Victoria x

Anonymous said...

the hat looks fab - nice fabric combo. and what a great idea for pattern tracing, i've been using non-iron interfacing for patterns, but see through is cool - very clever.

Anonymous said...

it looks awesome, & i feel the same for ikea prints...very fresh & interesting.
hope you feel better.

nuttnbunny said...

You are a sewing GENIUS!

Anonymous said...

Love the hat and it's not too large is it - I'd read on some other blogs that it came up too big (NOT implying that you have a big head by the way!).

Hope you're getting through the nice but wet bank holiday.......

Anonymous said...

ok - I'm blaming you for the rain now. ;)

Anonymous said...

You are divine. I've been trying to find that fabric, but didn't known the name...and there you are on Flickr and you even put the name on your blog! Cute hat, and thanks I'll be back.

Unknown said...
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