Flower-Fringed 1940s Hat

The last few weeks have not been very productive, sewing wise. I was on vacation, then had crochet deadlines to meet, and anyway I wasn't really in the sewing mood. I did get a fun small project finished, though!

 

I've already made this hat from VaVoomVintage twice - a simple black version, and last year's Easter hat which I trimmed with a vintage veil and some paper flowers. These hats are so quick and easy to make, and very flattering. The simple base can be decorated a myriad ways. There are so many options, I'll have to make a lot more before I'm able to use all my trimming ideas!

 

This one was made in navy blue wool felt. I bent the top wire to give a little heart shape, just for fun. I think it adds to the 1940s silhouette. I could also wear it farther front on my head like a headband.

 

The trimming for this version was also in felt. I used small circles of the navy felt, and also a lighter shade of blue to make flowers to line the front edge.

 

These flowers were super easy. I started with a circle about 1 1/2 in. across, in the light blue felt, and one slightly smaller out of navy felt.

 

I snipped them around the edges to create fringed petals. I was not particular at all, so they are not even. You can't notice, so there's no need to stress out about getting each cut the same width and depth.

 

Stack them up and pinch them in half! I pinned them around the front edge to figure out how many I would need, then secured each flower with a few stitches in just the center, to allow the petals freedom to go a little wonky if they want.

 

I've seen similar hat trimmings on actual vintage hats from the era, so the overall appearance is very period correct. 

 

Just to show how versatile this hat pattern is, here's another one I made as a birthday gift for my sister. This one was trimmed across the front with a 1 1/2 in. strip of felt that was pleated evenly and sewn down with pearl beads.

 

This style of trimming is very 1950s, and you can see from the silhouette that it looks quite a different era from the blue one.

 

Very fun projects to add a quick accessory to a collection - both hats together took me 1 1/2 hours or less to complete. A refreshing change from elaborate or time-consuming sewing projects! I'll definitely continue to use this pattern. 

Comments

[Rebecca Young]

I am not "a hat person" but you look great in yours!