big green fun

The Big Green Hat! I decided to take a small break from some of my other commitments to work on some me stuff this weekend and finished off the Big Green Fun!


The top of the hat partially covered. I used temporary basting spray to position and smooth out the velvet onto the buckram (didn't bother with mull since it was velvet), then stitched in place with silk thread. The brim edge I decided to be meticulous on and used a small buttonhole stitch to make it super sturdy and to finish the edge a bit.


My next step was to finish covering the top. For the crown side I again used temporary basting spray to position and smooth out the velvet. I only used the spray in the center of the piece though, not going up to the edges so I could more easy turn them under and stitch.


I then turned my attention to the under brim. I ripped two 6.5" strips of silk taffeta off the bolt. I lined up the ends and cut a little wedge then stitched it up to make a tube. After I ran multiple gathering stitches I began to line it up and gather the outside brim edge. Once I was happy with it, I stitched it down with a large whip stitch.


The inside brim edge was more of a challenge (hence no pics) as I didn't sew the gathering stitch were the edge actually was. Um opps! I beat it into submission eventually though and stitched it down as best I could, hiding the stitches underneath the crown side as much as possible. I then pinned my velvet bias binding (a scant 1.25" wide) to the outside brim and stitched it on by machine.


The bias binding was then turned under and hand-stitched down on the other side. The last step was to add a little drawstring lining to the inside crown so I can adjust the fit to whatever I'm doing with my hair. Voila - a finished hat!


To say I'm happy with the results would be quite the understatement - I love this hat!


My original idea for the decoration was lots of feathers and ribbons but I'm liking this very simple striped ribbon and buckle combination. I'm going to let it sit of a couple of weeks and then decide what I want to do decoration-wise. Hats are best when you let them stew you know.