Oxford Caps for the Kids

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My kids wear hats all the time. In the winter, they're knit and heavy. In the summer they're light and shield their faces from the sun. I've made hats for all seasons and had been thinking about making new summer hats for a while for my kids (well, since the summer started!). But I wasn't excited about making another bucket hat because I wasn't sure I could find a pattern that would fit. The thing is, my kids have big heads. (I maxed out the size on the last bucket hats.) So when I saw this pattern for a free adult size Oxford-style hat, I jumped on it.

I don't remember what they were talking about here, but they were having fun in the photo shoot, wearing their hats. My son picked out the giraffe-print flannel lining and I added a crocheted flower (from etsy) on my daughter's hat. The outer fabric is a medium-weight ticking from Joann's. (Oh, and my daughter has a light-weight khaki on the inside of her hat.)

The pattern was great. But paying attention to the seam allowance is key. The first hat I made ended up being too small for my kids and I gave it to a friend. This handsome kid here:

The second hat, I think I did the seam allowance perfectly according to the pattern. And that became my daughter's hat.

The third hat I enlarged the pattern pieces a little bit and the end result went to my son (his hat is, actually, a little big on him. But it's better than being a little small, right?).

Check out the cool picture on the left. It looks like my son can do magic with a piece of chalk! I love it. And here's just another cute shot of my daughter mailing a letter. Had to take a picture of her sporting her hat on the town.
I have to say, I really dig these hats. I think they're super cool. And they were pretty fast to make. I definitely see more of these in the future. (Maybe one for me...)

Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Linking up here.

Newborn Baby Hats

The couple that lives down the hall just had their first baby, and though I don't know them very well, they've always been so kind and smiley to us and the kids. So when I saw their little one-week old cutie yesterday, I was immediately inspired to make some newborn hats for him. I *really* wish I had some of the cute fabrics that Zaaberry had with her awesome tutorial.

(Unfortunately, most of my current knit fabrics are pink and girly. Not much for a little baby boy.)

However, I went with what I had and came up with a few variations. My favorite is the one on top, mainly because I think that one has the best chance of fitting. (It has the best stretch.)

The red one will fit too, but it was made from an old t-shirt and the jersey fabric was a little tricky to keep from curling. I like the bear hat, but the right ear looks a little wonky. Trying to work my serger on a curve was a bit tricky (still getting used to the machine and it's fussiness) and that hat with its thick fleece just came out...a bit odd. And perhaps not stretchy enough.

So I figure out of four attempts the baby should be able to wear at least one, right? My husband said, It's the thought that counts.

The kids are making the baby some pictures and we're going to bring over our homemade gifts later today. Can't wait to see that cute little baby again!

A Second Bucket Hat ~ She had to have one too!

 Because it was raining the day I gave this hat to my daughter, I ended up taking pictures of it inside. Once again, this is a bucket hat from Little Things to Sew: Oliver + S. I made one for my son not too long ago. 

 My daughter has a favorite side. This one isn't it.

It's this side. The one with the dogs. It's kind of a goofy fabric, but she's crazy about dogs and I knew it'd make her happy. The other side was for me to look at and like. :) 

My kids wear their "explorer hats" with their explorer vests (also from Oliver + S) and are so happy about them. Seeing them get excited about wearing some things I made makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. Tearing out all those stitches and re-doing that dang curved seam (on both hats) was worth it in the end. Definitely worth it.

Linking up here:

Reversible Bucket Hat (Oliver + S pattern)

It may be the very end of summer, but I finally got a bucket hat done. And it's reversible too, which is soooo cool.

The pattern in from Oliver + S Little Things to Sew (just like the Explorer Vests I recently finished). This was my first time doing a bucket hat and, unfortunately, it wasn't as easy as it looked. It's not perfect, but hey, my son doesn't care. In fact, he loves it! His preference is the "animal side." Maybe I'll do better with my second hat. My son has already informed me that, yes, his little sister needs one too. (He's such a good big brother.)

Here's the hat on my 4-year-old son. It's a tad snug. And I used the largest size on the pattern.

 The hat seems to fit better on my daughter. She's 22 months and though it's a little big, I think it looks more comfortable on her. Too bad my son doesn't want to give it up!

Oh, darn! You caught me red-handed picking the grass again!

Linking up here today:

Our Creative Spaces 

Works-in-Progress ~ A Wee Vest & Hat

Well, maybe it's not so wee. 

But it's for a wee person.

I finished my first Explorer Vest last week. And then my son said his sister "needs one too!" So I decided I'd make hers the same size because, heck, she'll grow into it. And after trying his on for size (it's a 4-6 year old size), I didn't think it looked like she'd be swimming in it for long (even though she's not even 2 yet).

Sooooo...I was able to do my cutting this week and even sew up a few pockets. I have a ways to go, but I think, having had practice, this vest will go much quicker than the last one (provided I find the time. Today's sewing time? Zero minutes as of 9pm. Ugh.).

 I also cut out my pieces to a bucket hat for my son. It's another pattern by Oliver + S and, like the Explorer Vest, can be found in Little Things to Sew.

The pictures are dark today due to the lovely stormy weather we've been getting up here on the East Coast. Ah, rain. It's starting to feel more like Fall these days...maybe that's why I have orange fabric on the brain?

In other news, I was just featured today on Funky Polka Dot Giraffe for my Pigeon Shirt. Cool!

Happy to be linking up here today: