Kelly

My 12 month old loves to throw her hats out of the pram while I’m not looking, so I decided I’d better start making them instead of having to buy them! This is what I came up with using polar fleece, and its very quick and easy to make on the overlocker (serger).

Step 1
Cut out 2 of the top part of the hat (the top pieces). For my 12 month old the measurements are 8.5 inches across at the bottom and 6.5 inches from top to bottom, then draw in the curve in a nice round shape.
Also cut out a band that is 17 inches long and 9 inches wide.
You could adjust these measurements for an older child.
*IMPORTANT! Cut your pieces on the bias (diagnol) or your hat will have no stretch.

Step 2
Lay your rounded hat pieces on top of one another with the right sides facing and overlock the round part, leaving the straight part open. Turn it the right way out when done.

Step 3
Fold your band in half lengthways with right sides together and over lock the raw edges together (where the pins are in the picture) Then fold the band in half widthways so that the right side is facing out on both sides.

Step 4
Now tuck the band inside the round hat piece so that all the raw edges are aligned together and pin to hold. Overlock right around the edge ensuring all layers are sewn together (the overlocker makes an easy job of this).

When you untuck the band, your hat should look like this.

Now simply fold the band up to cover the overlocked part and you have a lovely new hat. Easy peasy!

This lovely bright cushion was my son’s (8 years old) first sewing project recently. We had the idea of posting a tutorial for other kids who might want an easy project. Adult help and supervision is needed unless you are an experienced sewer. The cushion cover fits a cushion 37cmx 35cm.

You will need 2 contrasting fabrics of your choice.
Start by marking and cutting out 2 20 x 20 cm squares from one fabric. Then do the same from the contrasting fabric. This gives you 4 squares of the same size.
For the back of the cushion cut out 1 piece that is 54cm x 39cm.

Now you need to join 2 contrasting squares together. Lay them on top of each other with right sides together, pin along the edge and sew a straight seam. Do the same for the other 2 squares. Then iron the seams out flat. (Get help with the iron if you need it)

This is what 2 pieces joined together will look like with the seam in the middle ironed out flat.

Lay your joined squares on top of one another and pin together near the edge. Sew a straight seam to join them all up, then iron the whole thing and the seams out flat. This is the front of your cushion. It looks good if you sew a button in the middle. We covered our own button using a little button kit from Spotlight that is really easy to use.
Now you need to make up the back of your cushion. Using the back piece you’ve cut out, fold it in half widthways. Make hems along 2 sides of these pieces, these will overlap each other at the back of your cushion.
Lay the back pieces on top of your front piece with the right sides facing. Pin around all the edges. Stitch together with straight seams right around the edges of the square. Trim off the pointy corners.
Turn your cover the right way out, pushing out the corners so they are nice and pointy. Iron again if you like, then pop your cusion insert in.

Now you can admire your work and start planning your next project!

This is what the back should look like.