Bucket list ... no ... bucket HAT!

I pinned this project a while ago - I have the book and the pattern is available online as a freebie.  I decided to do a trial run this morning - I've never made a hat before, so I was sweating buckets nervous :D  My worst problem was that I needed a lot of pins for the curved areas, and I kept pricking my fingers, lol.  It took 2 hours and 15 minutes from the time I got the pieces cut out, to the time I finished.  Add another 15 minutes for cutting, so say 2.5 hours start to finish.  Probably the next time around it'll be quicker ;)

I don't have littlies around to model, but my 23 year old happily stood in for a 3-5 year old (which is the size I made, lol) :)

The hat is lined, with no raw edges anywhere, which required much pinning and pricking.  But it worked out perfectly - I didn't even get any little tucks anywhere.  I think the next time around I'll have more fun with it! 

Added to the Oliver + S flickr group here :)



My construction notes:  notch out the notches - don't just snip.  The middle section of the hat should go on the outside when assembling it with the top, and with the brim --- it needs to be clipped almost to the 1/2" seam allowance to make it stretch enough, so it's easier to have it on the outside.  (Next time I might baste just inside the 1/2" mark so I know how deeply to clip)  After the brim is stitched to the assembled hat piece, don't trim the seam to 1/4" like the instructions note - it's easier to have the bigger seam.  That's it - her instructions are quite good!