The Evolution of a Hat

 
It's been a cold blustery winter in Indiana this year.... hmmmm..... that reminds me of Pooh bear and the Blustery Day.  And can I just say again that I LOVE Pooh bear!? 

(Believe it or not, I scanned this from a book I have had since my childhood!)

But I wasn't going to talk about Pooh bear today.  I brought up the cold blustery winter because it is again, one of those days here.  The wind is blowing the dusting of snow around, whipping down the chimney of the fireplace causing the doors to open and close, and bringing our friend "Wendy the Cow" for a visit. 

Hmm... I think that may need a little explanation, so allow me to go off on a little side road for a minute.

You see, in the 14 years that we've lived in this house, every time the wind really blows, the seal around one of the doors makes this funny noise that almost sounds like a cow mooing.  When it first happened, the kids (who were very young at that time) came running up to me, all scared, because they thought some monster was in the house.  I appeased them by telling them that it was just Wendy the Cow that was coming for a visit. 

And she continues to come every time we have a blustery day.

So, as I sit here, listening for Wendy, with the "chicken dog" curled at my feet (yes, our dog Yukon is afraid of Wendy too), and Otis holding the fireplace doors closed (now there's another story I need to share), I want to tell you about my latest obsession with hats.

I think this started when I was searching for a hat to wear for the drama I was in this December.  Or maybe it really started with the hat I made for the Pumpkins and Spice book.  No matter when it began, I have been trying to find a hat for myself this winter.  One that looks okay on me with my small head and short hair, without making me look like a little boy.

So, I started messing around with some felted wool, using a picture of a hat I found online as a guide.  And what follows is a recounting of my trials (and errors) in finally coming up with a hat (or two) that I like.  I do have to tell you that I had to dig two of these out of the trash to take the pictures..... and understand that I usually don't use my favorite fabrics when trying to design something like this, so they may not be the best looking!

The first thing was trying to get the top shaped right.  My first attempt ended up being wrong and a bit "bulbous".

It didn't look too bad just sitting on the table, but when I put it on my head, the center collapsed down and the sides bulged and poofed out way too much.  So, threw that one in the corner, and moved on to attempt number 2.

This one I actually completed.  And it's okay.  But it is more "manly" than I wanted.  Could be because of the color (what?! I wasn't going to use my hand-dyed wools, so I just used one that I bought off the bolt!), but the more I looked at it, I decided that it needed a band going around it so that it didn't look so much like a baseball cap.  So, on to attempt number 3.

I was back to the mis-shaped top, which was also too short, and the band was too small, making the whole hat look more like a beret before putting it on my head.  AFTER putting it on my head, though, it looked more like a puffy pill-box sort of thing, and quite hilarious!  This one ended up in the trash! 

Hmmm.... maybe this just wasn't meant to be. 

But, I don't give up THAT easily.  So I tried another.

Now, this one I liked!  Kind of fun (see, I even finished it off with a wool flower!?) yet there was still something about it that bothered me.  It fits very close to my head, more like a baseball cap, so I wanted to try making it with a softer, more feminine feel on the top.  This is where I found it simply amazing that just by changing the angle or curve of the top pieces a tiny bit caused such a dramatic difference....

See how it has a different feel to the top portion?  I thought that this one looked better on me, but both my husband and son still liked the gray one better.  So, off I went again, for another try....

I changed the angle a bit more on the top, shortened the brim, and I think I almost got it!  So far, this was my favorite, but of course, I had to try just one more a few days later, because you know I can't just leave things well enough alone.  Didn't you read my last post?! 

There were a few things I still didn't like about this hat, and I'm not telling you what they are in case I decide later that I like it better than this latest one...... 

But, I'd love to hear what you think! 

Which is your favorite?  And why?

You may not ever think about it, there are so many things to consider with hats..... Is it too stiff?  Or should it be soft and floppy?  Does it come down far enough so that my ears don't stick out?  Or do I want it to perch on the top of my head?  And how tight should it be?  Tight enough so that it stays on for a blustery day?! 

And I think the biggest question for me is....

What do I do with all these hats now?!?!

 

Comments

[Debbie St.Germain]

I used to wear guy type hats, but I guess when you are young, you can get away with that;) I like the cream and reddish plaids the best. The cream gives you a softer and fun look and the red, very serious looking.

Debbie

[Leslie Schmidt]

It's hard to tell when they aren't all on your head. I can see that the gray one is more snug and close to you. I do like the last one and the tan one. They both have a fun look to them. For me, when I take off a hat, my hair stands straight up from static electricity! That's one of the problems of dry winter air.
But you look cute in the hats, so maybe it's worth it!

[Cindy Carlson]

I LOVE the light colored one - I'd be glad to take it off your hands (oops - I mean "head") for you..LOL

I LOVE hats, all hats. I love hats.

[Heckety]

You keep them all, of course? Your next 'Drama' will be 'Oliver!' and you'll need the lot!

If you are worried about having old Winnie the Pooh books, may I just say that my (74ish) father still has his, AND DOESN'T LEND THEM!

I like the way Le Chapeau developed; liked the colour of the next felt after the grey hat but I think the next grey with the flower looks like my husband's jockey hat! Love the plummy brown tweed hat, prob my favourite!

When the girls were little and we lived in East Africa I had a fearful time making bonnets and hats for then which a) they liked and b) would stay on their heads, but those were cotton sunhats, rather different to yours.

Anyhow I think you've done a great job!

[Melissa]

I LOVE all of the last four hats. You should keep them ALL, and wear a different hat each day as the mood strikes you. Each has just a little something different that may compliment your outfit! =)
The wool flowers are adorable on the hats! A very sweet touch.
You are officially a hat genius!

[Robyn]

I really like all of them. I think you've done a wonderful job. The last is my favorite but I'm so impressed by them all.

[TheaM]

They are all beautiful - but if you want to divest yourself of any of them, toss them my way! I love hats!

[Linda P.]

Kind of hard to tell without feeling them, send them my way, and I'll report back. I really like the red one, but then maybe its cuz I love red!! I think they all look great on you!

[Terri]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback!! I really like all four that I finished, each for a different reason. Next, I'm going to try making one out of cotton..... maybe as a summer hat?! Or for those lucky ones that don't have to deal with the cold winters!! Who knows, I may put this in my next book....

[Betty]

They are really cute. I like the one with the cream band- add that little flower to it too. Your pretty smile really makes any of them pretty.

[Stina]

Oh my goodness.. they are wonderful... perfect for winter weather.. I do know what you mean with a small head... :o) I love that you put a brim to the hat.. because where I live you dont see a thing when the snow is whirling around..and not to mention the glasses...sigh..:o)
I really love the ligth one for the colour ..but I think I like the last hat the most.. and I love the little flower on the side..
You really have to share this in a book or a pattern..:o)

[Janny]

Just wear your beautifull hats.
I love them all.
Greetings from a rainy Holland.

[Kathy]

Terri,
I think I'm going to need lots of hats--just found out I'm allergic to permanent hair dye!! I like them all, of course.

[sewlindaann]

The work you put into the pattern was well worth it! In summer cotton I can imagine wonderful flowers attached for whimsy. Love for you to publish the pattern!!!

[Tina]

I love this hat. I want to make one. Please publish this pattern!!

[isabelle]

hi I speak a bad english so sorry
I've got a problem with the "quilts talk" on you book page 29
when I make a sashing block to make the flying
geese unit
I cut 6 squares 5.1/4x5.1/4 and cut twice diagonally to yield 24 quarters traingles
with using neutral 2-7/8x2-7/8 cut in diagonaly.square up to 2-1/2x2-1/2
but its impossible
do you explain me please for a new explication
thank
isabelle