Sewn Hats Blog Tour + Book Giveaway

I’m extremely excited to be sharing the book Sewn Hats. Besides having a project included (woohoo!), it’s just an AMAZING collection of hat designs. Credit goes to Carla Hegeman Crim for pulling together a wide range of collaborators into a cohesive volume of well-illustrated, comprehensive, and fashion-now hats to make.

The impressive list of contributors includes Alexia Abegg, Mary Abreu, Bari J., Melissa Averinos, Jacinda Boneau, Lisa Carroccio, Jess Christian, Kim Christopherson, Jaime Morrison Curtis, Joanna Figueroa, Shelly Figueroa, Jennifer Hagedorn, Linda & Scott Hansen, Karen LePage, (me), Kaari Meng, Heather Niziolek, Dolin O’Shea, Jennifer Paganelli, Pillow & Maxfield, Irene Rodegerdts, Anneliese of Aesthetic Nest, Vonnie Shaffer, Melissa Stramel, Betz White,  Patty Young and Carla Hegeman Crim.

When’s the last time anyone talked about the Table of Contents being the most amazing thing EVER? Well, this one is. A picture of every hat in the book with page numbers in the corner.

Somewhat related side story: my grandmother gave me the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook just over 25 years ago. It’s my go-to basics, how-to-cook-anything cookbook. My favorite part is the front section where there’s a picture of EVERY dish with page numbers. When I flipped open Sewn Hats and saw the Table of Contents I immediately thought of my beloved cookbook! So practical. So visual. So Perfect!!!

When asked to contribute a design to Sewn Hats I immediately knew I’d do a visor.

My house overflows with curly girls and let’s just say hats and curls are not a match made in heaven. I discovered early in my life that visors were the way to go. You can wear them under hair just as easily as over. There is no top. Curls know no bounds! They need LOTS of room to do their thing.

Now I need to talk a little bit about Carla Hegeman Crim. She publishes a popular and extensive collection of downloadable patterns under her label Scientific Seamstress. She also collaborates with Jennifer Paganelli on the Sis Boom clothing patterns for children and adults. If you’ve ever made one of Carla’s patterns then you already know what I’m about to say.

This woman is a certifiable sewing wonk, technically advanced, pattern-writing-machine genius! Carla leaves no sewing stone unturned. The thoroughness of her illustrations and construction steps will leave you breathless. Exaggeration? Maybe, but I’m a bit weird that way too and when I come across someone that can create a sewing pattern that breaks it down both visually and in words with such easily understood accuracy I’m in awe.

The 35 designs are presented in multiple sizes- generally XXS (toddler) to XL (adult). The Liesl Cloche by Mary Abreu of Confessions of a Craft Addict is one of my favorites. Lots of room for curls to spill out!

Included are hat designs for warm weather, cold weather, vintage, fashion, and costumes. Whether made with quilting cottons, canvas, wool or fleece, there’s something for every occasion. I love this Fleece Beanie by Jennifer Hagedorn of Tie Dye Diva Designs.

There are hats for girls, boys, men and women. I LOVE that many of the designs will work equally for both genders. The Downtown Hat by Lisa Carroccio of Domestic Diva’s Disasters is a great example.

Yes, want this. For me. Thank you Carla for providing sizes baby to adult.

Sewn Hats is an amazing volume of patterns for constructing casual, every day hats using materials we all have readily available. The who’s-who line up of contributors creates a diverse offering of stylish designs. Combined with Carla Hegeman Crim’s talent for pattern instruction, detail and illustration, it’s a must-have book for making handmade hats.

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Leave a comment telling me who you’d like to make a hat for. Wiley Publishing is giving away a copy of the book to one lucky winner. Winner will be selected on Friday, September 14.

Winner announced – congratulations to Sandy A in St. Louis

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Visit these other stops along the blog tour for more chances to win:

9/4 –  Scientific Seamstress

9/5 –  ModKid Boutique

9/6 – French General

9/10 – Pink Chalk Studio (yay, you’re here!)

9/11 -  Lulu Bliss

9/13 – Green Bee Patterns

9/14 – Goosie Girl Boutique

9/17 – Melissa Lilac Lane

9/19 – One Girl Circus

9/20 – Tie Dyed Diva Designs

9/21 – Figgys Patterns

9/25 – Craftiness is not Optional

9/26 – Bari J.

9/27 – Confessions of a Craft Addict

9/28 – SisBoom

10/1 – Sew Mama Sew

10/2 – Aesthetic Nest

10/3 – Blue Nickel Studios

10/4 – Betz White

10/8 – Yummy Goods

10/10-  Wiley Craft