How to Make a Bucket Hat {Creativity Weekend}

by Shai Coggins on November 16, 2008 · 44 comments

Okay, I admit it: I didn’t have the time to do any new creative projects this weekend. So, instead, I’m sharing with you something I did a few weekends ago. Yes, I made bucket hats! Well, actually, as the kids are always needing hats for school/childcare/outings, I got inspired to make one of each for the boy and the girl.

You see, I found a free pattern online with instructions on how to sew bucket hats. But, for some reason, the URL is not available anymore. However, I do have a copy that I’m happy to send to folks who might want to give it a go. Just leave a comment in this post (using your valid email address) and I’ll email the PDF file of the bucket hat pattern to you.* (see note below)

The bucket hat pattern has only one size. But, I ended up photocopying the patterns and reducing the sizes accordingly. I just used my home all-in-one scanner/printer/copier.

As I mentioned, I made two of these hats. And, I used these really cute double-sided Japanese craft fabric for the project. One’s in purple with bunnies and flowers in them (pictured here). And, another’s one navy blue with owls in them (for the boy). I got the fabric from a local shop called Lincraft.

It was the first sewing project that I tried using a pattern. Cutting the fabric and following the instructions were no problem. It was making nice, smooth lines when sewing the fabric together that was a real challenge to me. As you can probably see here, the hat’s a bit crooked.

But, the kids love them anyway. I think they really enjoy knowing that I made the hats especially for them.

Anyway, here’s my girl modelling her custom-made bucket hat:

Maybe next time I sew new bucket hats, I can make them straighter.

————-
*Note: I’m temporarily suspending my offer to email the free bucket hat pattern that I have, as I didn’t realise how popular it’s going to be. It’s taking too much of my time trying to email everyone the pattern. So, until I find a better solution on how to automate the process of sharing the pattern, I’m afraid that I cannot offer to email this for now. Please stay tuned for further announcements on this matter, if you’re interested in getting a hold of the pattern. Thanks for your understanding.

* LATEST UPDATE (11/1/10): You can now find a link to free bucket hat pattern at the KIDoosh site.

Diggdel.icio.usFacebookRedditStumbleUpon

You Might Also Like To Read...

Tagged as: bucket hats, creativity, creativity weekend, free patterns, hats, sewing, sewing patterns

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Melissa W 11.16.08 at 8:03 pm: Sewing curved lines is a skill that takes practice. I made a whole bunch of hats for Daisy when she was little and they got better as I went along.

[Reply]
Shai Coggins reply on November 23rd, 2008:

@Melissa W – Haven’t been sewing a lot lately. But yeah, I imagine it does take a while to get used to. Will definitely keep practicing when I get the chance.

[Reply]
2 Sasha 11.16.08 at 8:36 pm: Looks great! H looks adorable! *hugs*

[Reply]
Shai Coggins reply on November 23rd, 2008:

Sasha: Hehe. You should see her in person.

[Reply]
3 Kari 11.17.08 at 3:30 am: Those are so cute! I have been eyeing sewing machines a lot over the past year because I would love to be able to make my own clothes. Still though it’s just a dream rather than a reality. Maybe next year I will get one so I can make clothes and hats like those

[Reply]
Shai Coggins reply on November 23rd, 2008:

@Kari – When I was longing to learn how to sew, folks told me just to jump in and give it a go. So I did. And I’m so glad. I hope you get to jump in soon too!

[Reply]
4 Katnip 11.17.08 at 3:59 am: Oh wow, I love these hats!! Please send the directions my way whenever you get a chance

[Reply]
5 Nicola 11.17.08 at 4:00 am: Heya, the hat looks great! I’d love the pattern please, these will make great home-made xmas pressies for my BFF’s 19mth and 5 year olds. Thx!

[Reply]
6 Dexie 11.17.08 at 11:47 am: That’s so pretty. Love the pattern too. I want a sewing machine of my own too someday.

[Reply]
Shai Coggins reply on November 23rd, 2008:

@Dexie – I’m sure you’ll do great with one, as you’re very creative. And your li’l ones will definitely appreciate it. Hope you get the chance to own one soon too!

[Reply]
7 Jacinta 11.17.08 at 8:08 pm: What a great idea, I would love the pattern if you don’t mind sharing!

[Reply]
8 Mary 11.18.08 at 3:34 pm: Just what I want to make! Please share the pdf pattern file with me. Thanks.

[Reply]
9 Rebecca Mitchinson 11.18.08 at 3:59 pm: Awesome hat! Can you please send me the PDF : )

[Reply]
10 Barbara 11.20.08 at 12:44 pm: I will be ever so grateful if you will e-mail me the pattern for the bucket hat you mentioned. The one you made looks good…and your child makes an adorable model. Thanks in advance. Barb

[Reply]
11 Keri 11.23.08 at 12:48 am: I’d love a copy of the pattern, if you don’t mind! Thank you so much! I was so disappointed when that link said it exceeded the bandwidth as that was my favorite hat on the free pattern site. Thank you for offering it!!!

[Reply]
12 Nani 11.23.08 at 12:06 pm: I’ve been looking all over the place for something like this!It looks great & I’d love to sew one for my two boys.Would be very grateful if you would send me the pattern please.

Thanks heaps!
Nani.

[Reply]
13 Shai Coggins 11.23.08 at 10:27 pm: Thanks, everyone! Glad you like it. I sent the hat pattern to those who requested. If you haven’t received yours yet, please don’t hesitate to email me/poke me via the comment form.

[Reply]
14 Sue 11.29.08 at 11:08 am: Hi Shai,
Love the hat and have been looking for a pattern to make for my Grandchildren. Plenty of warm sunny weather hear in Western Australia so hats are a must for the little ones. Can’t believe the price of childrens hats. Would love you to email the bucket hat pattern so I can make some one off originals. Much appreciated and thanks.
Regards, Sue

[Reply]
15 Kim Green 12.01.08 at 1:52 pm: So cute! I would love the hat pattern. Thanks!

[Reply]
16 eric pai 12.01.08 at 4:07 pm: please send me the pattern and instructions for the fab bucket hat.can’t wait to try it out.
aloha,eric

[Reply]
17 Wilma Goddard 12.02.08 at 1:20 pm: I have been looking through the net for a hat just like the one you have displayed on your page. We are doing a skit this weekend for a function for “Save the Children” program and this is a community project.
I live in an isolated area and so not have access to op shops etc or for that matter other clothing stores.
If your offer of a copy of the bucket hat is still available it would be very much appreciated

[Reply]
18 Cheryl 12.03.08 at 12:25 am: I love the bucket hat. I have grandson’s and am always buying them new hats but the fabric at the stores are so much better. Please email me the pattern.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[Reply]
19 Shai Coggins 12.05.08 at 10:28 am: Hi, everyone. I emailed all the pattern requests already. Hope you enjoy making the hats. However, I’m afraid that I can no longer email more, as it’s taking too much of my time at the moment. Sorry about that. I didn’t expect to receive so many requests. Anyway, I’ll do my best to find a way to share the free pattern some other way. I’ll let you all know if/when that’s a possibility. Thanks.

[Reply]
20 Marq 12.11.08 at 12:30 am: For those who are wanting a similar bucket hat pattern there is one currently available from here:
http://freefilehosting.net/download/3mfa1

[Reply]
21 bev 12.12.08 at 7:06 am: so sweet I would love the pattern

[Reply]
22 thadine 01.07.09 at 12:55 pm: I would love that pattern. Why don’t you just upload it somewhere and link to it? I’m happy to host it on my site and let you link to it, if you like.

[Reply]
23 Sara 02.10.09 at 1:09 am: I’ve also been looking for this pattern for free online. Can you post a link to the website you found the pattern on?

[Reply]
24 Sara 02.10.09 at 1:18 am: Nevermind…I found this link to a free download for a bucket hat pattern but thanks anyway.

http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=/section/classroom/sewprojects/missesBucketHat/missesBucketHat.cfm

[Reply]
25 Sara 03.05.09 at 2:04 am: I just stumbled across your site when i googled for bucket hat pattern. I was curious if you have found a way to distribute this pattern yet.

Thanks!

[Reply]
26 Erin 03.19.09 at 10:36 am: Hi,
I was wondering if you could send the pattern for this bucket hat. It looks fantastic and is what i am after for my textile assignment at uni. Is it possible you could send this pattern to me? I did see that you arent emailing anymore but it would super fantastic if i can get this awesome resource off you.
Anyhoo thanks for up this up.
Kind Regards
Erin )
my email is erin.cleary@student.qut.edu.au

[Reply]
27 Denise Maglinte 04.06.09 at 11:43 pm: perhaps you can print the pattern to PDF and attach it to your website?? Pleae let me know if you decide to do this. ( or I can do this and email the pdf back to you if you send the pattern to me) I’d love to have a copy when and if you are sending them.

Thanks,

Denise

[Reply]
28 Shelly 04.09.09 at 6:57 am: Greetings!
I saw your adorable bucket hats and thought that’d be a really fun project for this weekend. I have a bit of left over pirate print material that my 7 year old wants something made out of badly! LOL…. he asks about it almost daily! Please share the pattern.
Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing this!
Shelly

[Reply]
29 trishia 04.16.09 at 8:16 am: just a hint- to share with lots o people, you can upload the file to a file sharing site like mediafire, then post the link here. In the meantime, I’ll search for another pattern, hope that helps you, though!

[Reply]
30 JenZ 04.29.09 at 2:40 pm: I hope you find a way to share the file more easily – it looks like a cute project

[Reply]
31 Rhonda Nuccio 05.18.09 at 1:24 am: I found this site several years ago and it is WONDERFUL! It is a free d/l and you can create all types of hats, purses, etc. by using your own measurements. I have used it several times and the results are great.

http://www.wildginger.com/

[Reply]
32 Jo-Anne 06.04.09 at 3:48 am: If you find time, I would like a copy of this pattern for my grandson.
thanks, Jo-Anne

[Reply]
33 Patti 06.12.09 at 7:21 am: Hi , I would love a copy of the pattern when you start sending them out again.

[Reply]
34 Colleen 07.02.09 at 10:04 am: This is exactly the pattern I have been looking for, and can’t find it. Just wondering if you are still off of sending the pdf of the pattern out, or if you would still be able to send me the pattern? Thanks so much. You did a great job!

[Reply]
35 Colleen 07.02.09 at 10:06 am: You did a great job. I have been looking for this pattern forever, and would love to have a copy of the pattern also, when you start sending them out again. Thanks so much

[Reply]
36 Gabriela 07.30.09 at 3:47 am: Hi! If you start sending out this pattern again, could you please send it to me? I want to make this hat for my baby girl, but I can’t find this pattern anywhere! Thanks a lot!
Gabriela

[Reply]
37 Joy 08.13.09 at 1:19 am: Hi Shai, Your hat is so cute. I would like the pattern also. I hope you have found an easier way to share it. It was very kind of you to offer in the first place. Blessings

[Reply]
38 Victor 10.17.09 at 3:53 am: Hello,please email me pattern and instruction for bucket hat.thanks from Victor.

[Reply]
39 Sam Bralley 10.17.09 at 11:38 pm: please send the pattern for the bucket hat.

thanjs,
sam

[Reply]
40 Shai Coggins 01.11.10 at 10:55 pm: Hi, all. Thanks again for all your interest – and your patience – regarding this free bucket hat pattern. You can now find a link to the downloadable file at – http://make.kidoosh.com/2010/01/11/free-bucket-hat-pattern/

Enjoy!

[Reply]