Polka Dot Boy

This boy is looking remarkable happy considering he just got home from the doctor after being diagnosed with his first ear infection!

Must be the super cute boy version of Rae's Snowblossom Hat. She posted a great tutorial for this hat which she did for her little girl, embellished with some beautiful flowers.

Here's my boy version of her hat. Don't you love this picture....it looks like he's doing an ad campaign for his yogurt.



I sewed this hat in literally 15 minutes, which is a testament to Rae's great tutorial. I did make a few little changes....I can't help myself.

I didn't want to have a seam in front (and it's one less seam to sew) so instead of the width of each of the 4 fabric (2 for inside, 2 for outside) pieces being:

(Head Circumference + 1")/2

I had 1 piece of fabric (1 for each side that is, inside and outside) with a width of:

Head Circumference + 1/2"

This way I had one long piece of fabric that I sewed into a tube and put the seam in the back of the hat. The rest of the instructions I followed, but didn't cut the top into petals, just did a regular fringe.

I also used a cream colored interlock for my inside instead of fleece. The goal was to make it less bulky, which it is, but the downside is that the interlock slips away from the fleece, so it peeks out more than a fleece lining would. I could have done an edge-stitch all the way around, but I was worried it would stretch it and make it rippled looking.

I do love this fleece. Unfortunately, one of the few boy prints I could find. We need a Celebrate the Boy fabric shop. Any takers?

Anyway, another great tutorial from Made-by-Rae....and very easy too! Thanks Rae!

Winter Hats from Old Sweaters

I wish I had taken before pictures of the sweaters that these hats came from, but I was way too excited to cut them up and make these hats.

I've been experimenting with hats these days and was inspired by this post by Rae. I brought my experimental hat over to a friend's house on Friday to try on her kids' heads' just to get a sense for size. As many of my friends know, I have a really small head and usually HAVE to buy kids hats for myself, so it's really hard for me to judge size. Anyway, C loved the hat I made and sent me home with 2 of her husband's sweaters.


I used this pattern from Martha Stewart and used the sweater for the outside and a cotton knit for the inside. I decided not to the do straps and added a bird applique with felt on one hat and these beautiful sweater roses to the other.



Sorry, a little out of focus! These roses are so beautiful and so easy to make. I was inspired by this project and tutorial.

I even got my almost (1 week to go!) 4 year old to model.

I hope Matt doesn't miss his sweaters! What do you think?

Look for more of these in my shop soon!