Baby Animal Hats Tutorial with Pattern

The baby animal hat patterns are here! You can download the pdfs for the owl, the fox or the raccoon. When you print the pdf, make sure you select "none" in the page scaling drop down menu.

The hats are about size 6 mo but they stretch. If you're looking for a different size you could trace an existing hat or enlarge the pattern. It's my first pattern, so please be patient and don't hesitate to ask any questions. I'm not going to make a full blown tutorial, but the instructions are below. First of all, here's what you'll need:

-Less than 1/4 yard of cotton interlock knit, in coordinating colors. I like the thickness of interlock for these. Mostly it just needs to be something that won't fray. If you use a lighter weight jersey, old t shirt etc, you may need to use interfacing or extra layers on the ears to keep them from flopping over.

-Ribbed knit in coordinating color. Less than 1/8 yard.

-Either have matching thread or a coordinating color if you want to get decorative with it, this project is pretty topstitch heavy.

-Freezer paper and fabric paint or extra coordinating fabrics if you choose to applique the features instead.

The basic steps are as follows

1- Wash, dry, press your fabric. Cut out pattern pieces and your freezer paper stencil.

2- Applique, paint, sew buttons or stencil the eyes (and beak for the owl) onto the face pieces. I used freezer paper stencils and I included my stencil design in the pattern. If you've never used freezer paper to stencil, I highly recommend it. Here's one of many great tutorials.

3- Let your paint dry fully, and then heat set it. Be sure to use an ironing cloth or scrap of fabric to protect your iron.

4- Topstitch the face pieces onto the front of the hat. Use a zig zag, serger or some other stitch that a) will stretch and b) looks decent as this will show.

5- Sew ribbing to the bottom edge of both sides of the hat. Here's my ribbing tutorial, if you've never used it. (For the owl hat, skip to step 8)

6- Take 2 ear pieces, right sides facing, and sew the top 2 sides of the triangle, leaving the bottoms open. Turn right side out and topstitch. Repeat with the other ear.

7- Pin ears to front side of hat, pointing down, right sides facing. Take your time and make sure you like the ear placement.

8- Pin both sides of the hat together, right sides facing, and sew. Trim any scraggly edges and turn right side out.Once again, I'm sorry for the delay on these. It's been a comedy of errors for sure. But I appreciate your patience and interest so very much. If you do make anything from these patterns, and especially if you blog about them, I'd love to be credited for the inception. And definitely leave me a link so I can check out your creations! Thanks!