Sewn Hats Blog Tour & Book Giveaway

[UPDATED: Comments are closed. Winner to be posted shortly, stay tuned!]

Sewn Hats is here! This long-awaited, gorgeous book is chock-full of hat patterns for everyone with a head. Besides being beautiful and packed with adorable patterns by well-known designers, and pulled together by the amazing Carla Crim of Scientific Seamstress, it gets even better ... yes it does ... the patterns are available in PDF format! No copying or tracing from the book, no enlarging or fiddling. You go to the provided links, print on your regular printer paper, and get sewing, following the pristine diagrams and crystal clear instructions. Thirty-five hat patterns for the price of one book. Really.

Now if you know anything about PDF patterns, you know Carla's Scientific Seamstress and Sis Boom patterns (collaborated with the swoon-inducing Jennifer Paganelli) are top-notch (and are available, among other places, in the Scientific Seamstress etsy shop). Sewn Hats reflects Carla's perfectionism and attention to detail on every page and is even sprinkled with clever her sense of humor. I was so excited when she called me and asked to include two of my patterns in her book. Both patterns we chose are for fleece hats, easy and fast to sew, frugal on fabric, and for everyone on your list from baby to Dad. They are both great patterns for beginners, both due to simple design and because fleece needs no seam finishing and its pile is forgiving of slightly crookedy seams and other minor sewing infractions.

One of the two Tie Dye Diva patterns in Sewn Hats
Here are some tips for sewing with fleece:

1. Fleece doesn’t fray or unravel, so there’s no need to finish your seams. You can of course use a serger if you prefer.

2. Fleece is a knit fabric. Now don't let that scare you! This just means that seams that will be stressed (stretched) when the finished item is worn should be sewn with a stitch that will allow the fabric to stretch. You can use a serger, a stretch stitch, a narrow zigzag stitch, or a 'longer than standard' straight stitch (about 3.5 on my machine). 100% polyester thread also helps with allowing the seams to stretch along with the fabric.

2. It can be tricky to figure out which side of fleece is the “right” side. On some fleece, the right side is furrier, and easy to distinguish from the wrong side. On other fleece, both sides look similar. If you cannot tell by looking, stretch a piece along the cross grain (stretchy direction); the fabric edges will curl to the wrong side.

3. Consider use long pins with heads when sewing fleece. Traditional pins can get lost in the pile. When your project is complete, double-check for pins before letting anyone try it on.

The full Sewn Hats blog tour list is below, and each stop will include a giveaway, so make sure you visit them all!
9/20 – Tie Dye Diva Patterns [You are here!]
9/26 – Bari J.
10/1 – Sew Mama Sew
10/2 – Aesthetic Nest
10/4 – Betz White
10/8 – Yummy Goods
10/10- Wiley Craft

For each stop on the blog tour, including this one here at Tie Dye Diva, Wiley Publishing is giving away a copy of Sewn Hats to one lucky winner (in the US only; no PO Boxes). Just leave a comment below answering the question, have you ever sewn a hat (what kind)?  and you'll be entered for your chance to win. Be sure to leave a way to reach you! I'll draw a random winner on Thursday, September 27. [UPDATED: Comments are closed. Winner to be posted shortly, stay tuned!]

Comments

Janice said…
Can't believe I'm first!!! Yes, I love the fleece hats, especially for my grands. It's sew warm and versatile. Would love to have this book to keep the creative juices flowing. Thanks for the chance to win it. BTW, LOVE your patterns.
Tonya said…
I sew all kinds of hats. I think my favorite right now is the sun hats. It is a basic hat, but can personalize for a boy or girl.
Unknown said…
I haven't made any hats yet...but I drool over all the patterns. I would love to try a few.
maggi said…
I have never made a hat, but I love big floppy soft hats! The pictures from the book make me want to start sewing one today!

Love your designs, too!
crescendogal said…
I sure have made hats...baseball cap, sunbonnets...LOVE ALL my TTD patterns!!!

crescendogal@yahoo.com
I have sewn a few sun hats for my daughter. I would love to win this book full of awesome patterns. I could sew for days.
Elizabeth said…
I have sewn a fleece hat for my brother. It had spikes on the top to look like a dinosaur. I also made some sunhats this summer.
Anonymous said…
Last year I did sew a few fleece hats and LOVED it for me and my kids. I've also tried sewing bucket hats for the kids, but I prefer to use fleece.
Jess
jessmusumarra (at) hotmail (dot) com
Dawn said…
I have sewn sun hats and fleece hats but it has been many years. Now I have grandkids who need hats.
Little Ella Lu said…
I've made several sun hats for my girls, a couple of them I used a vintage pattern.
Annie Anderson said…
I have not sewn hats before but I am SO excited to try!
robertkaye said…
I have never sewn a hat, but would love to learn and do one! This would be a great book to start and do that with!

Thanks for the chance to win!
Amanda Kaye Grant
robertkaye at charter dot net
Wanda said…
I have never sewn a hat, but would love to try. Everyone can use a hat.
Winter hats are my main hat focus, but lately I've been embroidering little tiny hats from urbanthreads.com. so cute!
CourtneySwain said…
I have never sewn a hat, i would love to make a newsboy type hat, i have seen several lately that i LOVE. i hope i win this book. In case i win, my email is swain.courtney85@gmail.com
Anonymous said…
I have never sewn a hat before but I want to make some cute ones for my daughter.
Cheryl said…
I haven't sewn a hat before, unless you count the rabbit head I sewed for my daughter's halloween costume one year.
Anonymous said…
It didn't occur to me until just now that when I was teaching, the students always wanted Santa hats to wear around the holidays and many purchased kits that I was able to get with the fleece cone-shape, so simple and the fur at the bottom. While I realize it's very seasonal, it's not in the book probably because of its limited use. I recall making hats out of recycled denim that were triangle pieces sewn into a circle attached to a band with the visor. I don't recall that they had a specific name, but I think I may still have mine! My favorite would be the reversible sun hat because I have fair skin and need to keep the sun off. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of that great book!
BurlapButton said…
I have heard NOTHING but good things from this book! I would just love to have it :) What a fun way to accesorize anything!! Better yet - you can match several outfits with one hat instead of just sewing an amazin outfit that you can only wear occasionally! Thanks Jen! I'd love to win :) Pretty sure I'd go for a hip little riding cap...
Brittny said…
I'm trying to sew my first hat now. Not going to say whig one because the directions are very pourly written.
Caitlin Weaver said…
I've sewn quite a few winter hats for my girls, a bonnet, and a sunhat this summer. I'd love to try out some new styles!!
cbakertroublemaker@hotmail.com
connie said…
I have sewn a tDD hat before and really loved it. I'd love to be entered to win the book. Thanks!
Unknown said…
I have sewn lots of bonnets and some hats with knits but this book looks awesome!
I've always wanted to sew with fleece but have not as yet. So many cute hats! I have not sewn any hats but I have knitted and crocheted some, does that count?, hehe.

Thank you and Wiley Publishing for suce a neat giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Tammy said…
I made my baby girl a cotton sun hat last summer, but I have not attempted anymore. I think this book would be a great place to pick back up.

tholland5345@yahoo.com
beth said…
Yes! TDD Fleece hats are all in my "pattern stash".
b.blank@yahoo.com
Lee said…
I have made a few costume hats and a baby bonnet! I would love this book. Thanks for the tips on sewing with fleece. thanks!
Joyful Noise said…
I have made a couple hats. My favorite was a bomber hat with ear flaps for my youngest.
Lisa said…
I used one of your patterns to make my very first hat... and it was so stinken easy too! I also have your fleece hat patterns but haven't gotten the chance to try 'em... I even have the fleece, sad.
Lori said…
No I have never sewn a hat before, but would love to give it a try.
Maggie said…
No, I've never sewn a hat before, but this book makes me want to make one even more!!
Maggie said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leela the Kid said…
I've sewn a bonnet before, but nothing more complicated. I'd like to try some other types.

pahl dot leela at gmail dot com
I have sewn some baby hats using the zaaberry pattern.
Amy said…
I've sewn a couple hats. I've made a few fleece hats for the cold New England winters and a couple of baby bucket hats for sunny days at the beach.
Kristy said…
Very fun! And yes, I have! Just made a big, floppy sun hat for my youngest this summer and she loves it! :) Thanks for the chance!
Janet Fox said…
When my daughter was first born I made her all kinds of sun hats. Now she's 3 and time to make some more!

janetlfox@gmail.com
Andi said…
I have made several TTD 30 min fleece hats. I love love love that pattern! The only negative is I live in Florida & don't get to wear them as much as I would like!
This year I've made a fleece owl hat, lil monster and dino! I love making hats!
Lindsay said…
I've made a Tie Dye Diva sun hat with the ruffle before, it's SO cute! I'd love to learn how to make more!
karen said…
LOVE LOVE LOVE HAT BOOKS! This one looks fantastic
jerica said…
I haven't sewn a hat before but am dying to try! Love this book!
Debbie said…
I just made a toddler sun hat and I loved making it.
Mrs Stilly said…
I've never sewn a hat, but would love to try!
I'm sure a hat would look adorable with the diaper cover and reversible baby dress!
Victoria said…
I have never sewn a hat except for Halloween costumes. I have knit many hats but never sewn a hat and I think it is time to try.
darcie said…
I can honestly not remember if I have sewn a hat or not! Maybe I've just sewn enough in my mind to fool myself into thinking I have? Anyway, the book looks great, and I would definitely love to make some of the designs in there. Congrats!
Laurie~ said…
I made a wide brimmed Sumday this summer, they were sew easy. I also followed Whitney Sews You tube tutorial and made a corduroy newsboy hat. I'd love to learn how to make more hats!!!!!!! Lollie2639@yahoo.com
Rebekah Truba said…
I have never sewn a hat. But I like Carla C's patterns, so hopefully I'll win
BklynDoll said…
I have sewn plenty of hats for kids and they always are that something special to finish off an outfit. - Carol - pillowtalkgirl@aol.com
April K said…
I have been wanting to try hats but the one time I did, it was a big fail! So I would love to be able to try them again with such cute patterns!

artistapril@gmail.com
Andrea shick said…
Ive sewn sun hats! Would be awesome to have some new patterns to try! Crazy_andge@yahoo.com
Lindsay said…
I have never sewn a hat, but I want to try! What an awesome book!
Amy O said…
I LOVE hats and would love to start making them myself. :)
bkrakowski@adelphia.net said…
I would love to sew hats for all of my grandchildren. I could invision alot of them with cute embroidered designs on them.
Lil' Liza Lou said…
I have made a lot of hats (especially this past week). Lots of styles and love the simple ones for my kids and love all the little different ways you can personalize them to each person. :)
I have only sewn baby bonnets, sun hats and ruffle knit hats :) I would love to learn how to sew tons more!!

Thanks for the chance to win!
mhuges said…
Totally interested in this book....I have three granddaughters that love hats and I'm also interested in building a my pattern collection.
Thanks!
Kiki and Molls said…
I have not ever made a hat, but now having three kids, I will be trying some before winter hits!
Unknown said…
I have made a few fleece hats. Would love to try many different styles!