Baby Flower Bonnet Tutorial 4

Knit fabric or an old baby vest and leggings like I used or even an old T-shirt would do.

Thread

Fold over elastic – half – 1 metre depending on size made Fabric stiffener or starch

First you need to decide on the size of the bonnet. The bonnet pattern is essentially a rectangle folded then curving 2 corners. To measure up for it, first you need the circumference around the child’s face. That’s your width. Then measure from the hairline at the centre forehead to the centre of the back of the head by going up and over the top. Add a bit extra to account for the front hem. Fold it in half then curve off the back corners (on the fold line) and that’s your pattern drafted for the hat.

Hem the 2 side edges then sew a basting stitch (hand sew a wide running stitch) along the back.

Gently pull on your basting stitch from both ends to gather it tightly together, then sew in place.

Add fold over elastic as bias binding to the front edge leaving enough at either side to tie under the chin. Sew those ends too so that it is fixed in half. You can either tuck the raw ends inside , or I just used a little fray check to stop it fraying at the ends. I find it easier to sew fold over elastic with a bias binding foot, as you can concentrate more on getting a stretch on the elastic without worrying about letting it accidentally slip out of place.  

To make your petals, keep in mind that an odd number will always look better than even. I used 7 petals for my flower bonnet. So take your width measurement and divide that by 7. Add 2 seam allowances and that’s the width you need to draw your petal pattern. Cut out your petal shape 14 times.

Sew seams around the edges of all the petals leaving the base open. Sew your 2 petal pieces right sides together leaving open the base. I chain stitched mine to save time here (simply lift the needle and presser foot and slide the next piece under once you’ve sewn one so they form a chain of petals. That way you only need to snip the thread once in the centre of each. It’ll be turned inside out so you don’t need cut your thread flush to the fabric).

Turn them all right side out (use a chopstick or similar to get your petal point to come out if you need to). Now turn your open edge under so the raw edges are inside and top stitch around the edges. I added a little detail to the petals too. I chain stitched these too.

Now is the time to add your fabric stiffener or starch to your petals. This will help them to hold their shape. Press them flat after searching. Attach your petals to a second piece of fold over elastic by sewing it to one edge about 1/4 inch in at most. I initially planned to shape them a bit but when I started sewing it was far easier to keep them flat than try to negotiate holding a pleat still on moving elastic! The fold over elastic was a little longer than the bonnet front, as it makes it easier to attach them with a bit to spare. Just be careful not to stretch between the petals as you sew.

Now place your bonnet right side up then push the front of your petals against it. Then, using a wide zigzag stitch, sew the 2 together.

Lastly, pull the fold over elastic back over the right side of the bonnet and stitch it down firstly as close to the petals as you can, then stitch the free edge down to neaten it. At the 2 ends, either tuck the raw edges under or use a little fray check again. Now just pull into shape and it’s finished!