“And Ma in her kerchief and I in my cap / had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.”
KERCHIEFS AND CAPS
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our Advent SEWING DAY! And this year, we’ve got a doozy! Headwear! Think: Strega Nona meets Night before Christmas! Look at the GORGEOUS, and I mean GORGEOUS!!!! fabric we selected from our local Fabric Spark in the first image below. Today, we’re going to use this fabric, scraps from the stash, quilt batting, and two downloadable free patterns to sew the kerchiefs and caps of our dreams! For the kerchiefs, we’ll be using the Spaghetti Western Sewing Pearl Head Scarf pattern. And for the caps, we’ll be putting our own spin on the Ruby Star Society Flurry Santa Hat. And while we work? The “Quick Wins” episode of Love to Sew podcast!
I’ll post the results here and on Insta as they’re available!
Honesly, it might take a few days to complete this project, as we’ve got a lot going on this week.
RESULTS
I really enjoyed these “Easy Wins!”
The #swspearlheadscarf was particularly easy to make. On Wednesday morning, I found the remnant of wool from my Cascade Duffel coat to use on the outer layer. I cut this full size and lined it with quilt batting, stitching very close to the outside edge rather than quilting throughout. And I used the red and white kerchief fabric from Fabric Spark for the lining. I used Spaghetti Western Sewing’s layout for conserving the most fabric to cut the lining, so that I had enough fabric in .75 yards to cut two. (A second kerchief for my daughter is in the works, per her request!) The directions were simple and easy to follow. Probably good for an Intermediate to Advanced Beginner or beyond. Finished in about 2 hours, including the final bit of hand sewing at the back of the hat. No notes. Along with a twin for my daughter, I’m planning on another in some leftover leopard fabric I found at the thrift and the remainder of the black flannel I used inside the flurry, below. I finished it in the mid-morning and was able to wear it out in the first real snowfall of the season. What a gift!
The #rssflurry was certainly easy to cut. I used my patterned fabrics from Fabric Spark to create the band and outer layer. And I found some old black flannel to use as the lining. I also added a layer of batting (not called for in the pattern) which I simply sewed to the flannel layer as I stitched along the long side of the cone, treating the two layers as one. Since I have a serger, I serged the circumference of the band and cone instead of using a zigzag stitch. My only note is that I found the band, when cut as 8×24 inches and stitched according to the pattern’s 5/8-inch seam allowance, while an excellent fit around my head, was close to an inch smaller than the circumference of the cone, even after I’d carefully stretched the serged edge of the band. I ended up sewing two rows of basting stitches around the cone’s circumference and gathering it very gently in order to fit the band. That worked perfectly. But it wasn’t in the brief. So, it took maybe 2 hours to complete something that could have taken far less time. Though, it will be easy to adjust the cone for the next make. Oh, and I attached a tassel purchased from a local shop later in the evening, sewing it by hand. With the flannel layer and added batting, the furry is lovely and warm, perfect for a jaunt outside to the holiday market or for caroling! I’d wear it anywhere, really.
ON THIS DAY
2023: Make Cocktail Fixings: Raspberry Syrup and More…
2022: Cozy Sunday Supper Micro Cookbook Club
2021: St. Lawrence Market & St. Nicholas Eve
2020: Family Card Games & DIY Holiday Bridge Mix
2019: Make Clementine’s Crullers and Write a Holiday Haiku
2018: Adopt and Invent an Animal
2017: Spiced Finishing Salts 4 Ways: Za’atar, Harissa, Herbes de Provence, Ras el Hanout
2016: Plan Christmas Dinner and Make Dorie Greenspan’s Speculoos Buttons from Bon Appétit
2015: Donate to the WWF
2014: Draw Fresh Blueprints of Santa’s Workshop and Make Our Famous Santa Baby Cookies
2013: Write a Holiday Story Inspired by a Work of Art
2012: Draw Blue-Prints of the House for Santa
2011: Gingerbread House
SSJ HOME
SSJ ADVENT, ALL THE POSTS
SSJ ADVENT 2024, CALENDAR VIEW
Leave a Reply