September brings to my mind the start of school, cooler days, and Vancouver rain. Yesterday, I saw huddles of umbrellas shielding students at the 99 UBC B-line bus stop. Soon there will be rain jackets and boots, but will there be hats?

The original hats that I sewed were of water-resistant, breathable fabrics. It was not easy sourcing out such fabric for the home sewer. A trip to the Yukon yielded better results. This kind of fabric is routinely used for outerwear of dogsled mushers who want to stay dry.

Back home and armed with a few metres of fabric, I set about sewing a woman’s hat. My wish was to create something both functional and stylish. Before I attached the hat lining, I taped all the seams so rain water would not penetrate the holes created by stitching. The only spot not protected by the tape was the centre top where I had hand sewn a button. I covered the button with the same weather-resistant fabric and it was large enough to act as an umbrella over that spot.

Rain, rain…come again another day.

The inspiration? A friend’s well-worn garden hat? The ripple of a child’s hat brim? The patina of a leather sofa?

Sewing hats began for me with a Vogue pattern and Italian menswear wool. I have always loved working with fine materials. My reasoning went along the lines of, “Why put in the effort unless you have high quality luxurious fabric in your hands?”

Imagine my surprise in the gift of leather from a discarded sofa. Some of the leather was ripped or dull and worn, but most was supple and a rich cognac colour. I felt that the simple lines and easy seams of a bucket hat would be a do-able first leather project. Experimentation on my Bernina sewing machine with a needle designed for denim jeans resulted in the basic hat. Finishing touches came after much contemplation, a trip to a leather workshop, and internet research. I used a chisel and waxed linen thread in a contrasting colour to overcast the brim. An online video informed the braid that embellishes the crown.

I enjoyed the challenge of creating my first leather hat and transforming something old to new. I have named this hat Woodstock.

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Left: Toddler’s Bucket Hat with rippled brim (40% Wool, 24% Cotton, 18% Silk, 18% Viscose)

Right: Baby’s Charmed Cloche with flower (100% Cotton)

A selection of hats is now available at a fashion boutique in Point Grey Village:

Tenth & Proper, 4483 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., 604-222-1115

A selection of children’s hats from beanie to bucket in assorted yarns and colours

Water-resistant, mesh-lined bucket hat

Vintage camouflage bucket hat lined with 100% cotton

47% Wool, 47% Cotton, 6% Nylon
Pattern by Maria Bittner, Pattern Paradise

Merino Wool and Superfine Alpaca, 58% Wool, 42% Alpaca
Design by Tracy J

47% Wool, 47% Cotton, 6% Nylon
Pattern by Dorianna Rivelli, The Lavender Chair

47% Wool, 47% Cotton, 6% Nylon
Pattern by Rebecca, Little Monkeys Crochet