Tutorial: Fabric Witch Hat (Bendable) for Halloween
This tutorial will walk you through how to make a bendable witch hat for Halloween this year. It is a fabric witch hat that uses stiff interfacing and wire to achieve the “slouch” effect that witch hats are known for. The free pattern below will work best for a pre-teen or small adult head, but you can easily adjust the pattern to fit your head size. You can also add whatever decorations you want after the hat is finished. So go ahead and download the patern and get started with this step-by-step tutorial.
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
This pattern was made for a 21.5″ head (a pre-teen or small adult size head). Measure around your head (where a hat would sit) to find your measurement.
Step 1
sew the brim around the outer edge
With right sides together, sew the two brim pieces
Step 2
trim the seam and turn it to the right side through the center
You can use a chopstick or some kind of long pointy tool to press out the seam.
Step 3
trim the seam allowance from the interfacing
Trim the inner and outer seam allowance from the interfacing
Step 4
Insert the interfacing into the brim through the center
You can topstitch to keep the interfacing in place.
Step 5
Apply the interfacing to the hat top
Trim the seam allowance from the bottom seam.
Step 6
fold the hat in half and sew
With right sides together, sew the straight edge of the witch hat top.
Step 7
trim the point of the hat
Taper the seam allowance at the point of the hat so it comes very close to the stitches.
Step 8
Turn the hat to the right side
Press the seam to help it sit flat.
Step 9
sew the hat top to the brim
Match up the seam allowances for the two pieces and sew. If you’re a beginner, It may be easier to hand sew this part because of the nature of sewing curves together (the brim side will seem smaller than the hat side so you will need to ease the fabric on the seam). You have more control over easing the fabric when hand sewing.
Step 10
Trim the seam
Trim the excess seam allowance so that the hat will fit your head more easily.
Step 11
fold the lining in half and sew two lines of stitching
With right sides together, sew along the straight edge. Add a second layer of stitching inside the seam allowance. Taper the point of the seam just as in step 7.
Step 12
Cut a piece of wire to fit along the straight seam
Insert the wire into the casing you made in the lining seam allowance. The wire will make the hat bendable and poseable, so you can slouch your witch hat into whatever position you want.
Step 13
Place the lining inside the hat and sew it in place
Fold the seam allowance over and sew it in place to hide the raw edges of all the layers. Just as in step 9, it will probably be easier to have sew this rather than using a machine.
Finished!
