Monday, December 10, 2012

The New Flat Cap Pattern and a Magazine Project

Well, I finally stopped talking about it and got around to making a hat for the blokes (which also looks fab on girls). 
I've made it a digital download, so you can print it out immediately and start sewing up a flat-cap storm in time for Christmas.  You can get it HERE.

The pattern is a multi-size number, which fits sizes - Small - 56cm (22’’), Medium - 58cm (23’’), Large - 60cm (23’’) and Extra-Large - 62cm (24’’).

NOTE: I'd recommend printing out the instructions 2-up or booklet form, and check your printer settings before printing out the pattern, to make sure that it's printing ACTUAL SIZE, not fit-to-page.

 
The cap can be made in any medium-weight fabric, through to thicker wools and (my favourite) cotton moleskin.  
During the development process, the design went through lots of minor tweakings, thanks to my advisory committee of blokes (Chris in the office's sons and hubby, my mate Dale and his workmates, and my cover-boy Chris, who somehow got bundled into the whole thing and ended up on the cover without any sort of plan... ahem.. or payment ...apart from a hat).
 
Some of the sample hats have been claimed by members of said advisory committee, and can be seen on the streets of Melbourne as we speak.  I've heard that compliments have been made and girls have borrowed them.  And the blokes like them, which is what I was aiming for. 
 

 While we're on the subject of new patterns, this month's Australian Homespun Magazine has the final in the "A Trip to Remember" project of the month.  It's a bag designed by Amy Butler, with instructions developed by yours truly.
 Amy was in a tight spot last year, when her pattern-writing staff were away sick, and the project needed to be put together.  I was called in to help ...so I helped. 

The design and pattern are not mine - I was sent a sample and a pattern, and I worked out the work flow, wrote instructions, included a few tips for things that I thought might help and took the photos.  And then the Homespun editors did their re-working to the Homespun format and we have the final project.  It was a bit of a group-effort, really.

So... lots of holiday sewing for you!   Back to book-writing for me.....
 

13 comments:

  1. I have the magazine and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your instructions. I find Amy's patterns 'kill you with kindness' - instructions to the n'th degree that you lose the flow. I love your patterns Nicole because the instructions are simple, direct, straight to the point - I know EXACTLY what you mean. :-)

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  2. caps off, another winner!

    I'm betting there's S520 in the brim. Am I right? !!!

    First flat cap I made had buckram in the brim, wiggly floppy disaster. I made a bakers boy once I'd discovered S520, best hat evah! Mind you I haven't made a hat for donkeys...

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  3. It actually has template plastic in it (more easily sourced around the world).

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  4. Definitely on my to-try-one-day list, fabulous looking hat! And how very brilliant that Amy Butler needed you to give her a hand - that really is saying something! You're a super star

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  5. Love the new hat and sure my menfolk will too!

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  6. Oh, a potentially usable AB pattern then? ;o)

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  7. I've just purchased the pattern and look forward to making caps for both female and male members of my family.

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  8. The hat rocks! Unless it's done in patchwork tweed ie: Doctor Harry look = not good.... ;)

    Having tried to get my head around some Amy Butler patterns in the past, getting you to help out would be a very wise move!! Think I might just have to buy me a Homespun!

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  9. Oh, this is a perfect cap I could make for my brother-in-law! Thank you so much for developing the pattern!!! I may not get it done for Xmas but definitely for his birthday :) I'm very excited now!!!! And that issue of Homespun looks good, might need to get it :)

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  10. Oh Katy Cameron, I am glad I read that. I always though I was stupid not to be able to follow her patterns.

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  12. This is exactly what I want to make for my son for his Christening - only in baby size...any tips?

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  13. Hi Nicole, where do you find cordon moleskin? Cheers, Sarah

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I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki