Here is a quick and clever way to make a hatband: use scraps of linen rug backing and wool fabric from that growing pile of leftovers from your hooked projects. The design possibilities are endless—limited only by the bits and pieces you have in your stash. Indulge in wild colors or go cool and sophisticated. These hatbands will reflect your talent and creativity.
MATERIALS
- Linen rug backing
- White glue or hot glue
- Wool scraps in a variety of colors
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Thread to match wool
The Band
Use a 12″ x 1 ½” strip of any linen rug backing. Count in three threads from each outside edge. On a plastic-covered work surface, run a bead of thick white glue around all 4 edges, on the wrong side, along that thread. When the glue is dry, pull off the outer two threads on all sides, and reserve the long linen threads for sewing.
Insert Hat Detail Image
A hooked center and shaped petals make a great wool flower.
Attach the petals and sew the leaves onto the band with linen threads.
Leaves
Cut 10 to 12 leaf shapes from a variety of green wool scraps. Use either scissors or a rotary cutter. Vary the shapes in size from 1 1/2″ long by 3/4″ wide to 3″ long and 1 1/4″ wide. No need for a pattern—make them informal and different from one another.
With the linen thread you saved from the band, sew each leaf onto the band with 1/8″ to 1/4″ long stitches, along imaginary vein lines. Adjust the spacing as needed and as appeals to your eye. Do not knot and cut the thread for each leaf: just keep sewing until you use up the strand. Leave an inch of linen at each end of the band empty so that you can attach a flower. If you like, include a few buds with the leaves for additional color.
The Flower
This is where you can go wild. These instructions tell you how to create a basic flower which will be lovely all by itself. However, let your creativity go—add colors, buds, curlicues, and extra frippery to create a fancy hatband that is truly yours.
Cut a linen scrap about 3″ square, tape or glue the edges to prevent unraveling. With a fine-point permanent marker, draw around a spool of thread or other small round object to create a 1″ to 1 1/4″ diameter circle in the center of the square. This circle will become the center of your flower. Hook a flower center; the photo shows #3 cut chartreuse strips hooked about 1/4″ high. Be sure to hook high enough to cover the flower petals you will attach next.
Cut 10 to 12 petal shapes about 1 1/4″ high and 1″ wide from medium weight wool scraps in your stash in your colors of choice. You don’t need to make a pattern; just concentrate on making them the same height. Create a cupped shape at the base of each petal by making a small fold or pleat about 1/4″ deep. Secure this with hot glue or a few stitches, using thread that matches the wool color.
Position the petals tightly around the hooked center to be sure you have enough petals to achieve the look you want. Then stitch or hot glue the petals to the linen, one by one, butting them against the hooked loops. Cover the reverse side of the linen with thick white glue or hot glue; let the glue dry, then cut out the shape of the flower.
Finishing Touches
Sew or glue the completed flower to one of the short ends of the band. At each short end, pull a 12″ long wool strip though the hatband so that you have two 6″ lengths. These lengths are the ties that will hold the hatband onto the hat.