Bonnet Pattern
Homemade Strawberry Short Cake Hat

The bonnet pattern for Strawberry Shortcake Costume was quite easy and fun to do. I had to draft my own pattern, and this is how I did it.

What you will need

Large pieces of construction paper
Bowl (you will see what this is for later)
Pencil
Sharp Scissors
Sewing Machine
Thread
Fabric
Stiff lining (netting, non fusible interfacing)
Strawberry applique (Optional)

The Fabric I Used:

The fabric I used is from Fabric.com. In my search for Strawberry Shortcake fabric, I could not find it any where online or in a fabric store, other than Fabric.com.

Amazon carries some, but not what I really wanted. I do recommend using Fabric.com. They are a reliable option for purchasing fabric.

The amount of fabric I purchased is above each fabric sample. Unfortunately the strawberry fabric is no longer available, however I have shown a possible alternative. You can of course choose your own color and print to make your bonnet pattern.

1/2Yard

1Yard

1/2Yard

Step by Step:
Strawberry Shortcake Bonnet Pattern

Step One: Making the Bonnet Pattern

I found a bowl large enough to create the top of the hat.
How large you make your hat is up to you, but, if you look at the vintage version of a strawberry shortcake image you’ll see it is quite large.
I would suggest measuring your head or whom ever will be wearing the bonnet around the fullest part of the skull and add about 6 inches.

On a large piece of construction paper, I traced a line around the bowl to form the top of the bonnet pattern.

Measure 3" from the outer line of the circle this will stand as your hat brim.

Now cut out along the lines that you have drawn.
These pieces will be your templates for the hat top and the hat brim.

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Step Two: Cutting Out

Using the circle template, cut out the top of the hat.

Using the same template, cut out your hat lining.
The stiff lining that will make the top of the hat stand up.

Cut out the brim using the paper template from step one. You will need to cut two layers. In this case I chose contrasting fabrics.
Once I had my brim cut out, I decided to scallop the edges.
This is easy. I used a glass to draw scallop lines and then cut around them.

Measure around your head to determine circumference of your hat.
This is the hat band.
Cut another band out of the same stiff lining you used for the top of the hat.

how to make a strawberry shortcake bonnet

Step Three: Stitching The Hat

For the brim.
Stitch the two brim layers together using a 1/4 " stitch width.

After stitching, turn the layers right side out.

For The Top of the Hat
Stitch two rows of basting stitches for gathering the edge of the top of the hat.
(Basting stitch is a long stitch length that is used to gather fabric.)

Before adding the hat bands, draw up the basting stitches to create a gather for the top of the hat.
Gather the same circumference as the hat bands.

For the Hat Band
Stitch the ends of the hat bands together.
Note: One of the bands will also have the stiff lining attached to it.

Press 3/8" on the one band with the lining, as shown in the photo.
Set the bands aside.

Step Four: Putting the hat together

Pin one band to the outside of the hat. Stitch in place.

Now pin the other hat band to the other inside of the top of the hat as shown.
Stitch in place the same as above.

You can see from the photo, the hat is now sandwiched between the band.
I discovered that the hat was a little too wide in circumference. If this happens to you. See my easy fix below.