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. 

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.

Fabric.com: Clearance and Closeout Fabrics

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.
  

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.

• I measured the hat to determine how much I needed to remove.

• I have measured a piece of elastic to bring in the excess in the hat band.
  
• Stitch elastic into the seam as shown.

• Now you add the brim to the outside hat band. Pin in place.

• Stitch the brim to the outer band as shown.

• Press the seam toward the inside of the band.
  

• Hand stitch the outer band in place as shown
  

• This is what the inside of the bonnet should look like.
  

• This is what the finished bonnet looks like.
  

For more costume ideas leave Strawberry Shortcake bonnet pattern page and go to my homemade costumes.