Saturday, September 27, 2025

Hat patterns, 🐠 and other vital things

So I started creating a paper pattern for one of this ambitious group of hats that might happen.


Here's the old hat and I drew around the brim allowing for a hem

Then I fitted paper around for whatever you call the side of the crown 

In the background you see the brim and the crown drawn in the middle 

Here I'm fitting the paper around the crown 

And the pieces are assembled, looking like the Mad Hatter, and I taped them to try on, after which I can get on with cutting two layers of fabric one for the lining, one the visible part.



As you see, the brim is pretty good and the crown will be about an inch lower when the seams are stitched. So far, not bad. I can enlarge the brim if I decide to. 
This millinery making is serious  stuff!

There was also food, the cod now up for lunch,
Here's the set up showing the production line. I'd dried and cut the pieces, made a batter which I seasoned with sea salt and long red pepper, dipped the pieces then rolled in panko 
Here on the right is lunch and in the blue dish a couple of future lunches in waiting, toaster oven 425°f till brown and crisp, the fish inside moist, lovely.
I had some of the broccoli heads I'd steamed yesterday, and used the leftover batter to make a cheese sauce, with a bit of butter and grated sharp cheddar. 

After it thickened I added in the broccoli so it got sauced and heated up at the same time.
And here's lunch, crunchy fish, cheese broccoli with a dab of Annie's Ketchup. I like the different textures on this plate.
Energy food. Yogurt with lime and blueberries for dessert.

After that it was about resting then reading the next Cazalet volume on the deck, lovely skies and shadows 

Earlier I'd walked,  and caught this late blooming hibiscus at the neighbor's house 


It flowers later than my Angel Eye, and blooms longer.

Lovely day, all kinds of things, and the evening online with friends to complete the day.

Happy day everyone, hoping your Friday was good. It amuses me when people ask what I'm doing for the weekend. Like it's different from the week!




47 comments:

  1. I am intrigued with how you made your hat pattern. I never thought of doing that you are a genius. Thanks for the inspiration. I hope I see your hat when you get it made.

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    1. You can make clothes this way too, using something you like as a template. You'll definitely see the results of the Great Hat Caper. In fact you might get tired of reading about it and scroll on.

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  2. Yes, we laugh when people wish us a good weekend. As for the hat, I LOVE it and love the photos of you modelling it. Maybe you can find some newsprint fabric!

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    1. That would be hilarious! I dunno, the neighbors already think I'm a weird duck, why confirm it. Alternatively why not go for it if they already think that..

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    2. I think another comment of yours might have gone away, sorry. I thought I saw your name, then I deleted some spam and when I looked again it was gone. Fat fingers, sorry.

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    3. Oh, I remember that comment. I was awed by my own brilliance. Can’t remember it now. Oh well.

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    4. It's always the gems that get away.

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  3. I think millinery would be a most interesting occupation. You hat has potential!

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    1. The good thing is that don't have to deal with picky customers. Other than me,that is.

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  4. Evenings with online friends sounds nice to me.

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    1. It's lovely, twice a week on spoutible, covering everything from birth order to world order.

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  5. I have a problem with hats, I have a small head so child size hats fit me better. but the brims are never wide enough to keep the sun off my face. At least I have sunscreen. And I don't like hats where the crown sits high above, I have to pull them down so they don't get blown off by the wind.

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    1. I have similar problems, which is why I'm making my own to fit better. I have a cloth hat that falls down over my eyes (!) so I ran elastic round the back of the crown to make it fit. This straw one rests on my sunglasses, so I think I can do better. At least I hope so.

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  6. I think you should wear the hat as is. Maybe something for Halloween? Kidding.

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    1. I'll need a mad hatter jacket and price ticket.

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  7. What a delicious sounding meal...as all your cooking seems to me. Inspirational! I haven't breaded fish in ages, and now may have a different choice for my weekly purchase at my local seafood shack today.

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    1. Go for it! Fish is really fast food, as cooking goes. I like breading because the fish inside doesn't get dry and overcooked.

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  8. Well! I'm impressed with the millinery.
    One of the great joys of finishing regular employment was freedom from the tyranny of imposed weekly, and termly schedules at school. And oh, the endless clock watching ro keep to time in 20 30, 40, 45 minute lessons when I was teaching piano. Joy joy joy!

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    1. Yes, that chopped up day! So good to be in a less structured life except the structure you decide on.

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  9. What a very cool thing to be working on now- making your own hats. But of course you are!

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    1. It's a bit of fun. And it may or may not work.

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  10. What a beautiful hibiscus! I admire your courage in hat-making. I can't imagine tackling something like that.

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    1. The hibiscus is really impressive. I see it whenever I'm out walking. The hat is just a fun trial, here goes nothing!

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  11. The hat pattern does look like the mad hatter! It's the height, which I know will be lower with the seams. The cod looks really good. Something like that is going on the menu.

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    1. Yes, paper doesn't flex like fabric, so once I cut and fit, I hope it will look less mad!

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  12. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. I want to do this with a pair of pants. I have the material but I'm waiting for colder weather that keeps me inside.
    I love the original hat. I just wondered if you can make a straw hat at home and looked it up. Of course there are instructions online on how to do this:)

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works, too. You can make a straw hat, go for it! And when you get the pants made, let us know about it.

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  13. Ah, I'm excited to follow you on your millinery adventure! Seafood is such good protein. I especially feel like I've gotten such a boost when I eat shrimp -- those little things are so energy-packed! Halibut and swordfish are my favorites though. I probably have each about once a year and just love them!

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    1. When I see the price of halibut, I order hake! But it's great.
      I will be learning as I go with the Great Millinery Caper.

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  14. You are so talented! I would never even attempt to make a hat.

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  15. I never thought someone could make their own hat! I think even GHWB might have liked THAT broccoli. Sounds tasty to me. I love hibiscus flowers in all their many colors.

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    1. People used to make everything, so I'm just trying hatting! The broccoli was good. Today I just dressed it with a dab of plain yogurt. Still good.

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  16. That will be a very cool hat! And the cod looks delicious!

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    1. We'll see about the hat! I appreciate all the encouragement meanwhile.
      I love cod done this way, crunchy bites, and you really can't overdo the fish if it's well coated.

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  17. I am always intrigued with patterns, and your hat definitely piques my interest. Making a hat such as this one is impressive and I look forward to seeing how a new one turns out. Thank you for your meal, I like to get new ideas on how to cook things and being a visual learner this is great. Nice shots of your neighbor's hibiscus. I have always loved that deep red color. Happy Fall Boud :)

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    1. I'm looking forward to the results, whatever they are! Next I have to decide on the order of cutting to get a good fit. I'm glad my food pix are useful. I like to share, especially if I find a new idea, or discover an old one, more likely.

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  18. The original hat is very dapper; it's fun watching the pattern-making. Thanks for taking us along step-by-step.

    Chris from Boise

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    1. When I cut it in fabric it will look more like a hat. Paper is unyielding, and won't sit right, but fabric will. At least that's the plan.

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  19. I think your hat pattern is terrific and I can’t wait to see the finished product
    You might have inspired me to try it myself

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    1. Go for it! You can do this if I can. And it's for any season depending on the fabric you choose.

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  20. Oh, how lovely :-)) I'm so happy that you're sewing yourself a hat...
    because I've done it from time to time, AND it's so much fun.
    I wish you much success.

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    1. Why am I not surprised you've done it! You're so talented and you can take on just about anything. Any chance of pictures on your blog?

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  21. LOL! My days are pretty much the same all week, too.
    I like the hat pattern. The fish and broccoli look delicious.
    Have a wonderful Sunday. :)

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  22. Hat making - is there no end to your skills? Now I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.

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