October 2013 - Project FINALE!

Today is the FINAL DAY of our October 2013 "Hat's Off!" Project!

I want to offer a special thanks to all of you that have sewn and kept this rolling while I was out of town. YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING! I know each and every one of these hats will be welcomed and enjoyed!

Be sure and check out the great collection of hats that have already been made for donation to this month's project and add pics of your own to our October Project flickr album HERE. 

While my current intentions are still to have the November Project ready to post in the morning....bear with me if it's delayed at all. In addition to getting back in our groove around here from mama being out of town and lots of sick littles, the kids are all excited about tonight's dressing up fun and tomorrow is my Hubs birthday, so lots of things going on right now. :)

More soon...

Hats Off Hat Sewing....Keep It UP! :)

Hey Friends! 

We're entering the FINAL WEEK of sewing for our October Project! If you need the details about the project, find them HERE. 

Looking for HAT making inspiration? Got you covered there too! Find my "Head Gear" pin board HERE full of ideas, patterns and tutorials!

Also, be sure and check out the great collection of hats that have already been made for donation to this month's project and add pics of your own to our October Project flickr album HERE. 

The hats are been mailed to Dona at Sewing Miles of Smiles this month to be distributed at the hospitals she already regularly serves in her community. I'll be unavailable by email while at Market, so if you are ready to ship your items, visit Dona's blog to get in touch with her for a shipping address. 

Thanks so much for sewing along and making a difference for so many every month!

Mid-Month Reminder!

It's been an exciting and busy week around here and I nearly forgot to remind us all that we're at the mid-month point! ALREADY!!!!

That's right....if you are sewing along to support our October Project to make hats for hospital patients....there's still time, but only a couple more weeks. 

Get the project details here!

Join us!!!

HATS OFF!!!

I finished my first hat last night and OH MY!!!! This might just get addicting! 

These soft, little head-toppers are so much fun to make and really go together quickly!

I've used this tutorial from On Hand By Hand, with these modifications for "bear ears" from Monkey See, Monkey Do. Mine are made with fleece outer and a printed flannel lining. 

We will be sewing HATS all month long for our October Project, hope you'll join us!

Find out all the details here. 

October 2013 - Monthly Project Announcement

For our October 2013 Project, we are teaming up with Dona from Sewing Miles of Smiles to sew and donate as many hats as we can for the patients she regularly cares for in her community!

Dona is one of those people that is always looking for how she can GIVE MORE and I'm honored to get to work with her on this special project!

I've created an album on Pinterest with a variety of hat tutorials and inspiration called "Head Gear", you can find it here. Any sizes from preemie to adult welcome, and sewn, crochet or knit, in any material also welcome. Run with it! And know that you are helping care for someone who may be experiencing a challenging time in their lives right now. 

When you have your hats ready to ship, simply email me for the mailing address. 

I'm looking forward to sewing with you this month and seeing your cozy creations! 

If you'd like to share what you've made for this project, I've created an October Project Album here where you can add your pictures. 

Love to have you grab the project badge and help us spread the word!

Pattern Review - Ruffle Sun Hat by Whimsy Couture

I've got the perfect little Spring & Summer hat pattern to share with you today!

It's the new Ruffle Sun Hat by Whimsy Couture. 

 This is a super quick and easy sew!

I think it would be a perfect beginner project that would allow for practice threading elastic too.

I made the one for my Lil' Miss in Easter fabrics, with a removable bow on the solid side, so she can wear it even after the holiday. The instructions for making the big bow are included with the pattern too!

And, it's reversible!

She loves wearing it, so I'm going to have to take a few minutes and make her a summery one too. 

My 11 year old has even requested one....and she looks just as sweet as her little sis wearing it!

CUTE! CUTE! CUTE!

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Beginner

Size Range: Newborn - Adult

Special Techniques: Elastic casing, threading elastic.

Pattern Format: PDF

Materials Used: Cotton solids & prints for the hat and bow. X-Large Ric Rac for the accent trim on the solid side. The monogram pin serves as the removable attachment for the bow.
Personal Notes: Fast, fun sew, adorable finish!

Donation Opportunities for Handmade Hats

There are so many great ways to give back by making hats & caps I wanted to share a post just about that! Almost all of these organizations will provide you will free patterns and instructions to work with for your donated items as well.

From their website, 

"Click for Babies is a grassroots initiative to collaborate with knitters and crocheters across North American to make PURPLE caps for babies. 

The initiative is being organized by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) in partnership with invited organizations in an effort to prevent infant abuse, namely Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma and educate caregivers about the Period of PURPLE Crying."

You can also find CLICK on facebook and twitter. 

 From their website,

 "Calvin’s Hats is a non-profit organization that represents volunteers dedicated to bringing healing, comfort, and peace to grieving parents of babies born too early. All supplies and labor are donated and there is no charge to recipients."

 There is also a new facebook page called Healing Heart Headwear concentrating on hats and headbands made for babies born with congenital heart defects.

Another great organization using hats to make a huge difference in the lives of many is Hats for Hunger

They can also be found on facebook.

Additionally, you can check out these other caring organizations,

Hats of Comfort

Caps for a Cure

Chemo Caps

Hats 4 the Homeless

So if you get on a hat making kick, just know, they can be used in a BIG way to make a difference in the lives of others all around the world! 

Oh yea, and Tricia from Busy Mom Designs has a little bonus offering going on over at her facebook page! It's called "Crochet-it-Forward" and if you donate a crocheted hat between now and Sept. 26th for donation she's offering you one of her darling patterns FREE!!!
Get all the details on the Busy Mom facebook page here,

Good Stuff!!!