Chic Pillbox Hat Is Made Easily

Press, Volume C, Issue 29587, 9 August 1961, Page 2

Chic Pillbox Hat Is Made Easily

[By “MARY ANN”]

The pillbox hat is the hit of the seasop this year. It is easy to make and can be completed in an hour. Here is a pattern for the style. It could be made of crisp white cotton pique, grosgrain, coin-dotted taffeta or gleaming satin. It may be trimmed with a flat French bow to match or in a contrasting colour. It may be decked with a few flowers or completely covered with daisy heads. The basic pattern shapes, as indicated in the diagram, can be varied to suit the individual head size. The com-

pleted hat should cost only a few shillings. A quarter yard each of fabric and lining canvas is all that is required. Cut a strip 12in by 4in for the bow loops. Also one strip 4in by 2in for the slot of the bow. Take a 9in square of paper and fold in four. With the folded corner as centre, draw a curve touching 4Jin along one fold and 3Jin along the other. Cut round this line, open out and you will have an oval shape for the crown measuring 81 in long by 7jin across. To make the pattern for the sides of the hat, fold a strip of paper 25in long (or the measurement around your head plus one inch) into four. At the double fold mark down sin and at the other fold and edges, mark down 3Jin. Cut away a scallop line linking the two, so that the pieces resemble the largest strip in the diagram. The sin dip comes over the ears at the sides.

Arrange pattern pieces on fabric and lining and cut. Join straight edge of crown side to the oval shape, adjusting to head size. The small seam may be concealed under bow trimming at front. Machine material hnd canvas shapes together, snip in to seam at intervals round the top to prevent dragging. On the lower edge cut away canvas and turn up satin to depth of crown required, overcasting to canvas base. Add lining if desired. To make the bow. take the loop strip, right side facing and fold in half lengthwise. Stitch along 12in seam or. the wrong side, leaving ends open. Open through to right side and press flat with seam up centre back. Fold open ends across to centre and stitch together lightly. Fold slot piece edges in about a quarter of an inch, overcast and press. Wrap over centre of bow loops, pressing in folds to suit, and stitch to front of hat. This basic style may be cut on the bias of the fabric where a striped effect in straw, cloth or other fabric is to show to best advantage.