One-Seam Girl's Hat: Hand-Sewn

A kids' knit-fabric hat is a must-have. You can wear it not just outdoors, but at home after a shower too, to help your hair dry faster. This style is about as simple as sewing gets — just one seam, done ENTIRELY BY HAND, and even the decoration is made without a sewing machine. You'll get a very cute turban-style hat from 40 cm of knit fabric or stretchy terry cloth — it's up to you.

Cutting

You'll need a piece of fabric measuring 40 by 40 cm. Fold it in half both lengthwise and crosswise (with the corner at the bottom right). Measure 20 cm from the corner and mark an arc.

Cut out the piece, then fold the resulting circle in half with the fold facing down.

Sewing

NOTE! Start the seam 5 cm in from the edge! The hat is sewn by hand, so pick a sturdy thread. Sew with the thread doubled.

Baste along the seam, reach the edge of the semicircle, and WITHOUT cutting the thread, continue basting along the 5 cm section you left open.

Pull the thread tight, then take a few extra stitches to secure it firmly.

The base of the hat is ready! You can decorate the gathered spot however you like — for a child, a little bow looks especially sweet.

A bow to decorate the hat

You'll need two rectangles: 25 by 16 (the main piece) and 15 by 5 (the center strip). Fold the larger rectangle lengthwise with a slight overlap, then fold both halves toward the center.

Flip it over and hand-stitch it together with a basting stitch, securing the fabric fold at the same time. Pull it in (just slightly).

Fold the narrow strip in half twice and wrap it around the center of the bow.

All that's left is to sew it onto the hat at the gathered spot.

You can swap the bow for a flower made from fabric or crocheted.