Tuesday, July 01, 2014

4th of July Topper!!!

Hey everyone! Occasionally I like to challenge myself.  Ever do that? I used to sew all the time in high school and made almost every shirt I owned back then, and several for friends, but after that I stopped sewing. Since Tim Holtz came out with Eclectic Elements Fabric, I've wanted to take it back up again, but time is always a factor. Recently, I had a day to do nothing but play, so I decided to challenge myself to not only sew, but to stitch something very difficult, A HAT!!! A challenge it certainly was, and it's far from perfect...so far...but I LOVE it, and am proud of myself for trying! I urge you as well, to try something new and challenging...it's very rewarding intrinsically.
This was so much fun to make in an afternoon! I will proudly were it every year on Patriotic occasions!
All I used was the fabric, scissors (Tim's new longer sheers.), crinoline to add stiffness between layers, a die, an iron, and the sewing machine. No glue, pattern, or measuring tape were involved. I just used my head to measure fabric.
I die cut the stars with Tim's Sizzix Stacked Stars Bigz Die, and sewed them on to the blue striped fabric.
I stitched the white newsprint and red striped fabric strips together, with crinoline on the back, before adding the blue letter block fabric to the back.
The top was a little hard to sew on the machine, and it's uneven, but it works. The crinoline really helps everything stand up well.
Here is where the trouble started...the brim. I wanted it to be really shaped and stiff, so I used a piece of chipboard between the layers of fabric.
After sewing around the outer edge of the circle, I cut the center out, added the chipboard, and cut slits to help the fabric fold back in on itself. I sewed this to the main part of the hat, but it came out a little wonky...okay, very wonky. It's only for fun though, so I don't mind that it is not perfect. It's perfectly okay to me!
I planned to not have any seams showing on the inside, but it didn't turn out that way. Oh well, I love it anyway!
 
And guess who stole it from me? The little one! He loved it, in fact, all the kids did! It turned out to be a big hit!

Supplies:



I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon! 


34 comments:

  1. Brilliant Anita, you took a fabulous idea and made it work so beautifully. I love the tall shape, the added stars and the fact that the crinoline added enough stiffness for it to stand up right. You both look great wearing it xx

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  2. Oh wow Anita, this is brilliant and you certainly rose to the challenge you set yourself, fabulous!!

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  3. Great hat! It's just funky enough. Sorta like the ones the ladies all wear at the Kentucky Derby.

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  4. Well, nothing coming back into sewing with a bang! Not the easiest challenge for you but I love your patriotic hat, it is such fun, it looks even better on. Hugs, Anne xx

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  5. I love it Anita, it's awesome! I have been aching to make a quilt with the fabric but just haven't done it yet. You have inspired me to do it!! Love the hat!

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  6. How cool is this ?! A fabulous idea and a wondeful piece of art.

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  7. Golly - talk about jumping back in the deep end with the sewing - but what a brilliant make! It looks very cool on both of you!
    Alison x

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  8. Anita, I take my hat off for you: this is absolutely an awesome project!!

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  9. Fantastic hat!!! Materials that you used to sew the hat are really stunning. You both look great wearing :) Greetings Asia:)

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  10. Awesome and fun!!! Green with envy :) The only thing I can sew on is a button.

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  11. A hat worthy of the mad hatter himself! A fun and funky piece.

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  12. Anita this is too cute for words and what a fabulous idea! Of course it was going to
    be a big hit with the kids! Great job and thanks for sharing truly love it!

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  13. Amazing piece of work, especially with no pattern! It came out terrific and is one cool patriotic top hat. Have a blast wearing it on the 4th!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  14. WOW...Fabulous hat...Love the photos you both looks fantastic...Love it... Hugs May x x

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  15. Wow cool is this! Love the 4th of July hat! Really stunning! Hugs, Sandra

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  16. OMGosh!! Are you ever talented!! Great Hat Anita!! Happy 4th! xo

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  17. Fab idea Anita! I am not surprised it has been pinched already! I guess you may be making a few more ;-)

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  18. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! Love this patriotic top hat, Anita!! Has Tim & Mario seen this yet? I have a feeling they'd want a couple for themselves ;) :) XOXO-Shari

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  19. As I can barely thread a needle, there is no way in a million years I would attempt this, so well done you! It looks completely great. Happy 4th of July to you.

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  20. Awesome toppers Anita! So unique and creative! I love them and the models :) Happy 4th to you and your family!

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  21. That is one awesome hat! So creative and cool! Thanks for sharing. Happy 4th! ~kim

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  22. How awesome is this? Of course everyone wants it!

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  23. I LOVE this hat and the adventure you had making it!

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  24. Fabulous creation Anita. You both look terrific. Happy 4th July. Nicola x

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  25. Fabulous! Way to go on challenging yourself.

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  26. Wow...you are so clever Anita...Your fabric topper is soooo cool!! :)

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  27. Oh how great Anita! I love that your son tried it on too! You rock! Happy 4th!

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  28. Wow! Amazing creation! Sounds like you really enjoyed getting re-acquainted with sewing. Like you I used to sew a lot and rarely bought clothes. I'd love to get back into it. Your hat has really turned out well the fabrics are perfect and it looks great on you both. I wonder whose wearing it today ? Have a great Independence Day best wishes Toni

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  29. Good for you for giving it a go.anita, I think it's amazing.....happy 4th of July!

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  30. Wow!!!!!!! This is such a fabulous use of Tim's fabric. I am floored. Sweet layout of the fabric and genius way to put it together. NO wonder it was a big hit. What a way to celebrate the 4th! Hope you have enjoyed the holiday weekend. You guys both look fab in the hat! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  31. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! Uncle Sam himself would be proud to wear this I'd say Anita. Can't believe you haven't been sewing every day for years with the high standard of this. That's going to be a family heirloom at this rate! Love it. Jenny x

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  32. Go, girrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllllllllll! That is one super hat, and I love the lining just as much!

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  33. How clever! You could totally market these!

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