Free Bucket Hat Sewing Pattern
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Learn how to make a bucket hat with a free sewing pattern in baby, child, and adult sizes. This beginner sewing project is great for summer!
Summer is here, and I love spending time outdoors. We love to hike, garden, and swim so having a hat to keep our face shaded and protected from the sun is so important.
I started designing this hat as a bucket hat, but I widened the brim for more sun coverage. It’s almost more of a sun hat, but I’m still calling it a bucket hat.
This hat comes with one design, but it comes in 9 sizes from baby to child to several adult sizes. It works for the whole family!
What fabric works for a bucket hat?
The fabric that works best for a bucket hat is cotton canvas or quilting cotton. I used both for the two hats I made with great success. The canvas makes the hat a little bit stiffer, but it also makes the hat a little harder to sew.
Canvas and cotton are easy to find and easy to sew, and it comes in every print and color imaginable. You’ll also need a fat quarter of quilting cotton for the lining.
Should I prewash the fabric?
Yes, you should prewash the fabric. Since the hat will get used and it’s washable, you should wash and dry the fabric on hot before cutting out the pattern pieces.
What is a PDF sewing pattern?
A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.
I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!
How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?
Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.
Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.
How to Measure Your Head
To measure the circumference of your head correctly, the tape measure needs to be over the middle of your forehead, go around above your ears and then sit in the middle at the back of your head at the widest part. Do not pull the tape too tight unless you want your hat to be that tight when you wear it.
What sizes does the pattern come in?
The pattern comes in sizes baby, toddler, young child, child, teen, and four adult sizes. Use the measurement chart below to find the right size to make.
When you measure your head, make sure you are measuring around the widest part of your head so that you make the right size.
Do you love to sew? Try one of these fun sewing projects:
- Free PDF sewing patterns
- Beginner sewing projects
- Summer sewing projects
- Canvas sewing projects
- Quilting cotton sewing projects
How to Make a Bucket Hat
Supplies
- Free Bucket Hat Sewing Pattern – get it at the end of the post
- 1/2 yard quilting cotton or cotton canvas (for the main part of the hat)
- 1 fat quarter of quilting cotton (for the lining of the hat)
- 1/2 yard fusible interfacing
- Matching thread
- Sewing tools
- Sewing machine
Do you just want the pattern and tutorial as a PDF? Get the pattern and photo tutorial for just $6. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. Or get the Pattern Bundle with ALL the PDF tutorials!
Cut out all the pattern pieces as instructed in the pattern. From the outer fabric you’ll need 1 crown, 2 sides, and 4 brims. From the lining you’ll need 1 crown and 2 sides. From the interfacing you’ll need 1 crown, 2 sides, and 4 brims.
Fuse the interfacing pieces to all the wrong side of the outer fabric pieces.
Match up the short sides of the outer fabric sides with right sides together. Match up the shorts ides of the lining fabric sides with right sides together. Sew each side and backstitch when you start and when you stop.
Press the seams open.
On the outer fabric side (that is now a tube), edgestitch the seam allowances open. This creates a nice, casual look and makes it easier to sew and wear with the seam allowances stitched flat.
Pin the crown to the top (the smaller circumference) of the side with right sides together and match the notches to the side seams. Sew the crown to the side being careful since you’re sewing a curve to a straight edge.
Do the same to the lining. Press the seam allowances towards the crown on both the outer piece and the lining piece.
Edgestitch the seam allowance towards the crown on the outer hat piece.
Sew around the bottom of the lining piece 3/8 inch from the edge. This is a guide stitch.
Pin one brim to another at the short side seams with right sides together. Pin the other brim to the remaining brim with right sides together.
Sew all four side seams and backstitch when you start and when you stop.
Press the seams open. Edgestitch around the seam to keep the seam allowance open and flat.
Place the brims right sides together and match up the outer circle. Pin it together.
Sew the outer edge of the brim all the way around.
Notch the seam allowance or trim it with pink shears.
Turn the brim right side out and press flat.
Topstitch around the edge of the brim 1/4 inch from the edge.
Optional: sew more rows of stitching in smaller and smaller circles around the brim. This just adds to the look.
Pin the brim to the side with right sides together. Match up the side seams of the brim with the sides seams of the sides.
Sew the seam. Be careful and adjust as you sew since you’re sewing a curve to a straight edge.
Clip 1/4 inch into the seam allowance with scissors about every 1 inch.
Place the lining inside with the wrong side of the lining facing the wrong side of the hat. Fold the lining inside at the 3/8 inch guide stitch. Pin the lining in place with all the raw edges folded inside.
When looking at the hat from the outside, sew in the seamline between the brim and the side to secure the lining inside.
You finished!
Get the Free Sewing Pattern here!
If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
Where is the free pattern for the bucket hat. I keep scrolling and clicking for free pattern but I can’t find it
https://www.heatherhandmade.com/free-bucket-hat-sewing-pattern/#get-the-free-sewing-pattern-here
I think the best way to get the correct measurement of your head is to put on a similar hat that fits (go to a department store if you don’t have a hat). Adjust the hat in the front and back in manner that feels comfortable and how you would wear it. When you’ve found the hat that meets those criteria, measure carefully around that hat where the brim meets the bucket. How you wear the hat influences the slant of the measuring line. And measuring a hat that is already sewn also accounts for the seams that will take up some space and make the hat a bit smaller, too. When I did this, I came up with a size that is Adult S vs Child.measuring around my head.
Great tip!
I think I am missing something with the pattern. I printed it and I don’t see how it goes together to get what you show.
I’ve subscribed but can only access one pattern at a time. To get another I have to re-subscribe, is this right?
Yes, this is correct
Thank you so much for this pattern. Had so much fun making it, I made 2 hats 👒
Yay! That’s awesome!
I keep putting in my email but nothing happens How do I confirm?
You are confirmed (through the email). The pattern should come within the next couple of hours. Check your spam or other folders just in case!
Hi Heather,
I’ve been sewing since I was 9 and now I’m a very young 78. I think I’ll have fun making the bucket hat. Thank you. That’s one of the few things I haven’t sewn..
Hello Heather and thank you for offering this adorable pattern!
I have a question about the side pieces. The little lantern guides aren’t matching up so I first thought maybe I left a part out or threw out an important part of the pattern…
I have a photo of what I am referring to but am unable to copy it to this message…
You can email me [email protected]
Quiero las medidas del sombrero
I am new to the site and happy to get my bucket hat pattern! I love your attitude Heather. It’s the small things!!!
awesome!
Hi
I just joined and subscribed to your website but unable to locate how to download a pattern.
What is the seam allowance? Can’t seem to find it. Thanks
It says it on the pattern, it’s 3/8 inch seam allowance
Se vcs puder transmitir em português o passa do chapéu seria bom.
Wonderful! The first one from the original came out a little wonky, so I adjusted a few things and the second came out great! Will definitely try out the new pattern for another! Thanks lady!
You’re welcome!
I could not find free pattern for hat
I need a chart for teen and adults with the head measurements. Thanks
It’s in the directions.
I need a size chart with the head measurements like the one in your post for babies and kids
Below the babies and kids sizes are the adult and teen sizes. You have to look farther down the chart.
Do you have a chart for the teen and adult sizes?
If you look at the size chart near the top, the first row is babies, the second row is kids/teen, and the third row is adult.
Hi, I was wondering if you could please help me with picking the correct size. I measure at 20.5inch which makes me too big for toddler but too small for young child. Which one do you recommend I should use? Thank you x
Can you send me a picture of you measuring? The smaller sizes are probably to short on the sides for an adult to wear.
Hi, my apologies for the delay in getting back you. I know it sounds ridiculous the sizing, as I’m an adult, but I’m on the petite size. For hats off the rack I have to get kids age 4 – 7 years.
I’m having trouble attaching photos. Do you know how I can send them to you? Thank you x
you can email me [email protected]