Ear Flap Hat! McCalls 6665

My son has been asking me for an ear flap hat. He was very specific: the outside was to be plaid and the inside, fur. I found this awesome flannel on fabric.com and I love it, so much that I am tempted to order more and go all logger-chic and make myself a flannel shirt or something of the sort. The fur was an entirely different story. I perused pages of faux fur on fabric.com and found that fake fur is expensive. Fake fur that looks real is even more expensive. And sold out. I was stumped. Until! I had an idea! I went to Sal's Boutique, also known as Salvation Army, on their family day. I found a large women's coat made of this sheepy-type stuff. And it was half off! For $1.99 I got enough fur to make a few hats. Score! The hat was simple to make, even with adding a layer of cotton batting in the middle for added warmth. If you make this pattern, it runs big...in my opinion. The last hat I made for my son was way too tight, so I decided to use 3/8 inch seam allowances on this to give it a bit more room. The hat is pretty huge, and in fact fits my head just right. I have enough left that I am going to make him another one that fits better, so that the ear flaps actually do their job. 

Catastrophe Averted

It seems that every time I make my daughter a cute dress or two, she outgrows them in no time. Which, quite frankly, is not the worst thing in the world. Sewing for a little girl is pretty darn fun! I am currently working on a winter-ish dress for her, and I got it in my head that she just had to have a fur cape to go with it. Now I don't really know my arse from my elbow when it comes to fashion trends, so I thought it was quite funny that I started to see these capes everywhere after I started making this one. The thing is, I have never sewn with fake fur. In fact, I have a prejudice against most fake fur. It usually looks cheesy, and, well....fake. I decided, however, to take the plunge and purchase myself some faux fur. I waffled for a while in the aisle of the fabric store, knowing that it could very well end up a catastrophe. The last thing I want is for my beautiful blond daughter to walk around looking like she stole the hide off a llama! To make the cape, I busted out my old-school compass and a big sheet of scrap paper. I drew up a simple pattern, and went from there. In process

The lining is from the dress that keeps on giving! It closes with a frog closure. The brooch is made from a technique I have seen all over the web lately. I have wanted to try it for some time and finally found the chance! Basically, you cut out circles of synthetic material (like polyester) and singe the edges. Keep water handy because the fabric is pretty flammable. I kept waiting for my husband to come in and ask me what in the world I was doing. :) The button in the center is a vintage button my Grandma found at her awesome second hand shop.