These 10 hat and fascinator patterns were selected with the intention of being used as Derby hats, but they could easily be modified to accommodate everyday wear. If the pattern you are looking for has been discontinued, we recommend trying an online search for the pattern name and number. Older patterns are often still available through sites like Amazon, eBay and Etsy.
Black Snail Patterns #0615 Romantic Era Bonnet and Pellerine
This bonnet could easily be trimmed to look right at home among the hats at the Derby. It features a wide, curved brim and ties beneath the chin with a ribbon. The pattern contains two bonnet sizes for optimal fit.
Why not give this hat a try—because adults shouldn’t have all the fun. This pattern contains five children’s hats, including a wide-brimmed sun hat that would steal the show covered in fabric flowers. Boys may prefer a bucket hat with a smart hatband.
This pattern includes four hat styles, including a beret, pillbox, wide-brimmed (shown), and vintage-style fascinator. Any one of them can be trimmed appropriately for the Derby or for any spring celebration.
This pattern includes a hat with two brim styles, as well as instructions for creating a ribbon embellishment with a bow, fabric flowers, and a rosette. Shown is the smaller of two brims, with a bow as found in the pattern.
KwikSew 3885
This pattern, available on Amazon.com and Etsy.com, contains four hat styles: bucket, sun, open-crown, and newsboy-type cap. These classic styles are unadorned but can be easily vamped up to include elaborate trims.
By cosplayer Yaya Han, this pattern includes five styles of fascinators. From a simple pillbox to a mini top hat, they are secured by a narrow elastic band designed to be hidden under the hair. The pattern calls for purchased decorations, but they can be substituted by handmade trims, if desired.
Part of Simplicity’s costume pattern line, these hats can be adapted for the perfect Derby hat. Choose from four styles including a wide-brimmed hat, a classic top hat, and a Victorian fascinator version with trailing veil.
Truly Victorian 1880s French Bonnet
This pattern is based on Victorian hats from the 1880s and has a brim shape that accommodates a chignon or other pulled-back hairstyle. It is made from buckram and millinery wire, and covered in fabric. It is held in place with a ribbon tied under the chin.
Vogue 7464
This pattern, available on Amazon.com and Etsy.com, includes five versions ranging from a simple wide-brimmed hat to a dramatic, swooping fascinator (shown). They are all based on hat styles popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Vogue 9308
This hat pattern, available on Amazon.com and Etsy.com, includes one hat base and three trimmed options, including a back lace-up detail, a contrast tie, and purchased flowers and trim.
For more information about making and embellishing hats, check out the below posts:
- How to Make a Hat Base
- The Dresden Shepherdess: Create a Bridal Hat
- How to Make Fabric Bows and Feathers for Hats
If you’re a Threads Insider, Kenneth D. King’s Circular Ribbon Flower Redux describes a lovely method of making ribbon flowers.
I love all of these. I have particularly liked the Vogue version shown for ages. One day I'll get round to making it, probably for our Amateur Dramatic Society, once we are able to get going again.
Oh my gosh, Vogue 7464 is missing half of it's instructions! It's the pattern that drove me to the internet searching on "Vogue 7464 instructions" and making a whole new set of sewing writing friends. I marvel that it's still in print (at last check, still missing the second half of the instructions for the version shown) but I'll wager NO ONE EVER MAKES IT. And apparently, none of you have ever made it either. And if you choose to, search on those terms and you will meet new fun people as well. It's a handsome hat, just not straight out of the envelope.
Are the instructions that are missing the ones for that green hat/fascinator? I bet they are 'cos that's the one I want to make!