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Aviator cap pattern

cycler1729 | Posted in General Discussion on

I’m looking for a (free) aviator type cap pattern – something that fits snugly and has a tie or strap under the chin.

The closest thing that I’ve seen is on Wild Things and it’s a rain hat but that isn’t really snug.

I think that it needs to be in 3 sections for the right fit.

Has anyone got any ideas for drafting the pieces on my own?

Thanks!

Replies

  1. User avater
    ThreadKoe | | #1

    http://cristophine.deviantart.com/art/Aviator-Cap-Tutorial-84150949
    Is this the type you are looking for? Cathy

    1. cycler1729 | | #2

      Not exactly.  I've been thinking about it and I remembered a swim cap pattern that I got online which is a lot closer in shape except that I don't want it to be that low on my forehead and somehow if I'm able to combine that and the rain hat that might give me something similar to what I want.

      I bought the most beautiful piece of caramel quilted silk last year that I think will be perfect trimmed in a similar color leather.

      1. User avater
        ThreadKoe | | #3

        Sounds scrumptious! Cathy

        1. cycler1729 | | #4

          It cost a fortune.  I only bought a small piece as an accent for a dress but I never got to use it.  

          1. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #5

            I have a piece of silk burnout velvet like that...bought it with a project in mind, but never used it. Still have not found the right project to use it in. Cathy

  2. Ralphetta | | #6

    Have you seen Vogue 9007? It's an old pattern that has several headcoverings. One is a sculpted hood made from several pieces. One extends down the neck and flares out so that the throat is covered. It is not made for a knit pattern so it is several pieces. I think they're really sharp looking. I made one from fur.

  3. User avater
    ThreadKoe | | #7

    I was intrigued by your request. Is this closer to what you are looking for? http://www.shelby.fi/kaava/403/403.php Cathy

    1. cycler1729 | | #8

      Still not exactly it.  In the 60s I had one in tan canvas that had brown leather trim and grommets - just like a real flyer's cap.  I think that I paid $1.00 for it.   

      I came across this picture - I don't know if it will work. 

      View Image

      Edited 9/18/2008 11:01 pm ET by cycler1729

      Edited 9/18/2008 11:01 pm ET by cycler1729

      1. cycler1729 | | #9

        It worked!  It was from a site that is selling this one.

        1. User avater
          ThreadKoe | | #10

          Thank you! I did see something sort of similar in my search, I will have to go back and see if I remember where I saw it. I am having more success looking under helmet cap or helmet hat than aviator. Cathy

      2. KharminJ | | #11

        Hmmm...

        If the pic is exactly the style you want, (looks tres chic, btw!) could you draft a pattern? If more searching isn't successful, that is...

        I would try making a cheap-n-dirty hat from one of the previous suggestions, with the point smoothed out to fit close to your head and the side pieces extended to make the cheeks - just flat stitched - then cut it apart along the "baseball" curves as in your sample ... and see if it makes flat(ish) pieces to pattern from.

        [Caution - I do a lot more 'thinking about' stuff, than doing it - this is all a mental exercise so far...]

        The final fabric you've got sounds luscious! Do send pics!

        Kharmin

        1. cycler1729 | | #12

          Great minds think alike!  That's what I was going to do using the swim cap pattern and a similar weight fabric but it will need to be bigger because that one uses a stretch fabric.  I don't want the cheeks to be too big, though.

          This is always what happens - I get a "brilliant" idea and then I've got no way to figure it out on my own!  But that's the thing that I love the most - the idea process.

          I also had a great idea for a quilted travel storage bag for small electronics and their cables - I'm still measuing that out - I'll be using a tapestry fabric that I bought online that really isn't right for anything else.

          I will definitely post pictures of both when it's done.

      3. Ralphetta | | #13

        The photo looks the same as the Vogue pattern number I gave you.

        1. cycler1729 | | #14

          Yes, thank you - I looked at the link but it just went to the site and the pattern wasn't viewable.

           

          1. Ralphetta | | #15

            Rats! I new from your description it was at least similar.

          2. cycler1729 | | #17

            I'll Google the pattern number and see if it's shown anywhere else.

            I appreciate your effort! 

          3. Ralphetta | | #19

            The Vogue one would require cutting off the part that covers the neck. But, I found a better one! See if you can find McCall's 8009, I think it would work better. It's a collection of quickie hats. It's the stiped one, and again, is much clearer on the back of the envelope,

          4. cycler1729 | | #20

            Thanks!

          5. cycler1729 | | #23

            The McCall's 8009 is the one!  That view is SO 60's!  (And so me!)   I love it!  So far I've seen it for sale on 2 sites but the prices are a little high - well, no, a LOT high - one wants $35.00 for it!

             

             

             

             

          6. Ralphetta | | #25

            I'm kind of busy right now but I will see if I can scan it tonight. There are only a few pieces and I think I can do it. If not I will copy it and mail it to you.Jeannine

          7. cycler1729 | | #26

            That is so thoughtful of you!  I appreciate it so much!

            Susan

          8. MaryinColorado | | #27

            Hooray!  So glad you found it!  Mary

          9. cycler1729 | | #28

            Yes, I'm very excited!

          10. MaryinColorado | | #29

            I am thinking it would be great to make one of those for myself to wear in my convertible when the weather gets cold.  It would be great on those trips to the mountains where it is cold up there but warm down here so I could just leave the top down and enjoy the scenery! 

            My daughter in law disapproves of my "German" car, we have talked of getting an old German metal helmet for me to wear to their house just to tease her.  I think the Aviator cap would be better.  (I gave up on a lifetime of buying American autos after my last one and the rotten dealership!)  I love my VW!!!  Mary

          11. cycler1729 | | #30

            I wanted this to wear on my bike because I need my ears to be covered but I wanted something that looked better than a headband.

            I'm also thinking of sewing one in leather.

          12. MaryinColorado | | #32

            I have several hats that I wear when the top is down, but always feel like there is something out there that is "just right" for when the weather is cooler.  I can't wait to hear how you like the pattern. 

            Will you add air vents so your head isn't too hot when the sun beats down while riding?  I like my ears covered too, but sometimes the top of my head gets too warm here in Colorado with the high altitude. 

            My son wears  custom made earplugs when riding his motorcycle.  You can still hear, but they block the wind and you can get them with earphone adaptors for an MP3 player.  He suggested I get them, but will have to wait till I go to Nevada I think. Mary

          13. cycler1729 | | #34

            I'm in NYC and I'm always freezing so that isn't an issue for me - keeping something that fits snugly is what is most important.

            For years I've sewn those pull on knit thingys - I don't know what to call it - that goes all the way down to the neck but my forehead always froze.

             

          14. MaryinColorado | | #35

            I went online but couldn't find the pattern on their website so will look at the store, hopefully tonight!  Mary

          15. cycler1729 | | #36

            It's very old - I saw it at http://www.vintagecat.com/otherpatterns.htm

            It's pattern 7 in the second set down.

          16. MaryinColorado | | #37

            Oh that is cute and very clever!  No wonder I can't find it on the McCalls' website!  I didn't realise it was a vintage pattern.  It should work out well for you on your bike!  Hope you will post photos when you get it done.  Mary

          17. cycler1729 | | #38

            I will definitely post a picture of the hat - not so sure about modeling it, though!

          18. MaryinColorado | | #39

            hey now, don't be shy!  We don't need fashion models here, we are all just "real people" who happen to have our own little niche of sewing savvy! 

          19. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #40

            It is nice to see garments on real bodies, or heads. I am a visual person, and a dress form just is not the same. Esp, if the body is not a standard shape. It makes it easier to see what is possible on lumpy me. If you need to disguise your features tho,(some women have to)cut and paste a cartoon or blur your features if needed. That would be ok. Cathy

          20. cycler1729 | | #41

            It's not that - I live alone and I've got no idea how to photograph my head and get a decent picture!  And the few friends that I've got who I'd trust to hold my camera are technophobes LOL.

             

          21. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #42

            Self portrait in a mirror? Camera and all. Or time lapse setting? That one is fun to play with. DD3 has a hoot playing with those, my budding photographer. Cathy

          22. cycler1729 | | #43

            I'll work on it.  There is a professional photographer who lives right across the hall but I'd feel weird asking him to take a picture of me modelling a hat!

            Susan

          23. Teaf5 | | #44

            You could always have a neighbor child or dog model it for you...or even a pumpkin.  I block my felted hats on a 1.5 qt. Revereware saucepan; with a washable marker, "she" can even have my features....have fun!

  4. Teaf5 | | #16

    If you search the accessory and costume patterns for "hood" or "fitted hood," you might come closer.  I don't know if it's still available, but Simplicity 4848 has a hood made from fleece, and several of the superhero costumes in all the books have fitted hoods of various types. 

    Baby buntings also have fitted hoods, and you just have to size them up a bit to fit adults.

    For hat and accessory drafting, I like to use large paper towels for samples; they're cheap, strong, and can be used to dust my sewing room afterward!

    1. cycler1729 | | #18

      There is a rain hat on Wild Things that is like a hood - I was looking at that, too.

      A couple of years ago I came across many packages of gridded sturdy tissue paper that someone had gotten rid of - in several different sizes of squares.  I use that for my accessory patterns - it's great for hats and pockets.  I use masking tape to attach several sheets if I need something bigger.

  5. cycler1729 | | #21

    I've never used leather as a trim on fabric before - does anyone know if it's better to cut it on the grain or on the bias?

    Thanks!

    1. ellaluna | | #31

      Leather really doesn't have a "grain" like fabric does. The stretch or give of each leather piece varies depending on where on the animal it came from and how it's been tanned or dyed since then. If you're just using it as trim, it won't matter too much, just try to cut it to maximize the grain. The visual grain I mean. ;)

      1. cycler1729 | | #33

        I've been sewing in leather since the 60s so I know pretty much how to use it in a whole garment but I wasn't sure if I was just using it as trim if it was going to curl if I didn't cut it right.

  6. sewelegant | | #22

    Look at the hooded hats on this page.  They too are similar to the aviator cap.

    http://thegreenpepper.com/packs.html

    1. cycler1729 | | #24

      Ralphetta mentioned McCall's 8009 - the upper right one is exactly it!

       

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