Zipper Pockets in a HAT? You Bet!

We are continually on the go and it seems as though we have more gadgets and items that need to go with us, and never enough pockets for everything. Well, I've come up with a Reversable HAT that has two hidden, zipper pockets that will help free up your hands and stow items that you don't want anyone to know about!

On the top you have one pocket, and around the band is another pocket for larger items.

Some items that may come in handy to take with you? Hand warmers, earphones, tissues, extra cash, house key, lipstick, chapstick, hand wipes, gum, cough drops, breath mints and the list just keeps going! The pocket the circles the band of the hat is large enough for a pair of thin weight gloves or mittens! What a great storage place when your not wearing them!

You can wear it with the zippers on the outside, (maybe add a cute zipper pull).

Wear it with the zippers on the inside so no one knows you have hidden pockets. Turn the band up or leave the band down for a little more coverage.

Interested? Just follow along and I'll show your how to make one for yourself!

Step 1: Basic Sewing Supply List

Supplies Needes:

Fleece- For the band of the hat you will need 9 1/2" high x 23" size rectangle.

For the crown of the hat you will need eight (8) 6" x 5.5" triagle pieces. Four for outside and four lining.

Note: When you buy your fleece you will buy a 9 1/2" high piece, but fleece runs about 72" wide so you

will have leftovers for the next hat or project. The same with the 6" high piece, you will have extra.

Two Zippers- one 4-6 inches long and one 10 -12 inches long.

Scissors

Pins

Tape Measure

Sewing Machine

Pressing Iron (not shown)

Step 2: Start With the Hat Band

First you will be cutting out the hat band out of your choosen fleece. The band measures 9 1/2" high and 23" long. We will eventually fold this band in half giving you a actual band of about 4 3/4" wide.

You need to cut the band so the long part, 23" length, runs with the "stretch" of the fleece, so it has a little "give" when fitting around your head.

Step 3: Cutting Four Crown Pieces

To make the crown pattern you will need to cut a triangle 6'' wide across the bottom and 5.5'' high at the point, see the photos for reference. Your triangle should be slightly rounded on all sides.

You will need four pieces for the outer layer and four pieces for the inner layer or lining.

Make sure you cut the bottom of the triangel out along the stretch of the fleece. See photos.

Step 4: Let's Sew!

Starting with the four lining pieces- sew two pieces together down the side and then sew the next two pieces together in the same manner. See photo 1.

Next put the two sewn "sets" together, right sides facing, and sew the entire arc, see photo 2 for reference.

When done sewing you will have a lining for the crown of the hat, see photo 3. Lay the lining aside and repete for the outer layer.

NOTE-- the out side layer of fleece is done the exact same way EXCEPT--on one of the sides you will need to baste stitch, use longer stitches, instead of your regular stitch length, this will allow for the zipper later.

Step 5: Zipper Number 1

The side of the hat that you previously basted will now need pressed open.

Taking the smaller zipper place upside down on the inside of the crown, running the zipper along the basted seam. Pin in place when sewn the zipper will be opened and revealed in the seam on the outside of the hat.

Run your zipper from about 1" down from the center to about 2'' from the bottom, see photos. If the zipper is too long it can be cut after sewn (photo 5 & 6). After you pin in place sew on the machine with the zipper foot.

NOTE----There is a wonderful tutorial on sewing in zippers at-- http://mellysews.com/2013/05/how-to-sew-a-zipper.h... I encourage you to check out this site as it is explained in detail along with photo examples.

Step 6: Ta-Da a Zipper!

After the zipper is sewn in place, turn to the outside and carefully, with a zipper ripper, open the seam with the basting stitches, revealing the zipper.

Step 7: Sewing and Adding the Hat Band

Photo 1-- Sew the hat band, right sides together, along the short side, 9 1/2", from top to bottom making a tube of sorts.

Photo 2 -- Pin the hat band to the crown piece (one with the zipper in), right sides together. Pin the entire way around the crown.

Photo 3 --Shows the band pinned to the crown. Do not double the band yet.

Step 8: Second Zipper Placement

After you have pinned the band to the hat, place the 10"-12" zipper along this edge and mark the length of the zipper with a different colored pin. Shown in photo 2 and 3.

When sewing use a regular stitch around the hat UNTIL you get to the colored pin. Change to a basting stitch and sew between the colored pins, this is where the zipper will be placed.

Step 9: Sewing the Second Zipper

As before press open the seam where you have basted between the colored pins.

Now once again place the zipper upside down on the wrong side of the seam between the colored pins.

Sew zipper in place. This is a little tricky, go slow and refer back to tutorial on --http://mellysews.com/2013/05/how-to-sew-a-zipper.h... if needed.

Step 10: The Hard Part Is OVER!

Photos 1 -- after sewing turn to the right side and open basted seam with zipper ripper as before, revealing the zipper.

We will now add the inner lining.

Photo 2- Open the zipper opening, we will be turning the hat through this opening after we sew.

Photo 3 and 4-- pin the lining crown piece to the bottom the band, right side to right side and sew the entire way around.

Photo 5-- After sewn turn right side out throught the zipper opening. You now have a oblong pill shaped form.

Step 11: Finishing Steps!

Turn your hat up into itself, matching the seam lines between the crown and the band and pin to hold in place.

Pin the bottom of the band together, photo 1, sew around, photo 2 & 3.

Lastly, right above the band seam you will need to sew around the hat, basically seperating the band pocket and the crown pocket.

Step 12: DONE!

You now have a unique hat like no other!

On the top you have one pocket, and around the band is another pocket for larger items.

Some items that may come in handy to take with you?

Hand warmers, earphones, tissues, extra cash, house key, lipstick, chapstick, hand wipes, gum, cough drops, breath mints and the list just keeps going!

The pocket the circles the band of the hat is large enough for a pair of thin weight gloves or mittens! What a great storage place when your not wearing them!

You can wear it with the zippers on the outside, (maybe add a cute zipper pull).

Wear it with the zippers on the inside so no one knows you have hidden pockets.

Turn the band up or leave the band down for a little more coverage.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial and maybe give it a try yourself!

If you like it let me know & vote for me in the zipper contest!!

Step 13: