How To Alter a Bucket Hat Sewing Pattern To Get a Perfect Fit
One of the best things about sewing your own bucket hat is that you can customize it to fit your personal style and head shape.
Before making adjustments, I always recommend sewing your first hat exactly as written in the pattern instructions.
Once you’ve tried it on, you can decide whether you’d like a wider brim, a narrower brim, or a taller or shorter crown.
These simple alterations will help you create a bucket hat that fits and looks exactly the way you want.
How to Adjust the Brim Width
The easiest bucket hat alteration is changing the brim width.
To Make the Brim Wider
Trace around the outside edge of the brim pattern piece, extending it by the desired amount.
You can add:
¼ inch for a subtle change
½ inch for additional sun protection
1 inch or more for a dramatic sun hat look
NEVER MESS WITH THE INNER EDGE!
To Make the Brim Narrower
Simply trim away the desired amount from the outer edge of the brim pattern.
Important: Do not alter the inner edge of the brim. The inner edge must remain the same so it continues to fit the crown properly.
A Note About Interfacing
Keep in mind that wider brims tend to become floppier. You may want to use a heavier interfacing or add an extra layer of stabilizer to help the brim hold its shape.
How to Adjust the Crown Height
Head shapes vary considerably. Some people prefer a deeper hat that sits lower, while others like a shorter crown that sits higher on the head.
A simple slash-and-spread method makes it easy to adjust crown height.
To Increase Crown Height
Draw a line across the center of the side crown piece.
Cut along this line.
Spread the pattern pieces apart by the desired amount.
- Tape the cut pieces to a new piece of paper.
Keep the grainline straight.
Blend the side edges smoothly.
To Decrease Crown Height
Draw a line across the center of the side crown piece.
Cut along the line.
Overlap the pieces by the desired amount.
Keep the grainline straight.
- Tape pieces together.
Blend the side edges smoothly.
Even a ½-inch adjustment can noticeably change how the hat fits and feels.
Finding Your Perfect Fit
Everyone’s head shape is unique, which is why pattern adjustments are so valuable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with small changes until you find the fit you love.
Once you’ve made your custom adjustments, write them directly on your pattern pieces so you can recreate that perfect fit every time you sew a new bucket hat.
GET THE BUCKET HAT PATTERNS HERE:
Bucket Hat
This also comes in a Bucket Hat Bundle, including baby and child sizes
VISOR BUCKET HAT
OTHER TUTORIALS YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
How to Easily Choose the Right Interfacing for Any Sewing Project
How To Make A Sun Visor Hat
DIY Bucket Hat | Best Fitting | Simple Sewing Tutorial
Have fun sewing!
6 Comments
Jan, thank you for showing these alterations. My hat, however, is too big around my head, so the diameter of the crown and the inside of the side pieces and the inside of the brim are too wide. The hat sits right on the top of my head and the side pieces come down over my eyes. I followed a tutorial which said the pattern would fit my 22 inch head size. But the crown circumference turned out to be 24. Do you have any tips as to how I can adjust the crown piece and then make the side pieces and brim fit in the way you suggested above? I appreciate any thought you have!
Hi Mary,
First, I would check and make sure the seam allowance alocated in the pattern, was what you used. That is quite a big difference in measurement.
You will need to reduce the crown piece down 1 inch, and you’ll need to reduce the length of the side panel piece by the same amount. Depending on the design of the side panel piece, you could just take that amount off 1/2 inch on both the side panel side seams or by cutting the pattern in half and reducing by 1 inch. The brim length will also have to be altered. If I were you, I’d make those adjustmenst and make a unlined hat with muslin fabric to make sure it fits correctly.
Let me know how it goes.
You can email me at jannihowell@youmakeitsimple.com where we can chat with more details.
Thanks, Jan!
You are so welcome.
How do you make the brim smaller ie so that it’s not so wide and floppy .i want a straighter looking hat
I think you take it in by marking the distance (amount you want to change it by)with a pen then draw a line from the corner of the inner circle to the mark at the bottom edge and cut if off
But not sure
Hi Emma, You are correct. Just make sure you dont’ alter the size of the upper portion of the brim that attatches to the side panel. I hope that makes sense.