Ladies, Kindly Remove Your Hats

It's been decades since movie theaters asked ladies to remove their hats. Hats are lovely and add a special touch to an ensemble.

Hats have been worn since the time of the ancient Egyptians. For hundreds of years, a modest woman would cover her head. However, over the decades, the wearing of hats has diminished. There are still many religious groups whose female members wear head coverings. The come-as-you-are to church philosophy is not embraced by all and ladies continue to wear "church clothes" which includes a hat. Members of royalty also wear hats in public. Hats are seemingly mandatory at horse races such as the Kentucky Derby and Steeplechase.

Princess Diana's turban from the 1980s.

Some of the most extravagant hats are from the Edwardian era. Women's hats became a statement of wealth and influence in the highly structured society of that time. Fortunes were paid for exotic dyed feathered hats. For a time entire stuffed birds were used to adorn hats.

Macy's ad, 1909

                                                        ca. 1910 photos

The Roaring Twenties arrived and with it short hair. Ladies needed a hat which would cover their head and look well with a bobbed cut.

Catalog ads for 1920s hats.

By the 1930s and 1940s, hats had moved on from the cloche and various styles flourished.

Spring 1942: Lilly Dache hat is on the left; Hattie Carnegie hat is on the right.

Schiaparelli hats, ca. 1940s

John Frederics Silk & Straw

Chanel, 1930

Lilly Dache Headpieces

           

Lilly Dache

Stetsons for her, ca. 1940s.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, hats became even more diverse. Wide brims and pillboxes

 were popular.  Smaller hats with netting continued to be worn.

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Dior, 1954

Givenchy

The 1960s!

                                                  

Here are some examples of avant garde head-wear     

Alexander McQueen

Armani, 2014

Issey Miyake

Unknown

The Pattern Patter team offers a wide variety of hat patterns for children and adults. Here is just a small sampling. Visit our team members' shops to see more lovely hat patterns, ranging from vintage to modern to retro.  The shop names are underneath the collages - just click on the name for more information about a specific hat pattern.

In addition, the Pattern Patter Team has a number of boards on Pinterest. Please follow us - members add patterns  and pictures daily. 

Row #1 ---CloesCloset; Redcurlzs; VintageNeedleFinds
Row #2 ---VogueVixens; FloradoraPresents; ViennasGrace
Row #3 ---Stitchandzip; SoSewSome; PengyPatterns

Row #1 --- kinseysue;  sandritocat;  TabbysVintageShop
Row #2 --- PurplePlaidPenguin;  ThePatternSource; CherryCorners

Here's a handy reference chart of hat styles.

Stuck On Scallops

One of my favorite sewing touches is scallops!  Pretty on a hem, as trim, on a neckline, on kids or grown-ups.. this sweet touch is never out of style.  It can make something simple look really high-class!  Let's look at some patterns, shall we? :)

Madame Weigel's 3284 via the Vintage Pattern Wiki

This is one of the earliest patterns I could find with scallop detail!  This cute child's coat has scallop trim on the cuffs and collar.  This little coat would still look darling on a child today.

McCall 3957 via Vintage Pattern Wiki

This early McCall "waist" blouse features a simple two-scallop button closure, with or without collar.

Butterick 3067 via the Vintage Pattern Wiki

Scallops continued to be a popular motif into the 1920s as seen here in this beautiful Butterick pattern.  The closure imitates the interesting design at the waist.

Butterick 3284 via the Vintage Pattern Wiki

Here scallops are used creatively at the waistline seam as well as on the collar. A flattering look!

Simplicity 2000 via the Vintage Pattern Wiki

Another interesting design seen here.. check out the cuffs!

Now let's look at some pretty scallop-featuring patterns from the Pattern Patter Team!

McCall 6994

I love the scalloped asymmetrical closure on this awesome dress!  From  DRC Rose Patterns.

The American Weekly, 3808

This one has a neato detachable capelet with a scalloped edge.. how cool is that? :)  From Erika With A K.

Spaeda S-328

This cool dress features double buttons in each scallop.  Designer pattern from Kinsey Sue.

Mail Order 698

Scallops on the edge of an apron are always in fashion!  Not to mention, an easy way to dress up a simple design.  From Sandritocat.

Simplicity 2796

Scallops all over on this lovely 1940s number from Fancywork.  Figure flattering dart fitting, too.

Mail Order 1750

Don't leave out the kiddos!  Even the little bloomers have scallop detail.  So cute from Pengy Patterns.

Simplicity 6249

Not just for day clothes, put them on your pajamas and housecoat, too. :)  Rose's Pattern Treasury.

Simplicity 5928

Or matching dresses for girl and doll from Daisy Kingdom?  Pitter Pattern Place.

Advance 2392

Grey Dog Vintage has this unusual pattern with criss-cross or asymmetrical scalloped neckline.

Simplicity 3875

A contrasting scallop looks like a million bucks!  From Sydcam 123.

Simplicity 8172

Happy I Found It has this cute 1960s mini-dress... add a little spark to such a simple dress.

Simplicity 3499

A fascinating button-on bolero with scalloped hem!  Really unique and beautiful.  Pretty Pattern Shop.

Butterick 3212 Vintage Pattern Wiki

I just had to end with this cute little hat!  TOO adorable!

I hope you enjoyed this little entry.

Here's a Tutorial on sewing scallops if you should like to do them yourself, or need a little refresher.

Here's more patterns featuring scallops from the Pattern Patter Team!

Happy sewing!