SUNBONNET x PURL SOHO
Finding sun hats for babies can be a challenge. You can either get blue bucket hats with whales on them or pink eyelet floppy hats with ruffles everywhere, and there's virtually no in between. Not being a fan of either choices, I went looking for any other type of hat that would protect miss Mars during trips to the beach or afternoons at the park.
I stumbled upon the Sunbonnet by Purl Soho and it checked all of the boxes--simple construction, clean look, ample visor, gender neutral (or at least, non-frilly), multiple sizes, and the icing on the cake: generously provided by Purl Soho for free. And I'm so loving this bonnet trend that's been happening for the past couple years. There's something about little baby faces and squishy baby cheeks in a bonnet that is utter sweetness.There was no reason not to try it!
The Sunbonnet comes in five sizes which is awesome for babies that grow leaps and bounds in the blink of an eye. A lot of free patterns often come in just one size (usually the size of the designer's child for whom it was created), so I'm really excited that I can make more of these as Mars grows. Also, since its just a little hat, its an awesome scrap buster. With a separate lining, a half yard yielded this yellow bonnet and a newborn Geranium blouse I made last summer before Mars was born.
The tie closure is darling and is made so easily using a bias tape maker. You can totally press those skinny ties by hand, but you're going to want some of these gadgets. It makes bias tape and ties like these a snap! I seriously love them.
This hat really is a quick sew and the construction is fairly simple, however precision will help make this a successful project. Making sure to pin (or use these fab wonder clips) will guarantee that everything lines up as it should along those curved seams.
Mars has spent quite a few sunny days out in her two Sunbonnets and they've been great. She can't pull them off and they provide just the right amount of shade for her sensitive blue eyes. And another bonus of this simple bonnet? They're perfect for baby wearing! Normal sun hats fall off or get knocked askew when the baby turns their head and the brim hits the caretaker, but this sunbonnet is beautifully slim and stays put no matter how much she turns her head to take in her surroundings. And because the visor extends only to the front (rather than to the sides and back too), Its super comfortable for baby to lay her head on her caretaker and take a nap, still shaded. I love that when I put it on her I don't have to spend any more time fiddling with it and we can enjoy our activities.
This bonnet would also transition nicely into cooler weather as well. I already have plans to make a couple flannel lined bonnets for the fall. I plan on simply omitting the visor, and instead of adding two ties, attaching a bias binding around the front of the bonnet, extending the bias beyond the hat to create new ties. I also have some leftover silk dupioni from making a ring sling that I think would be just gorgeous as a special holiday bonnet.
I finished the sunbonnet with one of my labels from Dutch Label Shop. If you're looking for professional, soft labels for your makes, they're your guys. They have tons of options ranging from basic woven labels (like the ones I chose) to fully custom ones with your unique graphics, colors, and sizes. They also have an option to make your woven tags iron-ons, and care labels so your projects will always be laundered correctly, preserving your hard work! I am so pleased with my tags and can't wait to order more.
What do you think of the bonnet style? Cute or not your thing?
