Sewn: Polka Dot Rain Hat (inspired by Cath Kidston)

I am a big fan of Cath Kidston's designs and I've actually been eyeing the Cath Kidston Spot Rain Hat for several months, always 'umm-ing' and 'ah-ing' over whether I really should buy the hat. Firstly, I already have many hats. Secondly, I have a hat pattern in my pattern stash which I thrifted a while ago and I knew I could make a similar one if I had the right fabric. Then, the day came when I found a PVC polka dot fabric remnant in the remnant bin in Spotlight. It was just enough to make one hat! I can't even remember the cost. I think it was probably less than $2! Lucky~

Sewing pattern circa 1989

Work in progress

Close-up of stitches. I had fun making the exterior stitches. No, that was not sarcasm.

Pattern: Simplicity 9135 (Hat No. 2)
Fabric: Polka dot PVC and royal blue cotton



The Simplicity 9135 hat pattern is really quite easy to sew. But unfortunately, it's a tad too big for my head. I didn't bother to alter the pattern to make it smaller for this project. I think I can make do with a big hat - for now. Perhaps I will resize the pattern when I make another hat with the same pattern... 

On a similar note, the weather here in Sydney has been bizarre. It's the middle of summer but there's no clear blue skies or the warm sunshine. The sky has mostly been crowded with dark heavy clouds that seem like they would burst into tears any moment. 


But honestly, I don't really care because I spend most of my days hiding away from the world in a clinic for my uni placement. Also, if I do go out on the weekends, I have a rain hat to chase those grey clouds away. 


xx.


Image credits: PuglyPixels, Pretty Poodle, ASOS

Sewn: Cath Kidston Bag from Sew! Cath Kidston

A while ago, I wrote a review on the Sew! Cath Kidston book. The book came with the materials to make this floral Cath Kidston bag! Yes, it came with the fabric, the buttons and even the Cath Kidston label. (Sewing machine not included, haha)

So, here's my very own Cath Kidston bag! It's a really easy project that was completed within 2 days. Sewing it was such a breeze and a joy, such that I feel like making a few more with different fabric prints for my friends!

Where I added the interface

Work in progress

Work in progress, with pocket completed

I didn't exactly follow the original 'recipe' for the bag. I added some interface at the bottom of the bag because I wanted the bag to have a more defined structure. I think some interface at the bottom (rather than for the entire bag) is adequate, because erm, I don't want to make a box out of it! I also added a pink lining, complete with a pocket! Both the interface and the pink cotton fabric for the lining of the bag are additional things that I bought to make the bag because I really wanted this bag to be perfect. And... I think it's ALMOST perfect.

YUM.

The blue markings at the sides of the label are from my fabric pencil. I wanted to make sure that the label is right at the centre!

Why ALMOST? Well, I lost the buttons that were given to make the bag. I'm pretty sure it's somewhere in my pig sty (aka my bedroom), but I thought I should just forget it for now and simply buy similar ones to complete the bag. I'm sure the buttons will resurface sooner or later, and I will then be able to use them to make another of this bag! 

Look! Pockets!

Matching lining

But the buttons aren't the big issue here. What I am not fond of is the strap. The strap is of a weird length. It's not short enough to make the bag a handbag, yet not long enough for the bag to be worn as a sling bag. So, this Cath Kidston bag rests awkwardly in the middle of my torso, just slightly above my hip when I put the strap over my shoulder. To think that I was initially worried that I might have to shorten the strap because of my petite frame! Now I wonder how the bag would look when it's worn by taller people! What a shame for an almost perfect bag. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it. I guess I'll just have to make it work out somehow with a good outfit! ^_^