Getting ready for the Christening

The invitations have been sent out, and we are expecting around 50 people to come along. 80 wraps (lamb, chicken and falafel), baklava and fresh fruit are coming from Maroush, and Kit’s Grandma Faye has promised a big pot of curried goat, and rice.

Kit tried on the Christening robe and, thankfully, it fits. I had been worried that Kit at four months might be too big for the “up to nine months” sizing. I may need to tighten the elastic in the sleeves at the last minute, but so far, so good. Ted said his brother looked like a ghost, and tried to get into it too. My daughter was impressed with the modern-traditional robe, but asked for a little matching hat.  Unlike Ted who had an over-supply of hair at his Christening,  Kit has, well, none that you would notice.  And I did have a spare piece of rice-printed cotton left over. In fact I often have a little fabric left over and always think about making a matching hat (but somehow never do).

I looked for a pattern for a little sailor-type hat on the internet, but could not find anything suitable. Therefore I made a simple pattern that I thought would work, and here is the toile, made up in Ikea curtain linen (unlined). It is a long time since I made tailored hats, but it was rather satisfying to create this miniature garment. Baby’s head is 17″ circumference, whereas the toile measures 18″ so I will make it a tiny bit smaller in the final version. I also intend to line it.

Sailor’s hat instructions

1. Measure the circumference of the head
2. 18″ divided by 6 = 3″ (obviously in my example this is for a baby, but the same principles apply to any sized head)
3. create a pattern that is 3″ at base, goes up two inches with a very slight narrowing, then narrows to a point. Add seam allowances to all edges. Cut 6 pieces of fabric, and a further 6 of lining
4. create a band that is 2″ deep and 18″ long, and add seam allowances on all edges. Cut 2 pieces of fabric

   

5. Stitch two hat segments together, then add a third one creating a nice point at the top. Press each seam open carefully, cutting in a notch at the 2″ point.
6. pin the two halves (3 segments) right side together and sew in a nice curved seam stitching across the points. Press open seam, using the end of your ironing board, a sleeve board or point presser
7. make the lining in the same way and pin it to the hat, wrong sides together, matching all the six seams
8. Now stitch the two brims together along one long edge, then open out and stitch together across the short ends to make a tube, press. Turn out so that the wrong sides are together
9. pin the inside layer of the brim (unstitched long edge) to the hat and machine it to the hat and lining.
10. turn the seam allowances up on the  outside of the hat (beyond the seam) and bring down the folded-over edge of the brim to cover it.
11. slip stitch the edge of the brim to the lining at the stitching. (Gosh, it is hard to write instructions, isn’t it?)

I will post photos of the Christening. I think the outfit needs a bit of spray starch and a good press. Otherwise I am done.