"The Hummingbird" Classic scrub hat with elastic


This is a classic style of scrub hat. It has elastic in the back which makes it quick and easy to put on. It is fairly form fitting but not tight. If you have medium or medium/long hair you can still fit a ponytail in the back of this hat. I have a very medium size head and this feels just right for me. I took a tape measure and put it around my head just above my eyebrows, over the tops of my ears and around the back of my head. The measurement was 22 inches. If your head is a similar circumference then this hat should fit you too. At the end of the tutorial I will tell you how to adjust the fit if it doesn't feel perfect when you try it on. I would say this hat is fairly easy to make if you have some sewing experience.



Supplies needed for "The Hummingbird" classic scrub hat with elastic:
printer to print pattern out
tape to tape pattern sheets together
paper scissors to cut pattern out
cutting mat and rotary cutter for fabric or fabric scissors
sewing machine
thread
1/2 yard of fabric. (Cotton fabric is my favorite)
ruler to measure elastic
Five inches of 1/2" elastic (I like to use an elastic that is fairly thick because it is stronger)
some sort of fabric marking tool. (I use a water soluble fabric marking pen)
pins

Here are some more views of the classic scrub hat with elastic. Notice the front of the hat looks like it has a separate strip of fabric sewn on for the brim. Actually is is just folded up an sewn down. I think this is a nice added touch. It is one extra step but I think it improves the overall look of the hat. If you look closely at the fabric I used for this hat you will see there are hummingbirds on it. That is how I chose the name for this hat.

 Rear view: The middle section which is gathered is separate from the band. This allows for the brim to get flipped up while leaving the back unflipped. The gathered section would be too bulky if flipped up like the rest.


Although there are two small openings at the back which keep the middle section from flipping up when you create the brim they do not show. They get hidden in the gathers. (These small openings have finished edges)
Tutorial:

Here are step by step directions that should help you to sew your own classic scrub hat with elastic. This hat is composed of two pieces. The long narrow piece is what I refer to as the "front". The large circular piece is what I refer to as the "top".

First download the pattern and print it off. Tape the pages together as directed on the pattern pages.
Cut the pattern out on the solid lines.


Step 1: Place pattern pieces onto fabric pieces as directed and cut out.
Step 2: Follow directions as on "top" pattern piece by folding edge over 1/4" and pressing with an iron.
Step 3: Double fold this over another 1/4" and press again with an iron.
Step 4: Now stitch these folds down stitching close to the edge (seen in picture below)
Step 5: Fold the bottom edge of the "Front piece B" up 1/4" and press with an iron. Now double fold this up another 3/4" and press. Do not sew this down at this time. Next unfold again. Now it is time to make  lines where you want to anchor down the elastic.  Make a line 3 1/2" in from the Left hand edge and 3 1/2" in from the Right hand edge of  "Front  piece B".  (I use a fabric marking pen that erases with water).




Step 6.  Do steps 6 and 7 on one side only for now. Place elastic on fabric overlapping the line a little. As you can see I chose to do it on the Left side.

Step 7. Fold back up encasing the elastic. Be careful not to let the elastic move as you do this. Now put a pin in to hold the elastic in place or hold on tight making sure it doesn't shift as position it into your sewing machine.
Using a zig zag stitch sew at the marked line as seen above.

Step 8: Place the front and the top piece together. THE RIGHT SIDES OF THE FABRIC NEED TO BE FACING EACH OTHER. (wrong side facing you) The front piece should be on top. Place several pins to hold in place. You may need to pull on the front piece a little to ease it around the circular shape of the top piece. The fabric has a little give and stretch to it so this is not difficult to do.  Now stitch the two pieces together using a straight stitch and a 1/4" seam allowance. Go back now and zig zag stitch the edge to prevent fraying. (Or if you are lucky enough to have a serger just serge the two pieces together)






Step 9: Repeat steps 6 and 7 but on the other side.  (note I do not have a picture of this). At this point the bottom edge of "Front piece B" is connected by the elastic. The "tail" of "Top piece A" is still flapping loose.

Step 10: Sew all the way around the bottom edge of the hat close to the edge.

Step 11: Now it is time to create the brim. Flip the bottom edge up towards the front of the hat. I like to give it a press with the iron at this point. Now top stitch down in place close to the edge.
 Step 12:  Time to work on the bottom edge of "Top piece A" First iron this edge up 1/4". Then fold up another 3/4" and iron again. (This is exactly how you ironed the bottom edge of  "Front piece B" in step 5) Time to sew the little flap at the bottom of "Top piece A" with the elastic encased in it. You really need to pull on the elastic to stretch in out so that you can get it in the machine to sew it.

 Note: When I sewed this hat I did step 12 before I did step 11. It does work but you have to work the elastic a little to flip it because it is already encased in the middle portion. I realized later it would make more sense to do it in the order I described.

Now you are finished. Try on the hat. How does it feel? If it feels a little bit loose go to one of the openings at the back, pull on the elastic. Pinch it together until it feels like a good fit. Remove hat while keeping your fingers pinched on the elastic. Look how much elastic is in your pinched fingers. Put the elastic in the sewing machine and sew it in a little. Try it on again. Hopefully you have achieved the perfect fit.  Remember, you do not want it to fit too tight. I have made this mistake a couple of times and I just get headaches from wearing a hat that is too tight.


56 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I'm sorry to ask this question, but I'm a bit of a novice at sewing :-) I'm just wondering how the pieces are supposed to go together in step 8, I have two pieces of fabric and for the life of me can't figure out how they are supposed to sit to be pinned in place.
    Thanks

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    1. I hope I can explain this so you can understand. Take the piece that is shaped like a mushroom. Place it in front of you like a mushroom growing up out of the ground with the RIGHT SIDE OF THE FABRIC FACING UP TOWARDS YOU. I like to put a small crease right in the middle at the very top of the mushroom. Now take the other piece. Fold it in half and put a little crease right in the middle. This piece must be facing down. The ride sides of the fabrics will be facing each other. The top edge of the front piece is slightly curved. This is the edge that gets sewn to the round mushroom shape. Line up your middle creases. Place your first pin holding these middle points together. Now you can work your way around and pin the rest. Be strategic with pin placement. You want to think about placing them with the pinheads facing you as you sew so that they are easy to pull out as you go.

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    2. Great, thanks for that, I get it now :-)

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  2. I really appreciate your sharing these 3 different patterns. Your patterns are easy and your step by step intructions are great. I am a beginner with some knowledge from helping my mom, pin, cut out and trace patterns. These were pretty easy for my very 1st sewing project. Thank you very much, there aren't too many people that are willing to offer free patterns with instructions. I had a lot of fun making these.

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  4. Thank you for making these patterns available. You are very generous!

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  5. Gloria, thank your for sharing your three patterns with us sewers. I am looking forward to making some for my friend.

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    1. Your welcome. If you have questions along the way feel free to contact me.

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  6. wow! we bought a pattern off an Etsy site, and the instructions were quite literally crap. so....the cap turned out very poorly. You are very generous to share your patterns and share your tutorial. kudos to you!

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  7. Can you make this elastic back adjustable? My daughter likes hers to have a toggle to adjust how tight she wants hers. Could you do one with the adjustable elastic back? Thank You!!

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    1. Yes, I have made some with toggles before. I used quite a thin cording. I think that cording similar to what you would find on a hoodie jacket would feel better. Perhaps elastic would even work with a toggle. Measure the back of her head between her ears. You want to make the attachment points of the cording just behind her ears. If attached at a point that is touching the ears it feels uncomfortable. If you attach too close together it seems impossible to cinch it up enough to feel right. It is surprising how very small details can make a big difference and affect the comfort of the hat. I like to sew two button holes at the back. Just through one layer of fabric On the part that gets folded under. Put the button holes fairly close to the centre at the back. Make sure you attach the cording first, then sew the edge of the brim down after you position the cording in place, and through the button holes. Be careful not to catch the cording in your seam as you sew the hem of the brim. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

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  8. Could you pretty please help me with the step about the brim?? I got the elastic part figured out, but I can't get the brim to sit correctly without the seam showing from sewing around the original 3/4" from step 10. How big is the brim supposed to be? How many layers will there end up being? Is the elastic casing included in this step? Thanks in advance!

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  9. Try to think of it this way. You fold it towards the inside of the hat twice. The first fold you make is about 1/4". This first fold is so you hide the raw edge. The second fold is about 3/4". (Also toward the inside of the hat) sew along the folded edge. At this point you have the inside of the hat facing you as you are sewing this seam.The last fold is flipping it out towards the outside of the hat. (Like rolling up the edge of your sleeve or jeans) Then you sew it down along the top edge to give it a nice neat look. When you are making this seam The right side of the hat should be facing you. You want to sew it neatly along the edge. The width of the brim is 3/4". The edge will be three layers of fabric.



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  10. Hi Gloria,

    I just made the Hummingbird and Dragonfly caps last night and love them! My colleagues at work loved them too and want some for themselves! I appreciated your generosity in sharing all the detailed instructions and patterns to us. You are a kind soul ! God Bless :) Kim

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  11. Thank-you for your comment. Glad the patterns and instructions worked out for you! I have had many comments from patients that enjoy seeing staff wearing hats with interesting or pretty fabric. I just heard the latest stats show no increased risk of infection from staff wearing cloth hats compared with disposable hats. That is good news for those who like cloth hats! At our hospital we still wear a disposable hat on top of our cloth hats when we scrub. Enjoy making hats. You can never have too many!

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  12. THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for sharing your patterns and the really nice styles. I am not a nurse, but a friend of a woman who is so sick in the hospital. Even so she is concerned about her hair showing and wanted something to help uplift her spirits and cover her head as well. Your styles do the job! I intend to make her two (at least) and all the while will be thanking you for sharing!

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  13. Hello I am having trouble with part of step 9. I am at a loss from there...i cant figure how to sew the elastic from there..i have a friend who just made it thru cancer treatment and this hat will be perfect for her...thanks...

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  14. I think I just figured it out...i sewed the elastic to the wrong piece..i will know try and resew and then the instructions make since..sorry...had a brain fart...

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  15. I wish you could do full pictures of the steps. Looking at just a part of the pattern is hard to figure out. I learn by pictures. Comprehending is not my strong suit. Mw

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    1. https://youtu.be/c0MTYtkYm2s

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    2. I LOVE YOUR VIDEO! Making caps for respiratory therapists who aren't being given PPE and trying to accommodate long hair and long days, this cap is perfect but I couldnt envision it in process. Thank you!

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  16. Hi, thank you for the pattern, very helpful in times like this. I am struggling with step 9 and how it became connected on the elastic side after only being stitched on 1 side. On step 8, does piece A and B get stitched on all sides or just the circular side? Thank you in advance for your help.

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  17. I am a retired nurse making masks and scrub hats for my medical community. I am having problems with the back of the hat where the top piece makes a 45degree turn. Please help me with further instructions or pictures. Thank you!

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  18. Is there any way you could go a youtube video of this? I tried several times and just don't understand your instructions. I am trying to make these for my coworkers for the covid 19 outbreak. They do not have hats for my PACU department.

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  19. Thank you so much for this! I’ve been making lots of hats for my fellow ICU nurses out here in NJ!

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  20. Here is a link to a video of a nurse making the hat.
    https://youtu.be/c0MTYtkYm2s

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  21. This video is not available any longer and I am totally unclear on Step 2
    Using the "top" piece. What edge I am folding over? The bottom straight edge? The two side straight edges with the notches? The entire round edge? Could someone please clarify?

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    1. I think the step 2 question is this: on page 2 of the pattern, the two short sides of the rectangle - hope that helps!

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  22. do you happen to have kid size pattern?

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    1. maybe try this? if this measures 22" measure the child's head and figure out the % - say his is 16" - take 16/22 which is 73% and print the original pattern, put on a scanner and reduce to 73%?

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    2. Unknown - That is all kinds of brilliant!

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  23. I am at step 10 and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do do you fold up the bottom for front piece B like a 1/4 in it doesn’t say

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  24. Thank you for the pattern. I found it easy to understand and construct- we just had to make them a little smaller to fit snuggly. I am making them for a local dental office to wear whenever they go back to work.

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  25. Thank you so much for the pattern. I have made close to 30 now for the local hospital. I did slightly change the order of the steps - made it easier for me since I am making in bulk. In case it helps someone else: I do steps 1-7 then jump to step 10 - 12. leaving a 1" gap in step 10 where the mark is to go back and attach the other side of the elastic. Then I do steps 8 + 9. Then I attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic and pull through the top piece flap and up to the gap I left in step 10. I pin it in place an stitch down as in step 7. Then I top stitch my gap closed. It's an extra step but it means I don't have to do all that stretching to sew the brim at the end. Not quite as neat as your method, but I'm leaning towards quantity instead of quality - at least until the hospital is able to procure more disposable scrub caps.

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  26. do you have a pattern i can print from my computer?


    thank you

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  27. I am sorry to be so dumb, but where are the patterns to print out.

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    1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B772OSgWmAFIYWhxTDUwak1iN2M/edit

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  28. I can't find this pattern either. I'm a dental hygienist and we'll be using scrub caps from now on. I just love this design. Please help!!! I can't find where to print this pattern!!! Thank you for your help!!

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  29. The download is right next to the first picture on this page of the hat already made. Hope this helps everyone.

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  30. I need printout of the instructions and diagram if you could please or a video of you making this. I am having problems after folding the hem

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  31. Medfit delivers the Medical Scrubs in Pakistan with high quality uniforms by taking care of their ease and comfort. For more info call 03354633348.
    Medical Scrubs Pakistan

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  33. Please send me the hummingbird cap pattern. Thank you

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  34. Please send the hummingbird cap pattern. Thanks

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  35. please send me the bouffant and hummingbird patterns. Thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Buy the best Doctors Scrubs. Medfit provides the best gents scrubs all over in Pakistan.
    Get Scrubs For Doctors from here.



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  37. Thank you so much for sharing your hummingbird hat pattern. This scrub hat is very easy to sew, requires little fabric, and is so comfortable. It keeps my hair contained. I love this hat! Thank you!

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  38. Thank you for offering the pattern and instructions for free. I’m working on a pattern for a thyroid shield cover (for those of us that use c-arms in surgery and have shared lead.. think gross sweat from who knows how many people ahead of you). After searching forever for a pattern I came up empty and decided to make my own and share it. Did you just scan a traced pattern into pdf form? I just don’t know how to keep the size from changing.

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  39. possible to get the free pattern for elastic back?

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  40. So are there 3 pieces of fabric? I know this was a decade ago, but I don’t understand how the pieces line up together. I was doing ok with your mushroom analogy and then I’m clueless as to the orientation of the other piece???? Which piece of fabric makes up the brim? Where does the “stalk” of the mushroom end up?

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