As you may have heard, Rae‘s lovely new line for Cloud 9 Fabrics, Lotus Pond, is now available in all its glory!
The prints and colors are so happy and summery, and I had (and still have!) so many ideas for what to make. But in the end I couldn’t get the bucket hats out of my head. I mean, picture a kid down by the pond on a summer day, catching butterflies and snails and frogs, and try to tell me you don’t see a bucket hat on that kid’s head. Right? Anyway, there was that, and the fact that both of my kids happened to need new summer hats. So there you go.
The weight and feel of this fabric is perfect, and Cloud 9 prints on organic cotton which makes me feel all happy inside. I chose two of the larger scale prints, which I like for hats because you don’t have to worry about anything matching up at the side seams or the print looking straight along the curved brim. And I love those blues together.
There are some fabulous boy-friendly prints in this line. I went with Lily Pond for Oscar.
And Lila’s is Meadow Blossoms in Blue.
The pattern comes from Liesl Gibson’s Little Things to Sew book, but it’s also available as a free download on the Oliver + S website. I’ve made it year after year (Lila’s hat from two years ago still fits, but a new one was in order) – it’s quick and easy and fits well. I widened the brim on Lila’s, same as last time, by one inch all around – inspired by none other than Jessica of A Little Gray. More sun coverage and more big sunhat floppiness. And I’m a big fan of avoiding hand sewing whenever possible, so I used the “look, no hand stitching!” technique (Jessica again!) to construct both hats. A pleasure to sew, even two in a row!
Another nice thing about the pattern is its reversible-ness. Lila’s hat reverses to Andover chambray in Mustard (same stuff I used for her Hide-and-Seek dress), and Oscar’s to good old Essex yard-dyed in Denim. I love that you get two hats in one with this pattern – one fun print, and one neutral solid.
And Oscar is wearing Lila’s first pair of Sailboat pants – finally a usable hand-me-down!
Okay, visit Made by Rae this week for lots of Lotus Pond inspiration – there’s a Lotus Pond Extravaganza in the works! Thanks to Rae and Cloud 9 for having me along!
probablyactually.wordpress.com 
yes yes yes! i got these two prints too, though only was able to eek out one garment for my stop on the tour (extravaganza). love both hats and totally recognized those sailboat pants! so awesome. you did some real good stuff here. thumbs up.
These hats look lovely and the prints suit them beautifully. Thanks for the useful links! I think a hat or two for my boy is in order for the upcoming sunny weather.
Perfect use for this fabric!
Oh lotus pond is PERFECT for new bucket hats!!! Although I’m not sure I need to make new ones this summer, last years still seem to fit…These are fantastic as usual! 🙂
Thank you! This is so timely for me – we’ve just outgrown last year’s hat, and can’t seem to find one for this year that’s just right.
pure cuteness! such a great summer staple; I’m sure you will get a lot of use from them. Love that last photo with both of them decked out in their O & S duds:) Wondering about Lila’s shoes and if you remember where you got them . . . the yellow polka dot cuteness makes me smile:)
thanks lucinda! i ordered those shoes from amazon, lila loves them! be warned that they run on the big side – we ended up going a full size down. here the link! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DG910YM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
thanks so much for the link, Gail – off to go check them out!!
That fabric is so much fun and those hats are adorable! I’m so glad I found your blog because I’ve been searching for a sun hat for my nephew! I will definitely be checking out that pattern! 🙂
Love the hats! Both of my boys need summer hats and I think that lotus pond print looks great in hat form!
Oh your hats are adorable!!!!!!!!! I need to make some this year too. And thanks for the links! And WHEN DID OSCAR TURN 5?!?!?!
Gah! These are soooo cute! This was the PERFECT project for these fabrics. Brilliant!
Adorable hats! And your kiddos are just the cutest- Oscar looks so tall! I’m in the middle of making another bucket hat too, and am using Jessica’s tute as well. Much easier for me than the original instructions. I like a good cheat. 🙂
[…] of Probably Actually made reversible bucket hats for her […]
Perfect summer hats!! Love the fabric combinations you picked. I need to make one of these hats for my little guy, although probably with straps as he pulls hats off with great enthusiasm these days… And how fun to have Oscar in a hand-me down!
So pretty, thanks for the links and tips on sizing up. Its perfect
GAH!!! these are ridiculously cute!! my bucket hats from last spring have disappeared without a trace this year…must make more!!!
Love the hats, especially the widened brim! I made matching hats from this pattern for my girls a few summers go and I’m just so sad that their big heads no longer fit the size on that pattern! Time to search out a new one! ;). (Also LOVE Lotus Pond…:):):))
Can’t take it, so cute! Your beautiful craftsmanship always makes me sigh with envy.
Perfect use for this fabric line. Lovely hats. I didn’t need to click on the link to Lila’s old one, that image is well remembered!