Fur Hat

A fur hat, especially when you raise rabbits for meat, is one of the most wonderful things you can wear

Back to How Tos Next Post Previous Post

The hat made here is for our four year old, whose head had a circumference of 21″. Adjust any measurements to fit your own head. Also note that we allow for a seam, or hem, of 1/3″ (0.75cm) – all measurements include this seam.

This hat has fur on the interior and exterior. We made the interior using brown fur and the exterior using black. Make sure you use fur that is soft and oiled, so that it is pliable and waterproof.

Materials & Tools

Materials

Several freshly skinned rabbit furs, depending on size

Thread

Tools

Scissors

Measuring tape

Marker

Needles and pins

Sewing machine

Step 1: Cutting interior

For the interior, or liner, mark and cut the following pieces.

A 7″ diameter circle (which has a 22″ circumference). This is the top.
Two rectangles, each 11 1/2″ by 4″ (the grain of the fur needs to run from top to bottom along the 4″ side). These are the sides.
Two almost rectangles, as follows:

For the first, make a mark (A) in top left-hand corner (the grain of the fur needs to run from the top to the bottom). Go down 4″ – this is B. Turn right 7 3/4″ – this is C. Go back to A and go 5 3/4″ right – this is D. Draw a curved line right from D down to C.
For the second, make a mark (A) in top right-hand corner (the grain of the fur needs to run from the top to the bottom). Go down 4″ – this is B. Turn left 7 3/4″ – this is C. Go back to A and go 5 3/4″ left – this is D. Draw a curved line left from D down to C.

Step 2: Cutting Exterior

For the exterior, mark and cut the following pieces.

A 8″ diameter circle (which has a 25″ circumference). This is the top.
Three rectangles, each 9″ by 4″ (the grain of the fur needs to run from top to bottom along the 4″ side). These are the sides.
Two almost rectangles, as follows:

For the first, make a mark (A) in top left-hand corner (the grain of the fur needs to run from the top to the bottom). Go down 4″ – this is B. Turn right 9″ – this is C. Go back to A and go 7″ right – this is D. Draw a curved line right from D down to C.
For the second, make a mark (A) in top right-hand corner (the grain of the fur needs to run from the top to the bottom). Go down 4″ – this is B. Turn left 9″ – this is C. Go back to A and go 7″ left – this is D. Draw a curved line left from D down to C.

Step 3: Sewing

You can sew by hand or with a machine, as rabbit fur is very soft. If using a machine, it’s best to tack it together first, as the fur slides against itself. Use a denim or stretch needle, and make the stitch width as wide as possible (stitches too close together can cut the fur). Use a couple of scrap bits of fur as a test for what tension you need.

Lay the sides against the top of the liner, fur to fur. Tack and sew around the circle, about 1/3″ in from the edge.
Tack and sew each side to the other side along the 4″ edge. Do not go all the way to the edge, but rather leave 1/3″ un-sewn.
Repeat for the exterior top and sides. However, this part of the hat, you need to turn inside out, so that the fur is on the outside (the interior wants the fur to be on the inside).
Place one exterior ear piece fur side up. Put the corresponding interior ear piece on top of it, fur side down. Tack and sew together from C along the curved part to D. Leave 1/3″ un-sewn on either side of the line. Do the same for the other ear piece.
Put the liner inside the exterior and decide which of the 9″ side pieces of the exterior hat you want to be the front. Fold 1/3″ of the front piece back on itself. Crease well, so that the fold holds itself. Do the same for the corresponding part of the liner. Sew these two creases together. This is probably best done by hand, as you can hide a hand sewn line well within the fur.
Sew the top of the exterior earpiece (from C to B) to the exterior hat, from the side to the middle of the back. Do the same for the other earpiece. Also easier sewn by hand.
Sew the top of the interior earpiece (from C to B) to the interior hat, from the side to the middle of the back. Do the same for the other earpiece. Also easier sewn by hand.
Sew the two interior earpieces together from A to B.
Match the exterior earpieces to the interior ones – there will some extra as the exterior ones are longer than the interior. Cut off this extra. Then sew the exterior earpieces together, joining them to the interior.

Your hat should now be closed and finished. Enjoy.