My first project ever

[SewMeSome]

    [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]   Hi all , Bit of context- I only started sewing later in life during the lockdown. I had never done any before but found a bit of time and wanted to give it a go.

I started with a winter hat. I used an old recycled Harris Tweed jacket for the main body of the cap, and it's red lining to line the hat.

I don't mean to offend anyone (and I certainly love animals and would never harm animals), but I got some rabbit pelts from the butchers to make the ear flaps and peak. I figured that ethically they were a 'by-product' and might just be thrown away if no one bought them- but I understand if you disagree with that and we will just have to agree to disagree politely?

Anyway- I didn't finish it very well as it was hard to get through the thick materials and then the fur was a bit trickey too. And I learned a lot for the next one.

But, I wear it, it's a bit tatty , but it does the job I intended it to do and I loved the process of creating and making. I used a pattern I found on-line.

EDIT- Just remembered that I covered that stool the hat sits on- that was technically my first sewing project! But I used a staple gun, and no sewing was involved

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[Deafoldbat]

I figured that ethically they were a 'by-product' and might just be thrown away

And of course when the hat wears out they can be composted, unlike synthetic 'fur'. I shall now don my helmet and flak jacket...

[Bodgeitandscarper]

That's great.  And a good use of a by-product 

[BrendaP]

For a first sewing project that is actually quite a complicated, and probably fiddly item.  Well done.

The fur looks quite blue - did you dye it or is it a trick of the lighting?

[SewMeSome]

No, I didn't do anything to the fur, that's natural. It is a wonderful colour that changes in different light and depending on which way you brush your hand over it. It is lovely on the ears and keeps them very warm

[Lilian]

Well done @SewMeSome it looks lovely and warm.

[Ouryve]

It shows more respect to the rabbit to use more of it. No complaints, here. 

[William]

Wow! For a first project you certainly picked a more challenging project than usual - and did a vary good job. Bravo 

[SewMeSome]

Thank you William - that's the one good thing about being a total novice, you aren't put off when you look at a pattern as you have no idea what it means or how hard it might be
I just made it through with will power of not giving up and wanting to complete it no matter what.
I've just started knitting and it feels the same way.

[Catllar]

Great job there! Good idea to use the bunny rabbit fur - I presume it had been er, dealt with  to make it not all gloopy?

[SewMeSome]

Oh yes. I thin they were scraped and salted before they got to me

[Sara-S]

It looks great and is a good use of thre materials. @SewMeSome is it nice & warm?

[SewMeSome]

I can honestly say that it is the warmest hat I ever owned , especially around the ears.

[Lachica]

Very stylish hat. Your avatar is the Bernina 730 - I sold mine in lockdown - they're great machines.

[SewMeSome]

@Lachica It is the 707 Minimatic. I only just took up sewing on lockdown and read they were quite sturdy and I liked the look of it and fell in love with vintage Bernina. Every week I have to fight the urge to go on eBay and Gumtree and buy another one.

I did a bit of fixing on it as it has been left un-loved for a while. I now have a good routine of cleaning and oiling and generally looking after it.

If anyone is interested I found a wonderful enamel touch up paint that matches the colour almost exactly and did a good job sprucing it it