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The Classic Poorboy Cap

Please read all of these instructions and tips before starting your Cap!! 

Thank you for watching our Classic Poorboy Cap Video on YouTube!!  Our modern version of the eight-panel cap that has been in style for at least 400 years! Variations will make it more or less baggy but the cap remains a customer favorite. 

 You can use just about any fabric to make this cap but my advice is to stick with medium weights like woolens and cords in the winter and medium weight cottons like denim in the summer. The Free Pattern will provide you with the template pattern pieces for our most popular top panel, we call the "B" Style which slightly baggy, in the average women's head size of 22.5" or 57.5 cm.  There is a paid pattern package, for a nominal fee that helps cover the costs of digitizing these patterns so they can be downloaded at home using your own computer and printer.  The paid package adds two  more top pieces - "Style C" which is baggier that can be used to make a lovely beret and "Style A" which is just slightly  baggy that fits closer to the head.  You can see the results of the three variations in the photos above.  The paid set covers 12 head sizes in full size pattern pieces that are separated into size group files of small, medium, large and extra large. The paid pattern is available on this site and on Etsy.

This is an experienced Beginner to Intermediate level sewing project that will inspire you to make more and gives instant confidence because the finished result is so lovely!  Beginners can do this pattern too but make sure that your sewing equipment can handle the layers of fabric so I recommend making your first from an easy fabric like the narrow wale cord I use in the video.  There will be more videos about this hat and how to use different fabrics and top panels to create amazing statement caps.  Much more flattering for women especially than a ball cap when you combine fabrics and textures to create one of a kind looks. 

Note - Links from this page will open in new windows leaving this main info/index page open for you. The links to the actual pattern files are below the printer instructions below.  This is intentional so that you read these instructions and configure your printer settings correctly so that your pattern pieces will print to be the same size as ours! Link to the Video on YouTube by clicking on the Thumbnail picture.

The pattern pieces are cut without any attention to stretch so keep this in mind when positioning pieces. This is a fitted cap with some flexibility in size given the elastic insert at the back.  You can have fun positioning your printed fabrics.  IF you are using plaids for your top panels keep the pattern in mind as you are cutting also.  I like to cut plaids on the bias for my band and visor pieces when I am using plaid only because I like the way that looks.  You may have a preference for cutting the top on the bias because you like the way it looks.  My video is basically about how I make this cap and my process but you will have your own way and sequence for cutting the pattern pieces and then sewing them together.  I encourage that you change any of the steps if that will make it easier for you! 

Follow the video for step by step instructions.  The video is found on YouTube here -https://youtu.be/1EqxwignEnU  

NOTES ON MODIFYING THE PATTERN PIECES -  A seam allowance of 3/8" or 1 cm is built into the black outline of each pattern piece.  Each piece has an shadow outline in a color matching the size chart below.  This shadow will allow you to use a larger seam allowance of 1/2" or 1.25 cm.  You can make the pattern pieces deeper or a bit larger in fit but cutting to the shadow edge and maintaining a 3/8" or 1 cm seam allowance.  Tip - Sometimes easing the two pieces together can be accomplished better if you reverse the stacking order that I demonstrate in my how to video when you are sewing the two pieces  together.  

How to adjust the pattern for different head sizes -  If you need help converting a specific head size please feel free to message me at madcaphats@gmail.com and I will try to help with that calculation.  Please consider buying the full pattern package if you can because that really is the best way to support this effort to teach you how to make great hats for personal and/or business use and keep the patterns and videos coming.

Thank you so much for watching our video and hopefully subscribing to our YouTube Channel.  Subscribing is free and we are here to help you make, create and love hats! Until the next one Mad Cappers!! Cheers, Tori  


This is an original  design created by Tori Capes, Certified Milliner for Mad Cap Hats, all rights reserved. You can use the hats you create from our patterns for your personal or business use. 

How to Download the Pattern - Setting up your Printer

1.  Make sure you have a PDF reader on your device as the files will automatically open in your default PDF program. If you do not have a PDF program you will need to install one.    "Adobe Reader"  is a FREE program and it can be downloaded here .
2.  Print the files on Letter or A4 ... set your printer to print ACTUAL or CUSTOM 100% size in your printer dialogue box like the photo below.  Do NOT have Fit or shrink or fit to page selected.  Only Actual Size or Custom Scale (size) 100% for page size.  Also check page margins in the Page Setup or Advanced tabs for your printer.  Page margins should be set to 0.00 mm
3. The pattern requires 9 pages and they are assemble in 3 rows of 3 pages each.   The pattern pieces have two cutting guides for seam allowance.  A seam allowance of 3/8" or 1 cm is built into the pattern pieces if the pieces are cut to the black outline on the inside of the blue or green shadow around each piece.  Cutting to the outside edge of the shadow will increase the seam allowance to 1/2" or 1.25 cm. 

4. Check the guide lines on page 1 for printer calibration. It is critical that the printed output measures exactly 5 inches or 10 cm.  IF it does not, check your printer settings in step 2. 

Download the FREE Pattern Files - Click HERE

Purchase the Pattern in 12 Head Sizes - Click HERE

Once your pages are downloaded, cut away the extra paper from the black boxes containing the pattern pieces and joining the half circles together at each side, the complimentary pattern should look like the photo below.  (Note that the paid pattern set will have it's own set of photos in the "Read This First" file that is part of the download.

 

Tools used in this Project/Video

Here are the items used in this video available on Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, we will earn a commission on purchases using these links which will not increase your cost but help us greatly to pay for the digital work needed to share our hat making patterns. Thank you so much!! Links will open in a new window and take you to the Amazon store in your specific area/country. Most of these items are available in North America, the UK, Europe and throughout the world. 

Colorful Magnetic Seam Guide Set on Amazon - https://geni.us/AiIBs

Flexi Foam sew in Interfacing by Pellon on Amazon - https://geni.us/X3AKL

Dense EVA foam - pkg of 20 - on Amazon - https://geni.us/ecjgC7q

Henkels super sharp scissors, 8" - https://geni.us/t7paS

Electric Cutter by Reliable - https://geni.us/AnzDBq1

Industrial Sewing Machine Package - https://geni.us/bAiMjf

Worklion Cutting Mat - https://geni.us/OfyX

 Taylor Seville Comfort Grip Pins - https://geni.us/6sdcUh

Sewing Clips on Amazon - https://geni.us/CNU7

Presser Foot with seam guide or compensating presser foot - https://geni.us/LHHu6f

Presser foot for gathering on Amazon - https://geni.us/BWM4

Singer 9" Pinking Shears - https://geni.us/EByK

3-piece magnet seam guides in fun colors - https://geni.us/AiIBs

Madam Sew Chalk markers - https://geni.us/Li73U

3/4" or 2 cm wide elastic for sewing - https://geni.us/zBcKnnf

Teflon presser foot for industrial sewing machines - https://geni.us/gky3

Other Mad Cap Hats Channel tutorial videos for beloved Caps 

The Classic Flat Cap - https://youtu.be/6f6zzI-1Iok


You can see a variety of our favorite sewing and lifestyle products on our Amazon Storefronts and our affiliate links are below.

In Canada the list is here - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/madcaphats

In the USA the list is here - https://www.amazon.com/shop/madcaphats

In the UK the list is here - https://www.amazon.uk/shop/madcaphats

 

Check out our Full Sewing Patterns in digital format and multiple sizes available to purchase for a nominal fee ... 

 Visit the ready made hat pages of our website for ideas and inspiration for your hat making. For some of our popular hats we offer free and well as full pattern sets in several sizes.  The multi size pattern sets are available for a small fee which helps us cover the cost of digitizing and producing the how to videos.  To see our selection of patterns for sale, check out the full collection here -  https://madcaphats.com/collections/sewing-patterns

Thinking of starting your own sewing/hat business? Check out Shopify! We have been Shopify customers for years now and they make selling online so easy. So many free site templates to choose from and 24/7 support to get you up and running quickly. Check out Shopify with a free trial - https://shopify.pxf.io/R5barg