Originally Posted by
Reba'squilts
I went to my friends chemo treatment yesterday and gifted her the quilt that I made to keep her warm during her ordeal. I found that she may need 8 more treatments. I think she is strong and dedicated to getting better. Her hair is thinning. She will probably lose it before her treatments are over. I would like to make her some hats. I have tried to find free patterns but am not having much luck. Does anyone know of some cute easy patterns that I can download. She loved her quilt!!! We both shed a few tears. I am sure she would like a couple of cute hats, she is young (50) and pretty,. Would love to make something to cheer her when the hair goes. Thanks, Carol aka Reba
I made over a hundred fleece chemo hats for our local cancer center. The nurses told me the patients liked these best. I chose solid colors (brown, red, turquoise, green, cream, etc). I had Ovarian Cancer, but was lucky I didn't lose my hair. My friend had Breast Cancer & she lost her hair. She told me the wigs hurt her head. She said her head got very cold, especially at night. She had gotten several hats at the local Cancer Organization, but they also hurt her head. The more seams on the inside the worse they hurt. So I searched the internet for patterns. I made her fleece hats and another style sort of like a equestrian riding hat. She wore those for more dressy occassions.
These are the patterns I used:
Fleece beanie:
http://helpinghearts0.tripod.com/id8.html
A no-pill fleece works great. Note the fabric, as some stretches out, but doesn't go back all the way. You want the type of fleece that holds it's shape. These sew up great on a serger or if you don't have one, use a overlock stitch.
Equestrian Style:
https://curiouslycrafty.wordpress.com/milinery/ Scroll all the way down to see the finished hat.
This hat covers the whole head down to the hair line. It can be made from any non-stretchy type fabrics, including quilting cottons. I used twill for the outside & satin for the inside/lining so it wouldn't be irritating to her head. I also made a few from quilting cottons in a pretty print. I used iron-on interfacing to keep the pieces from stretching any while sewing. I used a very stiff craft interfacing for the brim. The pattern is a tad complicated, but there are 3 pdf printable pattern pieces you use. I copied/pasted the directions & photos to make it easier to follow. Make sure you mark all pieces & the edges or you can end up sewing them together wrong. I got the covered button kit & used them to cover the top center. My friend loved these & still wears them. I also made a couple for one of my husbands co-works wives who had breast cancer. She was so upset she was losing her long red hair. She loved this hat as well, as it's more dressy than a beanie.