Peter Pumpkin Eater: No-Sew Pumpkin Hat

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater,

Had a wife and couldn't keep her;

So he kept her very well

Safe within a pumpkin shell

My little Pete is going to be "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater" for Halloween this year. Basically, I plan to serve him some nice orange pumpkin, sans bib, and let his white onsie get all stained up.  He'll carry a little pumpkin with one of Adelae's thumb sized princesses as his "wife".  Still, he needed a finishing touch - a hat!  I didn't really have a plan beyond "hat" when I ran out last night, but found this orange long sleeve T-shirt for only $2. 

This is so quick and easy, absolutely no-sew, and can be completed in about 10 minutes.  All you need is a man's long sleeve T-shirt, sharp scissors, matches, and a strip of green felt.

Cut the sleeve off the shirt, including the seam connecting it to the body of the shirt. 

Measure about 12" from the shoulder of the sleeve, and cut. Carefully, singe the raw edge - the top of your hat.  If you roll up from the hemmed side, your hat's base, you'll see that it's starting to look like a hat, but is a little asymmetrical. 

To make the hat symmetrical, refold the fabric to place the vertical hem (shown on the left above) in the middle of the back side of the hat.  Next, fold the top corners inside of the hat, so they meet at the top-middle forming two overlapping V's

Place a 7-8" strip of felt or green fabric between the two V's on the top of the hat.  Gather one "V" in each hand and half-knot together over the felt. Draw the felt up and over your shirt's half-knot, and knot the felt tightly. 

Place it on your child's head, then roll up to achieve the desired fit and look.  Fortunately, shirts have two sleeves, because Adelae wanted one too! 




Want to know what my little pumpkins are eating?  Here is a family favorite, healthy treat, and how I intend to get that nice orange stain for Petey's costume!

Pumpkin Applesauce

1 46oz jar applesauce
1 15oz can pumpkin
2 t pumpkin pie spice


Stir it all together in a Tupperware container and store in the fridge.  Serve chilled or warm.  Add more spice if you like!  I always use all natural, no sugar added applesauce.  For a very special treat, serve with Gingersnaps!