Recently, my boyfriend started learning how to weld, and asked if I could make him a welder’s cap. I did research for images and patterns and more time passed between his request and the actual making, but I did manage to bust it out before the end of his semester. For a first attempt, I am very please with final product.
Here’s a great illustration of a welder’s cap and why it’s important. It helps protect the parts of a welder’s head that aren’t covered by a standard face mask – hair, ears, back of the neck. The other requirement for the cap is that it has to be made out of 100% cotton, the least flammable fabric.
Speaking of flammable, I usually work with recycled or leftover fabric, so a lot of times I’m not altogether certain of the fiber content of what I’m working with. So bring on the burn test! I learned about burn testing fabric in university, and honestly, it’s really fun. I found a wonderful visual chart from Ditzyprints.com to update my notes and was ready to burn, baby, burn. The fabric I used was muslin (yes, usually cotton, but I just wanted to be sure since I didn’t actually buy it myself; someone gave it to me) and pants that I had bought in Japan and were worn out in certain areas (yay bike crotch!) past repair. I translated the tag in Japanese and was pretty sure it was cotton, but again, just wanted to be absolutely sure. I mean, this was my boyfriend’s head at stake here! Happily, a burn test proved both fabrics to be 100% cotton.
I found a free pattern for the cap, by SeaminglySimple on Flickr, which was very easy to print and work from. I didn’t discover the instructions until later, and this may explain why the brim ended up on on top of the band, instead of under. It made sense to me while I was working on it, I guess. Oh, my brain…
I know it’s a mistake, but I do like how it turned out. It’s unique! (Right?)
And my boyfriend was really happy with it too, which was the most important part. Pictures!
My mom makes these for my cousin who is a full-time welder, & he sells them to his co-workers. Lmk if you’d like some of her tips!
I want to start making my husbands caps for welding but i also would like to start selling them since almost everyone i know is a welder. I could use the extra income as well. Any suggestions from you would be appreciated! I get my sewing machine Tuesday and i am so excited! Thanks in advance! debbie
I’d love some tips!
I actually think they’re really comfortable, I kind of want to make one for myself. And I never know when I might pick up welding!
LOVE it.. I also am sorta fascinated & think it’d be fun to take lessons! I’ll ask Momz to put some tips in a message for you!
Great! Thanks so much! Hats are really fun because they’re much faster to make.
Yours look great!!
Wow LB, I honestly thought you meant to make the cap that way! But, you’re absolutely right…it is unique. You might be on to something here!
Hello Liz, That has got to be the coolest mistake on a cap pattern. I know when I wear my caps (I work in construction) when I want to put the brim in front, and not wear it the traditional way, It’s a little too low. This “fumble” is actually quite awesome and a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I may use it, if you don’t mind for my “dressy” welder’s caps. Have a super day!!!