It's a month of Kitchen stuff....and look at what Patti has to offer us ....Rolling in the Dough with an Adjustable Chef's Hat ( and 3 very very special guests today)

Thank you Madame Samm and gentle readers for having me back during "Kitchen" month. This is Patricia from Yumm Yumz by patticakes.

How would you like a way to get your kids more exercise, learn a trade, travel the world, and become a world class athlete? This post might just be for you. You and your kid could soon be Rolling in the Dough! They can begin training TODAY to become, as the U.S. Pizza Team calls themselves - Pizza Acrobats!

The U.S.P.T. performs at fairs, festivals, and even the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The highlight of their organization is to travel each year to Italy to compete against 20 other countries in the World Pizza Championship.

To make the team, you need to know tricks known as "power moves." Breakdancing, acrobatics, gymnastics, and theatrics are combined with pizza spinning. World Champions perform one-handed tosses, handstands, and behind-the-back tricks to bring home The Gold.

To help get your Pizza Prodigy started on his quest, I have written a recipe/tutorial on making an Adjustable Chef's hat. Let's get started so you can turn "Junior" loose in your flour bin and on his way to Pizza Fame and Fortune!

Ingredients for a Child's Adjustable Chef's Hat:

***1/2 yard of main hat fabric
***(Do NOT prewash - you will need the full 18 inches for your circle)

Contrasting (optional) fabric for hat band cut into 8" x 25 1/2" strip

8" x 25 1/2" strip fusible interfacing (I prefer Pellon Shir Tailor for it's stiffness)

2 strips - 3 1/2 inches of Velcro

8 inches of 1/2 inch bias binding (store bought or make your own)

The hardest part of this "recipe" will be to find a large circle template for your hat. I searched the nether regions of my kitchen and found an aluminum mixing bowl 18 inches in diameter. Press and starch all fabric pieces well. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of hat band.

Cut your circle and fold into quarters. Make a slight marking in the seam allowance at each quadrant which will be used to match similar markings on your hat band later.

Pick one (any one, but just one) quadrant and cut a 3 1/2" slit toward the center of your circle.

Next, try to open your slit out flat without pulling or stretching your fabric. You will be attaching your bias binding to this slit so a certain amount of easing and manipulating at the peak of the slit is necessary. Sew close to the edge of your bias binding being careful to catch the back edge of your binding on the opposite side of the slit as well. Trim excess binding to match your circle edges.

Now that you have completed the hardest part of your hat, set it aside for a minute so we can work on the band.

Fold your band wrong sides together and press. If you choose to personalize your hat band with embroidery, applique, fabric flowers, or covered buttons (unadulterated plug for one of the Madame's sponsors in her sidebar), you may do so now.

Remember, the fold will be the bottom of your finished band and the raw edge will be the top so don't put your embellishment on upside down. How do I know this? Suffice it to say, been there . . . done that!

The next part is a little tricky. Lay your hat band right side up. Attach one strip of velcro on the UPPER RIGHT side of your band. The velcro should be 3/4" from the short edge and 1 3/4" ABOVE the fold. Now attach the opposite piece of velcro to the LOWER LEFT side of your band 3/4" from the short edge and 1 3/4" BELOW the fold.

Velcro tape on UPPER RIGHT side of band

Velcro tape on LOWER LEFT side of band

If you want to double check that you did it right before proceeding, fold your band wrong sides together and bring the ends together making sure your velcro pieces will match with each other when the band is attached to your hat. Fold your hat band lengthwise in half and mark in the seam allowance at the halfway point. Mark again halfway between the center and both short edges.

Re-fold your hat band this time right sides together and sew each short edge of your band with a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn band right sides out and press well.

Now back to your hat - stitch two rows of gathering stitches 1/4" from edge of bias-covered slit all around circle to opposite side of slit.

Right sides and raw edges together, match your marked quadrants on both your circle and hat band, adjust gathering evenly and pin hat to hat band. The finished edges of your slit and the finished edges of your hat band should match.

Stitch hat to hat band with a 1/2" seam allowance. Serge or overlock seam for a finished edge.

Turn right side out and fluff. Ta Dah - Done!

To get your own Piece of Da Pie, leave a comment below of your favorite pizza topping. One lucky reader will win the red "Kiss The Cook" Chef's Hat plus a $5.00 gift card for a Mini Murph Pizza Kit from Papa Murphy's to get your own Little Chef started on his career of Pizza Acrobat. Winner will be selected by Random.Org on Sunday evening, April 15th. Please make sure I have your email address to notify the winner!

Thanks again for having me. I hope to see you soon at the next World Pizza Championship!