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| Sheep mascot wearing cool shades... |
Well, last year, on a particularly rough boat ride on Lake Okanagan, I think — I believe — my white visor got tossed out into the wild waters. I am not 100% sure that's what happened, but at some point during that holiday, I could no longer find it.
I do have another, but while browsing online for one earlier this year, I saw this project for a visor that attaches to your sunglasses (or glasses) and thought, how neat!
This is from the blog of Denise Clason Studios dating back to 2013. She provides a pattern. I don't know where/when the origin of the visor itself goes back to, as it was (and still is) a mass produced item. [Update November 8, 2021: Denise's blog no longer exists.]
After making this one more or less according to the instructions, I found myself wishing the brim could be longer.
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| The elastic opening may need to be smaller if your frames are the metal/wire type... |
I knew, however, that there is a limit to how much it could be extended, due to weight, balance and field of vision issues.
Still, I wanted to experiment and make a version with a longer brim. So I did. Here it is with my carnival plush dog as the model.
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| My "larger brim" version of the sunglasses visor... |
Apparently there are some folks out there who will not "stoop" to wearing a visor, for various reasons (none of which I will enumerate here). Having long been converted to the visor world, however, I find this to be very handy, particularly when the sun is low on the horizon.
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| Top fabric is from my Spoonflower Canadiana collection... |
The brim on my version extends about 3/4" longer than the original. Anything more and it would likely impede my line of sight.
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| My customized pattern piece in comparison with original... |
I modeled my template after a ball cap brim, so the shape is also slightly different.
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| The bottom fabric seemed like an appropriate choice for this project... |
The elastic support loops need to be adjusted for the type of glasses that you wear. I've seen manufactured versions of this visor with two different elastic supports: a smaller one for skinny wire frames and a larger one for wider plastic frames. I tend to wear mostly Ray Ban Wayfarer style sunglasses so the setup that you see here with the wide elastic works for me.
As you might imagine, this is not a difficult thing to make. The trickiest part was getting the ends of the binding to behave. I actually don't like how the binding is folded at the corners, but haven't been concerned enough to figure out a better way. (Maybe no binding at all.)
The two pieces of fabric were interfaced. Because of the quilting involved, I used a piece of fleece as my "batting".
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| Quilting and binding are part of this project... |
There is one extra step in the whole process if you plan on using my template (which can be downloaded here). After the binding was attached, I had to sew the elastic supports down in order to lift the visor higher.
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| Run a line of stitching along the base of the elastic supports to keep them pointed downwards... |
If you don't do this, the brim will drop down into your field of vision. That little "fix" aside, this customized version works for me. It provides a bit more coverage without adding too much heft. I've worn it while biking in the evenings and it takes the edge off the glare of the setting sun.
If you scout around, you'll likely find other DIYs for similar visors, since Denise's site is no longer accessible. (Update Nov 12, 2021: see comments below for a link to the tutorial via the Wayback Machine.)
This is one of those rare unisex gift ideas (as long as the recipient is not adverse to visors), as well as a good project for using up scraps. It also travels well, since it's flat when not attached to a pair of glasses.
I could do with one of those when driving into the sun late in the afternoon. Clever!!!
ReplyDeleteRochelle,
ReplyDeleteI need to make one or two of these for my mom. She's become increasingly sensitive to light. I think it's something that occurs with aging, but it may also be part of her macular degeneration. Either way, one of these visors on her regular glasses might help when her sunglasses either aren't handy or aren't appropriate (inside, for instance).
I'll keep in mind the glitchiness of the binding at the corners. I think if you stitched it right sides together and before you turn it, clip, grade and notch all layers carefully around the curve you might make it work with careful pressing and a top stitched finish. Seems like it "needs" the binding at the base but I'm not sure why. Maybe fold the binding forward and cover that flap with a button? Maybe a flower on one side? I'm just brainstorming.
These days I'm full of lots of ideas and little action. Should I get busy and make one of these I'll be back let you know how it turned out.
Thanks for the easy instructions.
Jan
You're welcome, Jan. And I look forward to seeing your alternate take on this project if you get around to making it. (I know that the binding makes it easier to hide the elastic loops on the underside of the visor, but yes, there must be another way of achieving this without it.)
DeleteGood point you make about using this as an indoor solution to light sensitivity. Who knew?
The sunglasses version won't mess your hair, lol! I think it a clever idea. Instead of binding, you could sew right-sides-together and turn it, and then topstitch all around. Have you tried that? Or sew the top straighter edge right-sides-together and turn and bind only the bottom curve? Either way could help with the issue of the binding coming together at the sides if that bothers you? Oh I just read that other comment about sewing and turning it. Ha! Great minds think alike.
ReplyDeleteOh, you have no idea how this meets my needs. I recently lost the sight in one eye, and I normally wear sunglasses when my husband is driving me on our monthly trips to my specialist, 100 miles away. I like to read on my iPad during the trip, but I can't keep the sunglasses on or else I can't read the screen. I still need to keep the sun out of my eyes and try to keep my hair looking presentable, so you have addressed both my issues amazingly well! YOU brightened MY day...er...year! Thank you, and with hugs!
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I have been searching for! I have downloaded your patterns, but the link to the tutorial you give is no longer available. Can you provide a link to a tutorial or at least give me the details such as seam allowance, etc. for construction? Thank you so much! I need a sun visor all the time but cannot wear the usual type.
ReplyDeleteSherry B
Hi Sherry... I have a bunch of construction photos that I took when I made mine that I can send to you if you provide me with your email address. (Use the "Contact Me" widget on my sidebar at left to send me a message so you don't have to reveal your email address here.) Since the item was bound, there is no seam allowance to speak of.
DeleteRochelle, Thank you for the construction photos. I think they will be very helpful! Sherry
DeleteI forgot about suggesting the Wayback Machine to look for any lost page (web.archive.org).
DeleteCheck it out here: http://web.archive.org/web/20170606143146/http://www.deniseclason.com/2013/08/quilted-custom-visor-for-your.html
This will make my golfing more comfortable! Could you please share construction pages? Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteSince you left no email address by which I can contact you, the best I can do is advise you to check out the Wayback Machine link as suggested in the previous comment.
DeleteHi Rochelle. I used your template but my friend said it did not cover her forehead. So I added 1 1/2 " to the fold . I did not use binding, I sewed right sides and turned leaving a 2" opening at the top center, then made a smaller template for naked foam and inserted it, then closed the seam. To make it reversible, I sewed the elastic 1" from the end to the bottom portion of the visor showing the elastic on the top and bottom. by adding to the fold it "pushed" the top up enough to cover her forehead! She is one happy camper now!
ReplyDeleteCool! It's always terrific to hear about people taking a concept and running with it. This little idea by Denise has been quite popular, but I really love how we have managed to incorporate our own modifications to make it even better. Thanks for sharing your version!
DeleteHi Rochelle, can you please share what type of elastic you use on the visor. Size, brand and type would be greatly appreciated. thank you Chris Hendrix
DeleteIt was a 30mm wide waistband elastic, cut in half lengthwise to be 15mm wide. I no longer have the packaging to provide the brand name, but I tend to buy those types of things at discount or dollar stores, if that's any help at all. That said, I don't think it's all that important what elastic you use.
Deletethank you
Delete