The pattern for the hat allows for either paper piecing or pieced methods. Since the pieced method is pretty straight forward, I opted for using that way to eliminate the need to tear off paper after the sewing. A 10" square will make 4 of the hats. Layer cakes work well. 2/3 yard of background is enough for a runner of 12 hats. I suggest non-directional for the background. (If you look closely at my black dot background, you will see that the "dots" are actually rectangular and end up going in different patterns.) Also needed is a hat band; 1/3 yard.