How to Update an Old Hat for Spring

When you update an old hat for spring, you save money, update a style that already appeals to you and give yourself carte blanche to be creative. Fortunately, hats are easy to update, since almost any type of wardrobe accessory--beads, scarves, sequins, buckles and even earrings--can be added to give a hat flair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hot-glue gun
• Sewing kit
• Sewing machine (optional)

Pull Out Your Crafts Box

1. Sew buttons around the base of an old hat's crown for a very artistic look. Use buttons of different sizes and colors to add whimsy to an otherwise boring spring cap, or use pewter buttons to add elegance to a fedora or riding cap. If you can't sew, use a hot glue gun, which can be purchased from any crafts store.

2. Tuck one artificial flower, or a whole sprig, into a hatband for an instant uplift. Most people don't realize that the embellishments they pay too much for in retail stores are actually accessible and very affordable from craft-supply stores. Silk flowers are usually sold by the stem for bargain prices.

3. Keep ribbons of every color handy. Then, whenever you want a hat that coordinates with an outfit, it just takes a moment to tie on the ribbon. If you tend to wear one or two favorite colors, you may want to secure the ribbon with a touch of glue.

Use Tricks the Pros Use

4. Sew buttonholes, using the buttonhole attachment on a sewing machine, around the crown or brim of a hat. Lace a ribbon through the holes, leaving two long streamers of ribbon to drape down the back of the hat. As an alternative, you can baste (loosely hand sew) the two ends together, so that you can remove it when you want to change the ribbon color.

5. Tie a scarf around the crown of your old hat to form a bow or knot in the back, or use the scarf to come over the crown and under your chin for a spring garden-party style. Even men's hats, like top hats, can look feminine with long, floral scarves tied around their crowns and the ends hanging loosely behind the hats.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have old jewelry that you don't wear anymore, but that you don't want to give away just yet, consider using it to trim a hat. Tangled necklaces can be cut out, and the lengths can be glued around the brim of a hat to add sparkle. Dangling earrings can simply be hooked into a straw hat for easy embellishment. Brooches can be affixed to any hat.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

Resources

• Hat trimming supplies at DollsandLace.com