How to Make a Fancy Hat for the Kentucky Derby

You can sport a stylish and unique hat at the Kentucky Derby without having to spend a small fortune buying a custom hat. You can make your own fancy hat at home using materials from around the house and garden. You can even purchase some materials from a local craft shop.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape measure
• Straw hat
• Silk flowers
• Buttons
• Feathers
• Ribbon
• Veils
• Lace
• Glue

1. Get ideas for making a creative hat from the Kentucky Derby hats on display on the Courier-Journal of Kentucky website (see Resources below).
2. Measure your head. Wrap a tape measure around your head, just above the middle of your forehead. Mark the place where the tape overlaps and write down the measurement. This will be your hat size.
3. Select a basic straw hat with a wide brim to use as the base for your fancy Kentucky Derby hat. Straw hats are the easiest to adorn, since you can easily push things through the weave.
4. Ensure that the hat you choose has a brim at least as wide as your shoulders. This will help keep the sun off your face on the day of the derby and will ensure that your hat suits the size of your body.
5. Gather supplies to adorn your basic hat by visiting some of the craft-supply sites listed on the Craft Site Directory website (see Resources below). Pick out silk flowers, buttons, feathers, ribbons, lace and a veil or two to use to decorate your hat. Choose larger flowers, such as roses and lilies, to make the most dramatic statements.
6. Bring your hat and accessories together to experiment with different fancy designs. Drape different ribbons and nettings around the base of the hat to see how each would look as a hatband. Arrange flowers, buttons, feathers and veils in different combinations to try out several looks before you begin to attach things to the hat.
7. Place a small line of craft glue around the base of the hat. Gently press your chosen hatband into place on top of the glue. Smooth out the hatband with your finger to remove any wrinkles and excess glue.
8. Add the largest of your flowers or feathers next. Glue each into place, and allow it to dry before adding the next decoration.
9. Add ribbons or buttons of contrasting color to make your Kentucky Derby hat more distinctive.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a hat in your hat size over one that is "one size fits all." Properly fitted hats will last longer and look fresher over time.
• Choose a hat color that will complement but not exactly match your derby outfit. Most expert hat makers agree that such hats have more visual impact.
• Avoid using too much glue when attaching ribbons or veils, as the excess can seep into the fabric and change its color.