How to Customize Your Own Hats

A hat is an accessory that is both practical and a means of self-expression. However, hats that are a savior on bad hair days can be rather dull. If you are tired of that plain hat in your collection, customize it. With a variety of materials and design ideas at your disposal, think of the hat as a canvas on which to exercise your creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Needle
• Thread
• Fabric glue
• Rhinestones
• Photographs
• Printer fabric sheets
• Scissors
• Fabric strips
• Permanent markers

Instructions

1. Use a needle and thread to stitch designs and/or text onto your hat. This method works particularly well on solid colored cotton flat visor caps, which have a wide and flat front panel. Ideas include embroidering your Zodiac sign or your name written in a font that you like.

2. Use fabric glue to trace the outline of the text and/or images on your hat. Create a sparkling rim by placing rhinestones or crystals on top of the glue before it dries.

3. Print a photo of your significant other or your favorite celebrity on a printer fabric sheet. Cut out the image and sew it onto the hat.

4. Cut strips of lace, silk and other fabrics. Arrange them in an overlapping collage-like design on the hat. Use fabric glue to attach the strips of material to the hat.

5. Draw intricate designs in different colored permanent markers on caps whose front is made of light colored cotton or polyester foam. Ask your friends to sign and write funny messages on the hat in marker.

Tips & Warnings

• To preserve your hand-crafted customized hat, do not wear it in the rain, which can change the appearance of fabrics or undo glue.

References

• Spazztic Crafts: The Crafter's Glue Guide
• Life123: How to Transfer Photos onto Fabric
• CypherStyle: Cotton Trucker Cap