Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to dust off those hats and get ready for some fun in the sun! But why settle for a boring old hat when you can create something truly unique that reflects your personality? With a little creativity and some simple DIY techniques, you can transform ordinary hats into stylish accessories that are sure to turn heads. Whether you prefer embroidery, tie-dye, or something else, there’s a design out there for everyone. So let’s dive into 10 exciting summer hat designs that you can easily make at home, no special skills required! So, it’s time to get your craft room ready!
Cricut & press customization
Customizing a hat with the Cricut EasyPress is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your summer accessories. Bear in mind that you’ll need specialist tools for this. So if you don’t already have a Cricut Maker and a Cricut Easypress, this may not be the project for you. If you do have both of these, check out the tutorial on how to create a design and transfer it onto fabric here. This works best for cotton bucket hats and it’s a great way to personalize it!
Once your design is ready, preheat the Cricut EasyPress to the recommended temperature for cotton fabric. Place your hat on a flat surface, position the design on the hat, and apply gentle pressure with the EasyPress for the specified time. Peel off the carrier sheet, and voila! You’ve got a custom-designed bucket hat ready to rock.
Embroidery
Embroidering your cotton hat or your cap is a classic and elegant way to add a personal touch. All you need is an embroidery hoop, needle, embroidery floss, and your favorite design. Stretch the hat over the embroidery hoop, transfer your design onto the fabric, and start stitching away. Whether it’s a simple monogram or an intricate pattern, embroidery adds a unique charm to your summer hat that reflects your creativity and style.
Tie-dye cotton hats
This works best with bucket hats for beginners. Tie-dyeing your cotton hat is a fun and vibrant way to inject some color into your summer wardrobe. To start, dampen your hat and lay it flat. Twist or fold the fabric as desired, then secure it with rubber bands. Apply your chosen dye colors generously, ensuring each section is thoroughly saturated. Let it sit for several hours before rinsing. This is a wonderful summer activity to do with your children.
Crochet a bucket hat
Crocheting a bucket hat is not only a creative endeavor but also a sustainable choice when using eco-friendly yarn. You can craft a stylish and environmentally-conscious accessory for sunny days ahead.
Use basic crochet stitches like single crochet and double crochet to form the body of the hat, gradually increasing stitches to achieve the desired size and shape. Add a brim for sun protection and voila!
Customize your hat belt
Why keep the same hat all summer when you can adjust it to your style? If your hat has a belt, this is your sign to start making changeable belts. This is a brilliant way to customize your look while adding versatility to your accessories.
You can crochet belts in various styles, such as braided, single-color, or patterned, allowing you to easily swap them out to match different outfits. If you don’t crochet- don’t worry! What about a beautiful beaded belt? I’ve seen some stunning natural stone belts to inject some color. Or a ribbon could work as well for a fast and easy switch.
This simple yet effective technique ensures your hat effortlessly coordinates with your summer wardrobe, giving you endless styling options for every occasion.
Make a reversible bucket hat
Making a reversible bucket hat from scratch may sound daunting, but it’s much simpler than it appears. Begin by selecting two complementary fabrics, ensuring they’re lightweight and suitable for summer wear.
Use a basic bucket hat pattern as a guide, cutting out two hat shapes from each fabric. Sew the pieces together, leaving a small opening to turn the hat right side out. Press the seams and topstitch around the brim for a polished finish. With this straightforward process, you’ll have a stylish reversible bucket hat in no time!
Use heat transfers
If you don’t have a Critcut, heat transfers are a great option. Adding iron-on transfers to your cap or other cotton-based hat is a simple and beginner-friendly method. So, if you are not confident with a sewing machine or a Critcut, this is the project for you.
Did you know you could also create custom transfer designs? The best part? You can easily customize the transfers to reflect your personality, making it a fun and personalized craft for all skill levels.
Paint the cap under the brim
For those who enjoy airbrushing and are confident at it, you could paint the under brim of your cap. This project is best suited for caps or similar structured hats. Graffiti enthusiasts and airbrushing aficionados, this is the ultimate DIY project to show off your skills.
Check out this tutorial explaining how to prepare your hat and how to use stencils with airbrushing. One word of warning: This can get really messy really fast if you’re not careful, so this is a project you want to start outside or in a safe workshop. It’s definitely not something you should be doing on the kitchen table!
Paint your straw hat
You don’t need to use airbrushing to paint. Painting your straw hat is a fantastic way to breathe new life into an old favorite or add a pop of color to a plain accessory. For this project, you’ll need acrylic paint, paintbrushes, painter’s tape, and a clear sealant.
Start by cleaning your straw hat to remove any dirt or debris. Then, use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want to paint. Apply thin coats of acrylic paint, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next. Multiple thin coats ensure a smooth and even finish.
Another idea to personalize your straw hat is by gluing or sewing letters on with a thin ribbon or sequin ribbon. There are endless possibilities!
Adding accessories to your hat
Adding little ears to your hat, like Mickey Mouse ears to a cap, is a delightful way to infuse some whimsy into your headwear. Most tutorials available online for this project are no-sew, making it incredibly easy and accessible for crafters of all levels.
You’ll typically need materials like felt or fabric for the ears, along with a hot glue gun or fabric glue for attaching them securely to your hat. This works with fun Mickey Mouse ears, but you can also try out cat or dog ears too! Another fun idea is to add some faux flowers or a large bow.
Hopefully, these few ideas can encourage you to dig into your craft drawer and pimp up your summer hat!
