If I had a nickel for every time my mom has warned “the sun is not your friend,” I could retire tomorrow. Honestly. Instead, my closet is full of sun hats, fedoras, cowboy hats, visors, and various other sun shielding apparati. While it may not suffice as an alternative to sunscreen, kudos to Lola Ehrlich for transforming a simple straw hat into a chic stitched fedora and inspiring us to add a little pizzaz to one of our many hats!
Supplies List
- a straw hat or fedora
- embroidery floss
- an embroidery needle
- a pair of scissors
Start by cutting the ribbon or band off the hat. Thread the needle with the entire skein of embroidery thread, doubling up on the thread. (Click images to enlarge)
Pull the thread through the back side of the hat, leaving an inch of slack. Stitch from the front to the back and double knot the end of the thread.
Using the brim as a guide, start stitching along the edge of the hat. After stitching a single row, continue stitching a second and optional third row. Tie the end of the thread to the starter knot and trim if necessary.
Pick another color and stitch several rows along the band of the hat.
Give it some character by adding a little something along the band . . . why not?
Your stitched fedora is finished! Enjoy!
(top photo from here, rest of images by Honestly…WTF)
This is seriously gorgeous, what a great idea. I’m getting out my thread to give it a go!
xo Katie
http://www.katieladyloo.blogspot.com
OMG This is sick! And super easy. GREAT JOB!
This is such a great idea! I don’t own enough hats, mostly because I’m never quite sold on the ribbons or flowers or other stuff they put on them. I love that you deconstructed and personalized it!! <3shelby
http://www.makemesparkly.blogspot.com
Love it! Another great DIY. Love the WTF embroidered in there.
Fashionable Collections
Great idea!
Kisses from Hong Kong,
Nicole
That looks fantastic!
I love this! It totally makes me want to buy a fedora just to do this!
http://taintedholograms.blogspot.com/
It was so cute! I love to know!
Have a lovely day!
Xoxo
Susie
http://www.myfashionview.com
such a good idea! hahha I love the ” WTF”
http://www.dragonnfruit.com
Such a unique way to spice up a fedora! It would be awesome if you did it in multi-colored threads – even neon threads!
Kristina
http://spottedappeal.blogspot.com/
Such a creative and simple idea! I love it. I love all of your DIY stuff. Keep posting!
I lov your idea!
WTF?
awesome!
L
http://www.thesphinxandthemilkywat.com
Super cool!
http://www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com
This is beyond cool and original! Love this idea, need to try it asap!! xx
So cute! Thanks for sharing.
I am the “stay away from the sun” fanatic in my family. I have quite the hat collection, but my straw fedora was crushed, and I was heartbroken…. Needless to say this project is perfect.
this looks really good, nice work
x
http://theglitterpost.wordpress.com/
Ohh what a great idea!!! I’ll try this soon on mine!;))
Thank you for the great tutorials !^^
I love this, defo gonna give it a try. Thanks!
http://www.beautifulstreets.blogspot.com
you guys have the best DIYs! Keep ’em comin’!
Love it! Click on my name to see all of my DIY jewelry projects!
I love this! Such a great idea, can’t believe no one’s thought of this! Yall are so creative, I love it!
xoxo
Lia
This is super cute! I only own 1 hat but never wear it. This is perfect for summer.
xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com
That looks great! 🙂
That looks great! What an cool idea!
http://thedailytiara.com
Love it! Check out Stiitch.net. Unique designs from up and coming designers.
What a clever project…
Loving what your doing here!
Styleanthem.blogspot.com
haha I love the photo of your “WTF” hat! Ha love it. Perfect name for a blog! Love the idea too by the way; its fabulous!!
This hat looks great, I love this, very funny project
yasaminkimyasi.blogspot.com
this is so awesome! can I get the exact brand/make of the hat you have stitched? i like the open weave better than the one you’ve hyperlinked ….thanks so much
this is great! i’ve lately become a hat person, never used to be my thing and now i can’t get enough!
xdailyweakly
Looks really cool, too bad I don’t really like hats
I love this sooooo much!!! thanks!!!!
bravo !!
Love it!!!!
Crikey! Another ridiculously simple, ridiculously awesome diy! And that’s why I love you guys.
http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/
nice work – and it’s so easy… thanks for the inspiration!
This is awesome! I have just done my own, but used red and cream embroidery thread on the bream and small red pom pom trim around the band. So pleased with the result! Thanks for the inspiration xx
HINT : Another way to secure your floss: (1) Thread both floss ends together through the needle’s eye, which will create a long, dangling loop. (2) Leave a small part of this loop on the inside of the hat when you begin your first stitch; (3) then after you return through the fabric to the backside of your project, slip the needle through that loop; and (4) pull tight to secure your thread at the same time as you complete your first stitch! No knot needed. 🙂
Great idea for the hat, by the way!
This is a Lola millinery hat. She is based out of NYC
http://www.toryburch-onsale.com
felt inspired by this fantastic project and descided to embroider my whole hat. i felt very stylish and unique on holiday!
thanks for the idea!
Hi, I also made a DIY hat here:
http://thinkerbellethoughts.blogspot.com/2012/11/diy-project-1-straw-hat-w-ribbon-accents.html
I got inspired by some other blog..but I find yours inspiring too..;)
hope you check it out! I am planning to make other stuff here too 🙂
nice creative arts thanks for sharing !!!!!!!
In today’s world, it’s all about DIY. From décor to clothes, everyone is looking to save a few bucks by taking matters into their own hands. Hats are no exception. With a little time and effort, you can create a one-of-a-kind stitched cowgirl hat that will be the envy of all your friends.