DIY Stitched Hat

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

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)

Leave a Comment

56 Comments

  1. Katie wrote:

    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

    8.2.11
    Reply
  2. crlsweetie912 wrote:

    OMG This is sick! And super easy. GREAT JOB!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  3. Shelby wrote:

    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

    8.2.11
    Reply
  4. Love it! Another great DIY. Love the WTF embroidered in there.

    Fashionable Collections

    8.2.11
    Reply
  5. Nicole wrote:

    Great idea!

    Kisses from Hong Kong,
    Nicole

    8.2.11
    Reply
  6. Julian wrote:

    That looks fantastic!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  7. I love this! It totally makes me want to buy a fedora just to do this!

    http://taintedholograms.blogspot.com/

    8.2.11
    Reply
  8. It was so cute! I love to know!
    Have a lovely day!
    Xoxo
    Susie
    http://www.myfashionview.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  9. such a good idea! hahha I love the ” WTF”

    http://www.dragonnfruit.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  10. Kristina wrote:

    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/

    8.2.11
    Reply
  11. blondehaus wrote:

    Such a creative and simple idea! I love it. I love all of your DIY stuff. Keep posting!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  12. I lov your idea!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  13. lauren wrote:
    8.2.11
    Reply
  14. This is beyond cool and original! Love this idea, need to try it asap!! xx

    8.2.11
    Reply
  15. Karissa wrote:

    So cute! Thanks for sharing.

    8.2.11
    Reply
  16. Chelsea wrote:

    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.

    8.2.11
    Reply
  17. this looks really good, nice work

    x

    http://theglitterpost.wordpress.com/

    8.2.11
    Reply
  18. Audrey wrote:

    Ohh what a great idea!!! I’ll try this soon on mine!;))
    Thank you for the great tutorials !^^

    8.2.11
    Reply
  19. sara wrote:

    I love this, defo gonna give it a try. Thanks!

    http://www.beautifulstreets.blogspot.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  20. angie wrote:

    you guys have the best DIYs! Keep ’em comin’!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  21. Lia wrote:

    Love it! Click on my name to see all of my DIY jewelry projects!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  22. Lia wrote:

    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

    8.2.11
    Reply
  23. Ambyr wrote:

    This is super cute! I only own 1 hat but never wear it. This is perfect for summer.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  24. Sanne wrote:

    That looks great! 🙂

    8.2.11
    Reply
  25. That looks great! What an cool idea!

    http://thedailytiara.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  26. Jo Martine wrote:

    Love it! Check out Stiitch.net. Unique designs from up and coming designers.

    8.2.11
    Reply
  27. Jules wrote:

    What a clever project…
    Loving what your doing here!

    Styleanthem.blogspot.com

    8.2.11
    Reply
  28. 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!!

    8.2.11
    Reply
  29. Aylin wrote:

    This hat looks great, I love this, very funny project
    yasaminkimyasi.blogspot.com

    8.3.11
    Reply
  30. Mary Wallace wrote:

    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

    8.3.11
    Reply
  31. this is great! i’ve lately become a hat person, never used to be my thing and now i can’t get enough!

    xdailyweakly

    8.4.11
    Reply
  32. Lucía wrote:

    Looks really cool, too bad I don’t really like hats

    8.4.11
    Reply
  33. tam wrote:

    I love this sooooo much!!! thanks!!!!

    8.4.11
    Reply
  34. et zou wrote:

    bravo !!

    8.6.11
    Reply
  35. Ludmi wrote:

    Love it!!!!

    8.9.11
    Reply
  36. Nomadic D wrote:

    Crikey! Another ridiculously simple, ridiculously awesome diy! And that’s why I love you guys.

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    8.14.11
    Reply
  37. Laura wrote:

    nice work – and it’s so easy… thanks for the inspiration!

    8.25.11
    Reply
  38. Caitlin wrote:

    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

    1.10.12
    Reply
  39. Heather wrote:

    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!

    3.21.12
    Reply
  40. Becka wrote:

    This is a Lola millinery hat. She is based out of NYC

    6.21.12
    Reply
  41. jasmina wrote:

    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!

    9.1.12
    Reply
  42. regina umali wrote:

    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 🙂

    11.25.12
    Reply
  43. nice creative arts thanks for sharing !!!!!!!

    9.11.16
    Reply
  44. william wrote:

    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.

    9.16.22
    Reply