A few weeks ago, I was watching a home tour on YouTube. The house was cute, but all I could think about was the amazing rainbow embroidered hat the homeowner was wearing! So I got to researching and found the rainbow hat, but it is $1775! Too rich for my blood. So I got to thinking? Could I make one?
P.s. here’s the home tour video below. I love to watch these while I eat lunch! If you ever need some inspiration, check a few out.
how to make a rainbow embroidered hat
Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:
If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. I’d be over the moon happy if you subscribed to my YouTube channel! Videos are actually released on YouTube first (usually the night before they’re published on the blog). Thank you!
SUPPLIES
- Embroidery Floss. I was going for a pastel rainbow of colors and selected these:
- 3733 Dusty Pink, 3716 Light Dusty Pink, 963 Ultra Light Dusty Pink, 3824 Light Apricot, 3823 Ultra Pure Yellow, 3822 Light Straw, 3821 Straw, 563 Light Jade, 564 Very Light Jade, 369 Very Light Pistachio Green, 3753 Ultra Light Antique Blue, 3752 Very Light Antique Blue, 3755 Baby Blue, 553 Violet, 554 Light Violet, 3727 Light Antique Mauve.
- Embroidery Needle
- Dual Purpose Marking Pen
- Sewing Gauge
- Felt Hat
I paid $26 in supplies. Not too bad considering I’m trying to get the look of a $1775 hat!
step 1- steam
Start by steaming the hat. Mine came in the mail super crumpled. I couldn’t find my steamer, so I used the steam function on my iron to get the hat back to its original shape.
P.s. I realized this dress is ripped by looking at this photos. So sad!
step 2- Plan for spacing
Next, Figure out spacing for each color, On my hat, it worked out to allow for 1 3/4″ for 16 colors. Use a water soluble marker and a ruler to mark spaces 1 3/4″ apart. Make sure the water soluble marker comes off before using it on the hat.
step 3- mark where stitches start
And now, mark where the stitches should end. Use the same water soluble marker and a sewing gauge to create a line around the inside perimeter of the hat so that the stitches can start and end at the same point.
It’s things like this and the last step that will make the hat look as professional and neat as possible.
step 4- start stitching
Finally, it’s time to start stitching! Cut a strand of embroidery thread. I like to find the loose end at the top of the package and pull it gently so that the packaging stays on (this prevents the floss from becoming one big knot). I pulled 5 arm lengths of string and that was usually enough for one color to fill the allotted space. Make a knot in the end of the embroidery thread.
Note, I didn’t thin out the embroidery floss, I used all 6 strands that make up main strand.
Start the first stitch at the bottom of the hat closest to the inside. This is the place where the knot will be the least visible. Then keep stitching with that color. Make lengths a random length and ensure that the stitches always end on the marked line.
After the color has filled the allotted space, tie a knot and cut off any excess embroidery floss. Try to be as neat as possible since the knot might be visible.
Note, each color took me about 15 minutes to stitch. That meant that the whole hat took at least 4 hours to stitch.
I did mine in two days, but it could definitely be enjoyed over a longer period (especially since my fingers hurt from pushing so hard through the felt over and over). This is a slow project.
Tip- I liked working on a table because I could lay the hat flat and make sure the stitching wasn’t causing the hat to lay crooked.
This was a really fun project to work on. It came to life and I was so excited to see it slowly becoming a more pastel version of the inspiration image!
step 5- clean up
For the last step, I took a damp rag and wiped off the blue marker along the brim of that hat. The water soluble marker wiped right off. The below picture is before wiping 😉
after
Here is how the hat turned out! I love it! I am happily surprised at how much it looks like the inspiration.
Next, I thought I’d show the bottom too. You can see the knots, but when it’s on I don’t think they’re that obvious.
The hat is happy and for being rainbow, it’s subtle and sweet.
It took me 5-6 hours to make and I really cherish it. It’s special and different. I’m so glad I took the time to make it!
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creativelybeth says
Ashley you are just so DANG creative!
I’d love for you to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party-54/
Followed and Pinned! 🙂
Creatively, Beth
Savannah Cyree says
Just ordered everything! Can’t wait to make this. Thank you for the detailed tutorial.
Ashley Wilson says
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know!
Meg says
Where did you order the hat? Did i miss that??
Ashley Wilson says
Hi Meg, it’s listed under supplies. I’ll link it for you here too- https://bit.ly/3jniavH
Shami Immanuel says
Hat looks lovely.
helenfern says
I love the colors on this hat! Great post. I’d be so honored if you shared it on the Share the Wealth Party at My Big Fat Menopausal life.
http://bigfatmenopausallife.blogspot.com/2021/09/share-wealth-ii-second-installment-of.html
creativelybeth says
Thanks for sharing at the Creative Crafts Linky Party, Ashley. We are featuring you this week! This hat is STUNNING!