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Party Hats 101

by 45 Comments

Since you asked, and since I’m still feeling quite celebratory, today I bring you my super top secret, laziest easiest party hat how-to in the world.  Because, let’s face it, the party hat was pretty darn cute, no?
So, go collect your things.  You’ll need a 12×12 sheet of cardstock (cute cardstock, please!), one cheapy pre-made party hat, 1 strip of scrap fabric 1.5″ x 24″, 1 piece of scrap fabric to make the bow, 1 piece of ribbon, spray adhesive, and your trusty hot glue gun.
Take apart the pre-made party hat and lay it out flat on your cardstock; both the hat and the cardstock should be face down.  Trace around the hat (I did not include the tab when I traced the hat).  Cut it out.
Reassemble the party hat.  Apply spray adhesive to the wrong side of the cardstock.  Carefully wrap the cardstock hat around the party hat and press into place.  If there is any excess hat showing, trim it!
Next, take the long strip of fabric and run it through your sewing machine straight down the center.  I like to turn the tension all the way up and the stitch length as long as possible so that the machine ruffles the fabric for me.  You can also set it on a long stitch and then pull the threads yourself to ruffle the fabric.  Either way, be sure you leave enough thread on both ends so that you can adjust the length of your ruffle to wrap all the way around the base of the party hat.
Once you have your ruffle, all you have to do is hot glue it on to the hat!  I start at the back so that the two sides joining together are not obvious and I run a bead of hot glue right along where the center of the strip will sit.  Work a small section at a time.
Now, here’s the trickiest part.  And might I add that the lazier your approach, the better here.  I discovered how well laziness works when I was trying to finish the original hat at 2 am and my eyes were a total blur and I couldn’t think straight about how to make a fabric bow.  Anyhow, I used a rectangle of fabric and then just folded each side under and hot glued it into place to make the edges look finished; at 2 am, I just couldn’t sit down at my sewing machine anymore.  After your edges are “hemmed” into a nice finished rectangle, tie your ribbon in a knot around the fabric on the front side to make a “bow.”
Hot glue it onto the hat and you’re done!
For extra cuteness, please coordinate the fabric on the hat with your birthday girl’s party dress (more on the dress tomorrow).
  Also, try to remember to put the hat on the party girl before everyone starts singing the birthday song and you miss your chance.  Hey, at least I got it on her for a couple pictures while she was eating her cake! 

Comments

  4. Secret Garden Cottage says

    Hi Stef,
    I came over via Londen @ Sixty-Fifth Ave. I’m so glad I did. What a wonderful treat it is to look at all these fabulous party ideas!! You are soooo talented! The cake and cupcakes are absolutely adorable, and those party hats, too!!
    Your daughters look so sweet dressed in their party dresses! 🙂
    Everything is just perfect for a little girls birthday party!
    Hope you’re having a wonderful week so far!
    ~ Jo

    Reply

  5. Secret Garden Cottage says

    Hi again, Stef! I’m so glad you came to visit, and thanks so much for all your sweet comments about my blog! 🙂
    I know what you mean…my husband is working, too, and never seems to find the time to go blogging around the internet (our poor hubbies!). 🙂
    Good luck on your treasure hunting!
    ~ Jo

    Reply

  6. Sew Fun! says

    your hats are darlings…as is everything else you created for your daughter’s special party! i found your blog by way of Tasha @ Creation Corner..so glad she sent me your way…i am following your blog now..can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
    xo

    Reply

  7. Persians and Pulitzer says

    These are beautiful!! Hmm I turn 26 next March, am I too old for these? hehe I’ll always be a little girl at heart.

    Reply

  8. Jane says

    Hi again! Those are just the cutest little party hats EVER!! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments. I’m following you now to see what bit of cuteness you come up with next! 🙂

    Reply

  12. Jenn Seratt says

    I saw this on Someday Crafts Whatever Goes Wednesday! They are so cute! I’m planning my own birthday party and may just have to use these for all the big “kids”.

    Reply

  14. Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden says

    So sweet! I love the paper and fabric you picked! Perfect!

    Thanks so much for sharing at My Backyard Eden!

    ~Carolyn

    Reply

  20. the lovely paper shop says

    loving this idea! so so so cute! we are having a birthday week at our blog next week and this would be perfect! let me know if you like to join in on the fun and be featured!
    lovelypapershop(at)gmail(dot)com

    ps. i am your newest follower!

    Reply

  28. Farah says

    CUTEST thing you did. Love Love and Love… although my kids are elder now but I love to mqake them for someone darling….. its really make my day happy. These birthday caps make m,e smile. lovely

    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Its my blog , please pay a visit there I hope you will find something interesting..Love and once again thanks for sharing

    Reply

  38. Alison @ makeitworkordowithout.blogspot.com says

    These are so cute. I am having a Tea for 2 birthday party for my soon-to-be 2 year old next month. These would be perfect!

    Reply

  43. hermes bag outlet says

    selling prices so waterproof jackets are the best answers for you. You also buy any makes cheap prada handbags as a gift which will be remembered for a very long time. If you are not able obtain any types of chanel bag online from the authentic brand they attempt low cost designers hermes handbags online just for 1 time.

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  44. Hannapat says

    They are gorgeous. Decided to do some party hats with ruffles and google’d it and here is the most gorgeous tutorial I could ask for and right to my style. Thanks look forward to making them. Xxx

    Reply

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