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 & Reviews
Creegers says
These are darling! You are so talented, Stef. Really REALLY cute!
Sarah @ 365 Glimpses of John Parker says
Yay! So happy to try these (without the ruffle of course!) Thanks!
Summer says
These are to die for! I will be featuring them on my blog next Thursday!
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!
Sumo
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
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
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
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.
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! 🙂
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
These are adorable! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Ana Paula@ Get Craftin says
Hello I’m your newest follower from My Backyard Eden! Cute blog you have, The HATS ARE AMAZING!! Have a grand ol’ day!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
This project made me heart go pitter pat. Well done.
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”.
mle says
your hats are so sweet! : )
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
The Autocrat: Haley says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! You did a fabulous job!! The tiny dog looks dashing!!
michelle@somedaycrafts says
Darling! Darling! Darling! Featuring these at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
greenbean says
too stinkin’ cute!…love these!…once i learn to sew, i’m going to totally make ’em!…
gnee says
Your Party Hats made this week’s Top 5 Hits at Singing With Birds. Come check it out at
http://singingwithbirds.blogspot.com
CRAZYMOM says
This is so cute and the fabric you chose makes it even better!
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!
The Girl Creative says
Those are soooo cute! I absolutely love them!!! 🙂
Anna Liesemeyer says
so happy to find your blog and this tutorial! Bookmarking:)
Makalani Adolpho, PLC says
Soooo ca-ute! I {heart} these hats. Might just have to make one becasue!
kraftenkrazy3 says
Hey! Love your site! Love the party hats too! I gave you the stylish blogger award. Drop by and check it out!
Vanessa from
The Sew*er, The Caker, The CopyCat Maker @
http://sewcakemake.blogspot.com
Sandra says
SHut UP! These are the cutest!!!
Faith says
These are SO very cute!!!!
seen on A Few of My Favorite Things blog
{ L } says
Wow, Wow, Wow!!! These are adorable and I’m so excited about this. 😀 😀 Thank you
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
MessyMissy says
Holey moley that is cute!! I am SO going to try this!!
Heather says
These are so super cute, I love that they coordinate with your daughter’s dress.
Krista@thegatheringplacedesign says
So beyond adorable! You are talented…great job!
Julie says
These are just darling! Love them.
pweaks says
These came out great!!! Love the fabric you used.
Donene says
So, so cute! I love the ruffles! Visiting from the CSI Project!
Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says
Those hats are just adorable!! I LOVE them! Thanks for linking up!
XOXO
Jen
Molly @ The Creative Maven says
These are really beautiful!
Tara says
AWESOMENESS! 🙂 These are adorable and so simple. Thank you for sharing!
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!
Jennifer says
I love these hats!! So cute! Visiting from CSI project. Stop by my blog sometime!
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/
Jessica says
Absolutely adorable! I am in love with these party hats. Thank you for sharing.
Cole's Corner says
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
I made one of these for my nieces’ birthday and linked to you on my blog.
http://www.coles-corner-and-creations.com/2011/04/alyssa-turns-2.html
Erin says
where did you find your cute cardstock paper and your fabric? Please tell!
Thanks!! Love them!
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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