The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner! One of the most recognizable fashion statements of the event is the iconic big hat. If you don't have your hat, here's one you can make for pennies (and still win big). These hats are made with newspaper, a can of spray paint, masking tape, a glue gun, and thrift shop flowers! P.S. I'm originally from Kentucky, so I take Derby Day very seriously. ;)
My sister and I with the finished product!
Here's what you'll need:
- Newspaper
- Flowers
- Wire cutters
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Spray paint
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Tarp (for spray painting)
- A friend to help you tape the the newspaper hat around your head (the taping only takes 5 minutes or so)
Use ten sheets of newspaper laid out flat. Fan them out so you will see the points on your hat.
Place the newspaper on someone's head carefully and have them gently bring the ends of the paper down so you can make the headband with masking tape. I find if you tape it too high the hat will be shallow and won't stay on your head. I usually imagine where the brow would be and tape it there.
It's easiest if your friend can sit in a chair so you can walk around freely and tape the band. Try to tape the hat band snugly so the hat will fit better. Gently slip the hat off the head and carefully turn the points of the newspaper upward. I like to make it asymmetrical to give it interest, but you can mold the hat in any shape. Use a mirror and try the hat on so you can see how it looks as you're working on it. Make sure you turn it up high in the front around the face, because as you glue the flowers on it will become heavier and might start drooping down. I always work on the front first but sometimes you need to glue the flowers on the back of the hat band to distribute the weight properly. The heavier larger flowers are better closer to the head and the lighter flower sprays and greenery are best towards the outside of the hat. The flowers are the best part, so don't skimp!
Using a tarp, spray paint the hats with a light finish. It's fun to let some of the newspaper show through. Be careful not to saturate the hat with too much paint or it will lose it's form and get droopy. I like to hold the hat when spraying it so I can get some of the color underneath. I put most of the heavy color on the crown of the hat for the statement and then light color on the brim. Have fun with it!
It's good to let the hat dry upside down so the points stay in place as the paint dries. I place the hat in a plastic bucket or if you don't have a bucket just put it upside down on the tarp. After an hour of drying in the sun you can flip it over and let it dry completely on a paint can or something that keeps it off the tarp. While the paint dries clip the stems off of the silk flowers with florist or jewelry wire cutters. I usually leave an inch or so of the stem. Cut some of the greenery off so its easier to glue on the hat.
After the hat is completely dry, it's fun to choose the flowers you like and place them on the hat. I take a quick photo with my phone so I can refer back to it to for placement of the flowers. Its good to have a mirror handy ( I used a full length one and just sat in front of it as I glued the flowers on) You can try the hat on and look in the mirror so you can see where to glue them. As you add the flowers the hat might become heavier. If this happens, glue back the pieces of newspaper to each other so it frames your face and doesn't fall forward. You can even glue a piece back to the crown of the hat for an upward sweep on one side.
This would be a fun thing to do if you're hosting a Derby party, it's laid back, creative and sure to be a crowd-pleaser... whether your horse wins or not!
If you make a hat be sure to share it with us! Tag your photo on instagram with #palmbeachthriftersDerbyHat to share your beautiful creation. We'd love to see what you come up with!
Happy Derby!
Great blog Ambie❗️❗️Your hats are awesome- truly Derby winners❗️
Posted by: Midge | 05/03/2016 at 09:18 AM