A great hat finishes an outfit faster than anything else in the closet, and making one is easier than most people think. These 12 DIY hats run from beginner friendly to a real sewing project. Some are quick upgrades to a hat you already own, like sequin script on a straw sun hat or crystals on a baseball cap. Others are sewn from scratch with a free pattern, like a floppy fedora, a reversible bucket hat or a cozy beret for winter. There is even a felt pillbox that needs nothing more than a strip, a circle and basic stitching. Pick one for the next party, Derby day or beach trip, then pair it with a few DIY clothes for fall or something cozy from these DIY winter clothes.
1. Make a Simple Pillbox Hat
A vintage style pillbox hat needs no expensive millinery supplies, just craft felt and basic sewing skills. Cut a strip 26 inches long by 5 inches wide for the band and an 8 inch circle for the crown. Pin the crown to the band and stitch around, then fold the band in half to the inside and tack it down with small invisible stitches. A decorative line of topstitching finishes it. Add veiling, flowers or ribbon, or leave it sweetly plain.
Get the full tutorial at Va-Voom Vintage.
2. Paper DIY Kentucky Derby Hat
This oversized Kentucky Derby hat is sculpted entirely from paper, with a huge sweeping brim and a cluster of white paper orchids on top. It was started on a Friday night to wear the next day, for a Derby party with a prize for the largest hat, and it ended up the unofficial photo prop of the event. There is no step by step pattern for it yet, so treat it as inspiration for a paper bonnet of your own. The handmade orchids are what make it.
Get the full tutorial at Lia Griffith.
3. DIY Custom Fedora
A plain straw fedora gets a custom band with nothing more than embroidery floss and a needle. Cut off the old band, double the floss for thickness and stitch a pattern straight into the straw from the inside. A herringbone stitch in navy, then a second pass in white, gives a classic preppy look. Sketch the design on paper before starting, since freehand stitching is how the first two attempts ended up cut out. Choosing thread colors is the hardest part.
Get the full tutorial at Hi Sugarplum!.
4. Sequin Script Sun Hat
Designer sun hats with sequin phrases sell for hundreds, and this copycat comes in under $50. A wide brim straw hat, a few rolls of black sequin trim and a hot glue gun do the work. Practice the phrase in loose cursive on paper first, then pencil or use disappearing ink to write it on the brim. Glue the trim along the lines a little at a time. Pick something fun like Rosé all day, Beach please or Vacay all day.
Get the full tutorial at The Southern Gloss.
5. Floral Trucker Hat DIY
A blank trucker hat gets a floral front with a free template, a scrap of fabric and some hand stitching. Knit fabric works a bit more smoothly than woven, but either one is fine. Cut the template on the fold over the prettiest part of the print, sew a dart at the center top and press under a quarter inch all around. Then slip stitch the fabric over the white front panel. It is a great way to show off a favorite print.
Get the full tutorial at see kate sew.
6. DIY Fedora Hat
This fedora is sewn from lightweight denim, with heavy interfacing and buckram giving it real body so the brim does not flop. The pattern fits a 20.5 inch head with 3/8 inch seams and can be resized for anyone. Plan on about a third of a yard of main fabric, a quarter yard for lining and 22 inches of 1 inch grosgrain ribbon for the band. Buckram lives near the canvas and interfacing at the fabric store. It makes a great photo prop.
Get the full tutorial at Melly Sews.
7. Make A Floppy Fedora
A floppy fedora is the hat for farmers markets, beach days and everything in between, and this free pattern comes with a regular or extra large brim. It fits an average 22.5 inch head with a half inch seam allowance. Supplies are 1 3/4 yards of bottom weight or upholstery fabric, a yard of heavyweight fusible fleece and half a yard of 2 inch grosgrain ribbon. Cut the side panels on the bias so they curve smoothly around the head.
Get the full tutorial at WeAllSew.
8. DIY Fez Hat
A red felt fez with a black tassel is a costume classic, and this one is sewn from scratch with a paper pattern. Red felt, stiff interfacing or cardboard, red thread and braided nylon cord for the tassel cover the supplies. It is left unlined, though felt or any soft fabric makes a nice lining. It works for costumes, fancy dress, pretend play and themed parties. For a quick kids version, cardboard and glue stand in for the sewing.
Get the full tutorial at Colors of our Rainbow.
9. DIY Paper Towel Roll Mini Top Hats
One empty paper towel roll becomes five adorable mini top hats. Spray paint the tube black, mark it into pieces about 2 1/4 inches tall and cut carefully with an X-Acto knife so the tube does not crease. Give the pieces a second coat to cover any rough edges. Black card stock makes the top circle and a 2 1/2 inch brim, and a strip of colored card stock becomes the hatband. Perfect for party favors, photo props or a New Year’s table.
Get the full tutorial at A Bride On A Budget.
10. Bedazzled Cap
A plain baseball cap turns into a crystal studded statement piece, inspired by a designer cap that was backordered until November. Gray and navy caps work as a base. Secure each gem with super strong E6000 glue, and use a bobby pin to place the small crystals accurately. For a starburst effect, pack the gems tightly in the middle of the front panel and space them out more as they move toward the edges. Let the glue cure fully before wearing.
Get the full tutorial at Refinery29.
11. Reversible Bucket Hat
A reversible bucket hat is a quick sew, and a couple of small changes make it even easier. Interface the top, sides and brim of one fabric with medium interfacing so the hat stands up instead of slumping. Leave a 2 inch gap in one side seam of the other fabric for turning. Clip the curves generously and pin often, since the side panels and brim need coaxing to fit the crown. Matching hats in different sizes for siblings are extra cute.
Get the full tutorial at mommy sew pretty.
12. Easy Beret Hat
A cozy winter beret comes together with two kitchen plates as the only pattern. Trace a 12 inch plate for two circles in wool or a felt like fabric and two in a cotton or silky lining. Cut a 6.5 inch hole from the center of one of each to make a doughnut, then add a band about 23 by 2 inches. Measure your head first and adjust the hole and band to fit. Sew it up like a lined bag.
Get the full tutorial at Sew Very Crafty.
