Derby Hat Fit for a Stylish Summer Wedding

If you need a hat fit for the races, or even a flashy chapeau for a quirky wedding, bet on this one. Make it your own by choosing unique feathers and accessories.

Here's what you'll need ...

• A plastic, felt lined top hat -- www.partycity.com
• Gold and turquoise acrylic paint
• 1 spool of ribbon
• Dark string or twine
• Scissors
• E6000 Glue -- www.michaels.com
• Embossed paper -- www.michaels.com
• Small brass charms -- www.michaels.com
• Feathers -- www.michaels.com

You'll also need ...

• 1 - 2 Preval Sprayers -- www.amazon.com
• Sandpaper
• Needle and thread
• Seam ripper
• Pinking shears

Pour 1 ounce of gold acrylic paint and 2 ounces of water into the Preval Sprayer jar. Cap, shake and attach the spray can. Next, give the embossed paper a vintage look by spraying a coat of gold metallic paint onto the sheet. (We used Metallic "Gold" by Martha Stewart Crafts.) Variations of light and dark areas add an interesting effect.

While the paper dries, prepare another Preval Sprayer with turquoise acrylic paint. (We used "Bleu Calypso" by Folk Art.) Spray a light, uneven coat onto the brass charms. Then flip them over to spray the other side. Once the paint is dry, lightly sand the charms to leave a vintage look of patina.

Cut three pieces of twine and tie several charms to each. Then, bundle the strands and tie them together.

Next, lay ribbon on top of the embossed paper and, leaving a couple of inches exposed, cut it across the full length. Do this twice. You’ll end up with two strips of paper. Add interest to the two pieces of paper by cutting across them again with pinking shears, which will leave a neatly jagged pattern across the top. Glue the paper end-to-end onto the hat using E6000 Glue.

Set these aside and pierce two small horizontal holes in the side of your plastic top hat. (Shown on video.) To do this, use a seam ripper, the end of pointed scissors or an awl. Next, thread a needle and pull it through from the inside of the hat to the outside. Hold the feathers in place, wrap the thread around the stems and thread it through the second hole. Repeat the threading process a couple more times, and tie a knot to secure your feathers.

To finish your hat, glue the widest ribbon around the circumference, and over the embossed paper. Then, glue on a thinner ribbon, in a contrasting color. Next, attach the charms, also securing them to the hat with a needle and thread. Embellish your fancy chapeau with other accents to further personalize it.

We'd love to see your hat creations. Leave a comment with a link below!