How to Make "Cute" Party Hats

Last night I taught a very small class at a women's night at my church.  There were several "classes"  The theme of the night was "DIY Thrifty Party/Shower Decorations".  Sounds right up my alley, right.  It might have something to do with the fact that I am in charge of planning these nights.  Anyway this time I taught a class too.  I showed how to make cute party hats like the one I made for Lotte when she turned one.
As I was making them and preparing for the class I realized I never gave a step by step tutorial here.  They are easy and pretty quick.

 First buy the cheapest party hats you can find.  I am using left over hats from Oak's birthday. He did NOT want me to change them at all!   I found some hats yesterday at the Dollar Store, 8 came in a pack, for......, well a dollar.

In the inside of the hat there is a flap that goes threw a cut in the card board.  Fold the flap down and slide it through the cut.  Pick out some scrapbook paper you like.  I got my paper at Wal-Mart yeah, I'm cheap like that.

Lay your hat flat on the back of the paper and trace around it.

Cut it out.

Now I'm sure that most of you know what Mod Podge is.  But, I was amazed at how many women last night didn't know what it was.  In case any of you reading this are new to crafting Mod Podge will become one of your best friends.  I love this stuff.

It's a glue, a sealant, it dries clear and lasts forever. You can buy it almost anywhere.

Get some Mod Podge on a paintbrush and "paint" it on the back of your paper. You want a medium thick layer over the entire paper.

Then line you flattened hat up with your mod podged paper.  Rub over the entire thing pretty well.  While it is still wet you are going to want put the cut back into your hat so the flap can fit through it.
I use an exacto knife and use the cut in the hat as my guide. If some of you hat shows trim it off.

Put your flap back through and your done.  It takes about 15-30 minutes to dry. Depending on how thick you put on the mod-podge. You need to get it put back together while it is still wet.  If you wait until it dries it will be to stiff to shape.

Now for the really fun part, embellishing.  You can use anything from Washi Tape, to fabric, to rick rac.  This is the one I made for Lotte's first Birthday.

She didn't love it.  She sure was adorable for the 2.2 seconds she left it on though!  The hat was ripped off as soon as this shot was taken, never to be worn again. Boo.


Here are the ones I made to show the ladies.  As you can see you can make them all so different and personal. For girls or boys.

 You can see how to ruffle your fabric here, make washi tape bunting here.  The embellishments were added with hot glue.  The original inspiration for the hats comes from Girl Inspired.  Hope you try it out, it's such a fun and easy way to personalize a party.

Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out.