If you want to take graduation pictures before you have your actual hat, making a graduation hat can be a fun thing to do.You can use poster board, foam core board or cardboard.To complete the look, add a flower.If you want to stand out from the crowd, decorate a pre-bought graduation hat.
Step 1: Pick a quote and gather supplies.
It's a good idea to add a favorite quote or song lyric to your hat.Many grads like puns.You can design one based on your favorite book, animal, or even the number of cups of coffee you drank to get your degree.Look at what other people have done on social media.You could say you earned it.If you're going to be a teacher, add an apple or ABC's.One of your favorite characters, flowers, or animals could be painted on when you graduate.The adventure that awaits will be the focus of many hats.
Step 2: Pick out a piece of paper to sketch out your design.
The piece of paper should be the same size as the top of your hat.Pick out any characters, images, or lettering you want to use on the hat.It's important that your design is large enough to be seen from a distance.
Step 3: You can color the background with paper or paint.
You can change the color of a piece of paper with hot glue.A single sheet is enough to cover it.If that's the case, try acrylic paint.Choose a sponge or bristle brush that's 2 to 3 inches wide, and apply paint in one direction across the top of the cap.Try to blend 2 colors on the brush for a fun effect.You can find a wide range of paper in single sheets at your craft store.
Step 4: Your design can be created with paint, stickers, or printed images.
If you have the skills, you can paint the images you want on your hat.You can find a variety of stickers at your local craft store.You can print off images from the internet and glue them on your hat.You can make your hat 3D.Glue on silk flowers, pompoms, feather, or rhinestones.
Step 5: You can add your lettering with stencil.
If you want to sketch the lettering freehand, use a pencil.Go over it with paint, a paint marker, or a permanent marker.Stamp letters can be used to make the lettering more uniform.Use stick-on letters.If you have a machine that cuts vinyl, you can put letters on your hat.
Step 6: A 24 to 26 in by 6 in rectangle is displayed on a poster board.
Place a piece of poster board on a table and use a ruler to measure along one side from the corner.To mark the length with a pencil, use a ruler and pencil to draw a line down the paper.Measure 6 inches down the other side from the same corner.Make a mark on the paper and draw a line with the ruler that will meet the first line you made.Wrap a piece of string around your head and use a ruler to measure the length of the hat.Add 2 inches for overlap.You can measure that side on the poster board.Children's hat sizes range from 20 inches (51 cm) for preschool kids to 22 inches (56 cm), for teens.Don't forget to add 2 inches for overlap.You can use construction paper as well.
Step 7: You need to cut out the piece of paper that you just drew.
Set the excess aside.You should have a rectangle that's 6 inches wide and 24 to 26 inches long.Wrap the long side around your head to make sure it matches the person you're making it for.It can be trimmed a bit if it's too long.
Step 8: The long edge should be folded over the ruler by 1 inch.
The ruler should be lined up with the side of the paper.The edge of the paper should be flipped up to cover the ruler.Pull the ruler out when you fold along that edge.The edge of the paper needs to be folded up 1 inch along the long side.If you prefer, you can fold it that way.
Step 9: Slits in the paper are cut every 2 inches when you open the fold.
Hold your scissors close to the fold you just made.Cut from the edge of the paper toward the fold, stopping at the folds.Make another slit by moving another 2 inches down.Continue along the edge until you reach the end.You should have flaps sticking up from the fold every 2 inches.
Step 10: Glue the short ends of the rectangle together.
Bring the ends of the strip together.The flaps you cut in the previous step should be facing the inside of the circle, making a 90-degree angle along the fold.Overlap the strip by 2 inches.Apply glue to the paper that goes underneath the edge of the other side and hold the pages together for a few seconds so the glue has a chance to take hold.You can use basic white school glue or run a glue stick along the edge.A hot glue gun can work, but be careful when applying it.It can cause burns to your fingers.
Step 11: A square of black foam core board is cut out.
Measure out a square that is 12 inches (30 cm) on each side and draw light lines with a pencil.To make a square piece of foam core board, cut down the lines.Most craft stores and big box stores have foam core board.Black paper can be used to cover a piece of cardboard.If you're having trouble cutting the foam core with scissors, use a craft knife to cut along the lines.Make sure there's something underneath the board so you don't scratch the surface you're cutting on.
Step 12: Glue the flaps to the center of the square.
To mark the center point, run the ruler across the square.The flaps should be facing the bottom of the square if you flip the piece you made earlier.To get an idea of where it will go, center to pull it off.Glue the circle to the center of the square by laying it down on the flaps.There are glue sticks and regular school glue.
Step 13: Add a circle of foam board to the square.
Cut a circle of foam board that's about half an inch in diameter.The hat's button can be made by glueing it to the top of the hat.Wait to glue this piece on if you want to add a tassel.You can put a small brad through the top of the hat.
Step 14: You should wrap yarn or floss around your fingers.
If you want your tassel to be at least 2 to 3 inches long, you need to spread your fingers apart.Hold the end of the yarn or string in place.Wrap it again and hold it in place.You have to keep going around and around until you get the thickness you want.You may need to do this many times.If you want to add other colors, you can cut off one color and wrap a different color around it.You can cut a piece of cardboard to use as a form.
Step 15: There is a square knot in the middle.
Pull the loops off of your fingers.The other tail of the string should be pulled out.Wrap the outside tail around the middle 3-4 times.Using a square knot, tie it to the other tail.If you want to tie a square knot, wrap one end over the other and pull them both tight.
Step 16: Go through the loops on the other end.
You should have loops of string in the middle.Pull the loops in your scissors and cut the ends loose.Go through the loops.On the other ends, do the same thing.Your fringe is created by this.
Step 17: Cut off about 2 feet (0.61 m) of the string.
There is a piece of string over the center of the tassel.Make a square knot by finding the center of the string.You can stick the long ends of the string into your hat now.
Step 18: A piece of string is needed to assemble your tassel.
Pull the ends of the loops together.Wrap the string around the tassel and leave about 2 inches of the tail out.Wrap until you have 2 inches left.Attach it to the other tail with a square knot.Put the ends of the knot under the wrap.
Step 19: You can make them even by trimming the edges of the tassel.
Use your fingers to smooth out the tassel.The ends will be different lengths.To smooth out the edge, use your fingers to hold the ends together.To make sure you have all the longer pieces, run your fingers through the tassel.
Step 20: Attach the hat to the tassel with a hole.
You can poke a hole through the center of the hat with a needle or toothpick.If you have trouble threading the string through the hole, use a needle.Pull on the string inside the hat to adjust the length of the tassel.Make an overhand knot on the inside at that point.You can glue the foam core board button on top of the string and the hole to hold it in place.You can use hot glue or school glue.Pull the end of the loop on the other side if you want to create an overhand knot.