Summer Sparkle Hat by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

My favorite hat needed to be revived. I tried a simple ribbon band, but it looked too masculine. I added a cluster of faded-looking silk flowers, but it looked kind of blah. But when I tucked some die cut Shimmer Sheetz leaves and dandelion fluff I knew I was onto something! 

The surface of Shimmer Sheetz reflects the light and adds just the right amount of sparkle. I used Black Iridescent, Red Iridescent and Fire Opal Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz to echo the colors in the flowers. 

YOUR TURN

1. Find a flattering hat.

2. Add a ribbon or ruched fabric headband (or not).

3. ‘Audition’ the silk flowers, arranging and rearranging them until you are pleased with the effect. Trim the stems as needed.

4. Die cut, hand cut, or punch a variety of Shimmer Sheetz leaves and other shapes. Reminder: A Metal Adaptor Plate is required for die cutting Shimmer Sheetz (or a Big Shot Machine with Precision Base Plate). Inside your machine’s usual cutting ‘sandwich’ place the MAP or PBP, then the Shimmer Sheetz, then the die with the cutting side facing down, then the usual upper plate.

5. Add the Shimmer Sheetz pieces to the flowers, tucking the stems out of sight. Trim as needed.

Tips:

*Take digital photos of each arrangement as you go along. That way, you can return to a previous arrangement if you find that you’ve headed down the wrong path. If you don’t have a digital camera, make some sketches as reminders.

*Try on the hat as you go to make sure that it looks right when worn and not just when it’s on the table. (Careful, don’t dance around yet, until you’ve secured the arrangement it could fall off!)

*Add more flowers, take some out…Keep going until you’re feeling confident.

Things to consider when arranging the flowers:

Placement (off to the side, centered, at the back).

Symmetrical vs. asymmetrical.

I clustered the largest flowers in one grouping (two large dark full-bloom roses, one smaller rose and three buds), and then let the smallest flowers extend and trail off at either end. The leaves take a back stage. To my eye, an asymmetrical arrangement like this is more interesting than something symmetrical, and I kept the flowers to one side of the hat, as shown in the various photos.

That said, you can place a single flower front and center on your hat and repeat the arrangement on either side so it is precise and symmetrical! Or you can create an arrangement at the back of the hat and add a cascade of ribbons that fall to the middle of your back.

It’s YOUR hat, your face – you know what you like!

6. Securely sew the silk flowers in place with a few hidden stitches.

7. Adhere the die cut Shimmer Sheetz pieces with snippets of Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs – they hold very well and you only need little pieces! (Tip: Use non-stick scissors to cut the Tabs and for the best hold do not touch the exposed adhesive with your fingers.)

8. Wear your unique creation and wait for the compliments to pour in!

SUPPLIES

• Shimmer Sheetz in colors to coordinate with silk flowers
• Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs
• Hat
• Silk flowers
• Assorted dies, punches (or draw and hand-cut your own Shimmer Sheetz shapes!)
• Metal adaptor plate and die cutting machine
• (Or Sizzix Big Shot with Precision Base Plate)
• Non-stick scissors
• Needle
• Thread to match the hat