Misc — July 17, 2019

My Paper DIY Kentucky Derby Hat

Misc — July 17, 2019

My Paper DIY Kentucky Derby Hat

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I have a theory that we all have something we are really good at. For some it might be delicious cooking, or being really good at business and even being an amazing mother. . . for me it is simply taking a flat piece of paper and making a 3-D object. I am really good at it. Some of you may be familiar with my art project I call Papier Couture, which was my super fun fashion line of paper sculpted dresses a few years back. Now I use my knack to create the paper flowers I share with you here on this website. And boy am I excited to share this DIY Kentucky Derby hat with you.

What does this paper crafter do when she is invited to go to a Kentucky Derby Party where there is a prize for the largest hat? Well of course. . . she sculpts one out of paper! I was very lucky that on Friday night when I began this project (to wear Saturday) I had just finished a guest post using a dozen paper orchids. They made the perfect decor for my over-sized bonnet. Needless to say the hat was a hit at the event. It became the unofficial event photo prop as many ladies snapped their picture while wearing my unusual art. Oh what joy it was to share my DIY Kentucky Derby hat! Cheers ~ Lia

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Discussion

Ask Lia or the community!

46 Comments

Mrs. May 1, 2019 at 10:06pm

Hello Lia,
Have you made a tutorial for this hat yet? I would love to make something like this with my 1st graders for our Derby-themed week! Our school is just across the river from Louisville and we celebrate all things Derby the week before! This hat would be absolutely perfect!! We have paper that I can cut to 24×32 but it’s not strong like poster board. I’d just need to know how to get the paper folded into a similar shape! Help!

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2019 at 8:26am
  
  @Mrs.
  
  Sadly we haven’t made a tutorial for this yet! This project was one of my first (nearly 6 years ago!) and I’d make some adjustments to it. We will get this on our list to perfect before the next Derby day!
  
  Reply
Patea April 12, 2019 at 5:54am

Lovely dresses.kiss

Reply
1. Lia April 12, 2019 at 8:55am
  
  @Patea
  
  Thank you!
  
  Reply
Luisa April 6, 2017 at 7:23am

Hola Lía.

Buenos días. Quisiera los patrones para hacer el sombrero. Ya tengo las Orquideas. Cómo puedo obtenerlos? Ya pague la franquicia.

Muchas felicitaciones por todos tus lindos y maravillosos proyectos.

Abrazos

Reply
1. Lia April 6, 2017 at 10:24am
  
  @Luisa
  
  Hi Luisa, this project is several years old so unfortunately we don’t have a tutorial for it. The orchid tutorial is here: https://liagriffith.com/make-a-paper-orchid/
  
  Reply
Carolyn June 30, 2016 at 3:55pm

I absolutely love this hat! Beautiful. I would like to attempt one similar for an upcoming event. I understand the poster board size paper. did you use tissue, crepe or fabric for the softer portion of the hat as well as the crown?

Thank you for your amazing talents!
Carolyn

Reply
1. Lia July 1, 2016 at 7:31am
  
  @Carolyn
  
  Thank you Carolyn! I used tissue paper. One of these days I’ll remake it and photograph a tutorial 😉
  
  Reply
  1. Carolyn July 1, 2016 at 9:00pm
    
    @Lia
    
    Thank you Lia. I thought it was tissue paper. I will let you know how I succeed or fail at a hat of such scale .
    
    Great job today on Today!
    
    Carolyn
    
    Reply
    1. Lia July 5, 2016 at 8:54am
      
      @Carolyn
      
      Thanks so much Carolyn!
      
      Reply
Michelle January 1, 2015 at 3:22am

Lia, your hat is breathtaking. I would never have believed that anything quite so beautiful could be crafted from paper, but you have proved me very very wrong!

Sorry I’m not a royal (like the other commentators have suggested) but I do live in England & I would LOVE to wear this to Ascot. It would certainly beat many of the very expensive hats that are worn by the posh ladies there!

I’ll be first in the queue for your instructions if you decide to do them.

Thanks you for posting this.

Reply
1. Lia January 6, 2015 at 1:05pm
  
  @Michelle
  
  One of these days:)
  
  Reply
Shaneka November 5, 2014 at 4:09pm

may i have the instructions for making this hat please

Reply
1. Lia November 6, 2014 at 1:41pm
  
  @Shaneka
  
  I didn’t make any instructions:( It was a late night project for a Kenducky Derby party the next day:) The paper I used to make the hat was 24×32, for the flowers maybe these camellias or orchids https://liagriffith.com/diy-metallic-paper-camellias/ https://liagriffith.com/make-a-gorgeous-paper-orchid-plant/
  
  Reply
paperworx4seniors2 May 18, 2014 at 8:26pm

Where do you get 24×32″ paper? That would be great, sounds like your hat was the star of party. When we moved to KY was just before Kentucky Derby so there was alot talked about it. Here not so much. Your hat is fantastic, how fun to wear it all day, nice of you to loan it for photos. Did you get copies of all the ladies wearing your hat? Did you win the prize? Had to stop to see what this post was about. Trolling thru to get caught up after p/c vacation.

Reply
1. Lia May 20, 2014 at 10:31pm
  
  @paperworx4seniors2
  
  I got the paper at an art supply store. It is a poster board of sorts so maybe even at a drug store where they sell school supplies. I did win the prize! I did not get photos of the ladies wearing hats though. Maybe next time?
  
  Reply
Connie February 24, 2014 at 10:36am

I’ve been viewing your flowers and linked up to this absolutely gorgeous hat!!
It belongs in the movie My Fair Lady!
Thank you for all you have created

Reply
1. Lia February 24, 2014 at 6:22pm
  
  @Connie
  
  Thanks Connie! It was fun to wear and became the photo prop of the event.
  
  Reply
laura August 19, 2013 at 5:59pm

I am so impressed. I am a paper artist and just love seeing your work. Thank you. How big are your papers? They seem larger then what I have ie. 12×12.

Reply
1. Lia August 19, 2013 at 9:04pm
  
  @laura
  
  Thanks Laura. The paper I used to make the hat was 24×32, but usually I do use smaller paper.
  
  Reply
Jennifer May 14, 2013 at 5:23pm

This is absolutely fabulous. Please tell me there will be a tutorial some day soon! I would love to do a Kentucky Derby themed dinner party and nothing would be better than to have this beautiful hat as the centerpiece.

Reply
1. Lia May 14, 2013 at 6:03pm
  
  @Jennifer
  
  Well I had not planned on it but now I am thinking it could be a great idea. Thanks Jennifer!
  
  Reply
Rachael May 7, 2013 at 4:21pm

Love the hat! Did you win the prize for largest hat?

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 4:27pm
  
  @Rachael
  
  Thanks! Yes, I did. 😉
  
  Reply
jet May 7, 2013 at 8:13am

wooow this is amazing, soooo beautiful , well done, really love it!!!!;-D

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 9:02am
  
  @jet
  
  Thanks Jet!
  
  Reply
Danielle May 7, 2013 at 4:13am

Wow, that is amazing. I love paper crafting and thanks to people like you how show that there are no limits to what you can make.

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 6:52am
  
  @Danielle
  
  There really isn’t. 🙂
  
  Reply
Anna May 7, 2013 at 1:09am

Oh !! quina preciositat ,està diví, però quina feinada !! ufffff.
Ets increïble i a més estàs molt i molt maca .sembles una princesa.
Fins una altra,una abraçada.

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 6:54am
  
  @Anna
  
  Awww. Thanks Anna!
  
  Reply
shari May 6, 2013 at 11:18pm

wow, Lia! JUST.BEAUTIFUL! i swear – you think it, you make it! it was great to see your smile in this post, too! thank you for making me smile….again! cheers!

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 6:55am
  
  @shari
  
  Thanks Shari. I still remember hearing you talk about my high school outfits just a few years ago. I had no idea I had made an impression on anyone. You know how teens are. 🙂
  
  Reply
Kokopelli May 6, 2013 at 10:59pm

That hat is so over the top and so Kentucky! Great work! And you’re not only good with paper, but amazing. 🙂

Reply
1. Lia May 7, 2013 at 6:57am
  
  @Kokopelli
  
  It is! I was going to make a crazy floral fascinator and my daughter pushed me to go for the big vintage style hat. Happy I listened.
  
  Reply
Chavella May 6, 2013 at 8:28pm

Just when I think I’ve seen your best, You come up with the most awesome hat. You should ship that right off to the Queen. The royal Haberdasher is fired.

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2013 at 8:31pm
  
  @Chavella
  
  Oh my! You are adorable. 😉
  
  Reply
Arline May 6, 2013 at 8:22pm

I fully expect some English royal to come calling for her own personal version of this. 😉

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2013 at 8:24pm
  
  @Arline
  
  That would be a treat!
  
  Reply
Debbie May 6, 2013 at 7:57pm

Awesome hat! You look just like a Southern Belle! Beautiful!

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2013 at 8:26pm
  
  @Debbie
  
  Thanks Debbie!
  
  Reply
Lisa May 6, 2013 at 7:48pm

That is awesome! But its a good thing nobody had to sit behind you in the grandstands. 😉

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2013 at 8:25pm
  
  @Lisa
  
  It is! Have you seen some of the hats at the actual derby? Some are twice as large as mine. I wonder what they do?
  
  Reply
Linnette May 6, 2013 at 6:00pm

WOW. Seriously–just when I think you can’t possibly beat your lat project—there you go again. AHHH-MAZING! I bet you had a great time showing it off! 🙂

Reply
1. Lia May 6, 2013 at 6:11pm
  
  @Linnette
  
  Isn’t it flaunt your assets and hide your flaws? I guess this might be considered a bit of that. Haha.
  
  Reply