Have you ever thought about getting your dog a hat? I mean, can you even get a dog hat? The answer is “Yes”!
Dog hats make a cute accessory for any occasion from parties to photoshoots. Yes, they make great photo props for pictures or selfies for your Instagram!
While you can always buy a hat for your dog, it’s much more fun (and cheaper) to make your own. It’s not too difficult, and you can customize the size of the hat to fit your dog’s head. Best of all, you can choose the color and pattern of the hat!
Read on to find out more about how you can make a hat for your furry friend!
Cut a piece of cardboard twice the height you want the hat to be
Start by deciding how tall you want the hat to be, then double that. Find a plate or bowl that is roughly the same size, and place it face down. Find a plate or bowl that is roughly the same size, and place it face down on the cardstock. Use a pen to draw marks on the card, then use scissors to cut out circles.
For example, if you want a hat that is 4 inches (10cm) high, you will need to make a circle that is 8 inches (20cm) wide. Simple maths!
You can also use poster paper and thin cardboard. Don’t worry about the color of the hat at this point (it’ll be covered up)!
Cut a wedge from the circle a little more than a quarter of it
Using a pen and a ruler, draw two lines from the outer edge of the circle to the middle. If this were a clock, you’d draw the line from 12 o’clock to 4 o’clock to the center. Cut the wedges off when done.
Find the middle of the circle by measuring or folding in half down the middle length. Once you have folded the circle, be sure to then unfold it again.
Discard the edges and bend the circle cut out into a cone
Don’t staple or glue the cone in place just yet. You just need to bend it slightly before adding the fabric. If you don’t have this curve, the fabric won’t stretch properly around it when you bend it.
Apply spray glue to the back of the cone and the fabric
Each brand of spray glue will be a little different, so be sure to read the directions on the back of the can. In most cases, you’ll need to shake the can and then use a sweep to spray the adhesive in a well-ventilated area. Cotton works best here, but felt would also be fine too.
Match the fabric to the occasion. For example, if it’s a birthday, you can try a bright, happy color like yellow with a colorful confetti pattern.
Alternatively, opt for a dog-themed pattern. You can choose black paw prints on a blue background, or white dog bones on a red background, for example.
Glue the cones together with hot glue
Use a pen to mark the inside of the cone where the overlap is located. Remove the bulldog clip, and then roll the cone back to its original shape, using the mark as a guide. Apply hot glue on the 2 layers of card paper to fix the cones together.
Hot glue has fast solidification speed, so work fast! As the glue dries, you may need to stick the cones together for a few minutes.
If you don’t have hot melts, you can try using sticky glue or fabric glue. Again, use the bulldog clip to hold the cones together until the glue dries, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Add a ribbon or elastic belt at the bottom of the hat
Which one you choose will depend on how you think your dog will respond. For example, rubber bands may suit better if your dog is easily irritable, whereas a calm dog may be ok with ribbons tied under his/her chin.
Around 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch (0.32 to 0.64 cm) thick is ideal.
Ribbon: Cut two 13 1/2 inch (34 cm) ribbons, and then stick each ribbon to the inside of the hat with hot glue.
Elastic band: Cut an elastic band long enough to cover the dog’s chin.
Tie a knot at both ends, and then nail the knot inside the hat.
Decorate the hat with pom poms, trim, and other items
This is the most exciting bit! You can add as much or little decoration as you want.
Hot glue a large pompom of a contrasting color to the top of the hat. You can then decorate the bottom edge with trim or a row of mini pom poms. You could also add other embellishments like sequins or sequins to make it more exciting and stylish!
As exciting as it sounds (and it is!), Do-It-Yourself dog hats can be complex to make. Or maybe you just haven’t got enough time to make your own dog hat. If this sounds like you, there are plenty of awesome dog hats you can just buy. We can definitely recommend this dog hat, whether you have a small or large dog. There is a fixed rope and adjustable buckle on the hat. No matter how big your dog’s head is or how vigorous your dog is, it will keep the hat on your dog’s head.
Conclusion
There you have it, whether you decide to make your own DIY dog hat or buy one elsewhere, we hope this article has made it easier for you to choose what’s best for you. If you do decide to make a dog hat of your own (which we hope you do), you can always send us a photo so we can add them to this page!
