Glam up your beanie or winter hat with my super simple tutorial below! I take pearls, beads, a large connector component and crystal chain to spice up my black beanie. My favorite color is black, so I stuck to a neutral color palette. If you love color, feel free to mix up the beads and rhinestones to create a bright and fun piece!
It just takes a bit of embroidery to adhere the crystals to the hat – I chose to embroider the beads in a starburst pattern, but you could create any pattern you wish. Embroider the entire band if you want major sparkle! This hat came together very quickly – it would take a bit longer for a more involved pattern, but the time is worth it. The crystals shimmer in the light, and stand out against any wardrobe!
Let’s start with the tutorial!
Step 1: Gather materials. Needed is a hat or beanie, embroidery needles, embroidery floss or string, an assortment of beads (pearls, seed beads, bugle beads, crystals), a large connector pendant, and rhinestone cup chain.
Start by cutting a 24″ piece of floss or string. I tied on a seed bead to the end, to make sure it wouldn’t pull through on this larger weave in the hat. String on your needle.
Step 2: Bring the needle up from under the hat band towards the front, catching in the top loop from the connector. Thread back down outside the loop, then repeat up and down a few more stitches to secure. I had another loop at the bottom back of the connector, but waited to secure that until after the next step,,,, you’ll see why!
Step 3: Cut two pieces of cup chain approx. 5″ – 3″ and sew these on under your connector. Simply catch the notch in between the first and second rhinestone cup and sew with thread. You will have to lift up your connector (don’t sew on the bottom loop until after the chain is added) to add these. Place the connector back down and thread on the bottom loop. The reason why I started with adding the connector first is to get an idea of scale and spacing.
Your center focal piece should be securely sewed. Knot any excess string on the inside of the hat, and cut the excess.
Step 4: Add the beads! Cut another 24″ piece and tie a small seed bead to the end again to hold the thread. Bring the needle up under the hat band once again, then string on a pearl. Thread back down, catching the pearl on the fabric. Repeat, adding pearls around your focal connector.
Continue adding beads, creating a stardust pattern by sewing on larger beads around the focal, and smaller beads working outwards. I used bugle beads and seed beads for a fuller look. If at any point you run out of thread, always knot on the underside of the fabrics the knots don’t show.
Cut another piece of thread and continue sewing.
I kept sewing on both sides of the focal piece until I was happy with the look – you can continue with more seed beads, or even add small bursts of beads elsewhere on the hat. It’s up to you!
Thanks for reading, everyone! Check out all my other tutorials on the blog at quietlioncreations.com!
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