Last Friday I realized that if I was going to wear a hat that I better start looking since Derby was literally a week away. I decided to take the arts and crafts route and make my own hat. I looked online for Derby Hats and found some great designs.

I went to the store with these hats in mind. I also tried on my dress and shoes prior to going so that I would know what I wanted to match. I was tempted to just buy a pre-maid hat that would match until I saw the price tags. Instead, I found a plain black hat that was the style that I wanted. I tried different flower arrangements with ribbons and feathers before picking out the final accersories. My total came to $36.00, compared to the $268.00 total for the lady that checked out in front of me.

Making the hat was stress free. I had a sewing kit, scissors, wire cutters, and tacky glue. The ribbon was a bit trying at first. I used pins to hold it in place, then went around different sides of the hat stitching it in place with matching thread. There was excess ribbon after wrapping the ribbon around the hat, I folded and bunched the excess and sewed it in place on the side. This was the main side that I would be decorating. I attached white feather bunches, 2 feathers that stick out of the bunches, and miniature stargazer lilies (which I know are the official flowers of the Oaks and I am going to Derby) but they matched.

It took me about an hour to put the hat together. I let it dry over night and it looks fabulous! I can not wait to wear it to The Kentucky Derby.