There are many different ways to embroider a bucket hat, but there’s one technique that I think is the easiest and most effective. It can also be used for other designs as well.
This embroidery method is perfect if you want to keep your design simple or your pattern uncluttered. You won’t need any special equipment to do this either. All you will need is a sewing machine with an embroidery function, some thread of your choice, and a hoop.
First off, choose a style of embroidery stitch you like. There are two basic styles of embroidery stitches you can use – satin and cross-stitch. Satin embroidery is very popular because it looks smooth; it has no visible stitching line. Cross-stitch is a bit more decorative, but still easy on the eyes. The best thing about both these methods is they don’t require you to know any fancy techniques. They are easy to learn and use.
Next, decide what type of fabric you’ll be using for your bucket hat. If you are not sure which kind of fabric you should use, ask a local tailor shop or quilter for advice. Most places have a good variety of fabrics for sale. Some places even carry specific buckets hat fabrics. For this tutorial we are going to use a cotton fabric.
Now that you have selected your material, take out your hoop and set up your sewing machine. Make sure your needle is threaded correctly and ready to go. Next, put your fabric into the hoop and adjust the tension so the fabric fits snugly inside the hoop. This will help you get a nice clean finished product. Now all you have to do is start embroidering!
Stitching Bucket Hats
Buying your first ever chapeau is a task of fun and enjoyment as you will able to see many brand options and varieties if you are willing to purchase a hat. If you are considering a hat of any successful brand then it is good as you will get the best quality product and some well established brands also provide some discounts to their customers.
First, create a sketch of the design you want to embroider. A simple outline would work fine, but sometimes you may want to add details or embellishments. Just make sure you include the right amount of space between each letter or word. Once you are done with your sketch, cut out the design from the fabric and lay it flat onto your fabric. Remember to leave enough space around the edges of the fabric to allow room for turning under the edge with your sewing machine foot.
Once you have the design drawn out and cut, it’s time to begin stitching. Start by placing your fabric in the hoop. Adjust the tension until everything fits nicely inside the hoop. Sew along the edge of the fabric where you want to turn under on the back side. Once your needle comes out of the front side of the fabric, stop and pull the needle through the fabric at least once. Pull the needle through again while holding down the fabric with your left hand. This helps prevent fraying and makes the turn under more accurate.
Make another pass over the same area. If you find that your fabric is starting to fray or stretch, simply rethread your needle. Keep making passes over the same spot until you hit a seam allowance on both sides of the fabric. When you come out of the last pass, stop and tie off your thread. Remove the fabric from the hoop, and turn it inside out. Fold the fabric back over itself and press lightly with a warm iron. The iron shouldn’t be too hot or else it could melt the glue on the adhesive backing. Try to avoid using steam when ironing.
If you plan to use clear plastic or vinyl as a base for your bucket hat, you may prefer to skip this step, but it isn’t necessary. Clear plastic or vinyl should not affect the embroidery process.
Now, you just have to wait for your embroidery to dry completely before you continue. Depending on how thick your fabric is, it could take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours to dry. Don’t worry if you forget to turn your fabric right-side out at first; you can always turn it out later.
Embellishment Option #1: Adding Dots
Dotting is a great way to add interest to your embroidery project. To dot a design, start by putting your fabric in the hoop. Adjust the tension until everything fits comfortably inside the hoop. This is important to ensure that your fabric doesn’t stretch or tear during the dotting process. Take your embroidery needle and make several short, straight lines across the fabric. If you want a dotted look, try spacing them out evenly, but if you want a random looking design, don’t worry about spacing them out. After you’ve made the first few lines, move your needle to the next row below. Continue moving down the fabric until you’ve finished the whole image.
To finish off the top of your bucket hat, place the fabric inside the hoop again. Tie off your thread and remove the fabric from the hoop. Turn the fabric right-side out. Fold it back over itself and press lightly with a warm iron. Dotting works best with thick fabrics such as corduroy, denim, and flannel. If you want to change the look of your dots, try adding a contrasting color or shading underneath the dots. This gives a much bolder effect than just plain white dots.
Embellishment Option #2: Stamping
Stamping is probably the simplest option when it comes to embroidery techniques. First, draw the design you want to stamp onto fabric. Cut out the design and place it in the hoop. Once everything is inside the hoop, tie off your thread and remove the fabric from the hoop. Place the fabric on a piece of paper and trace the outline of the design. Then, use the paper to stamp the design onto the fabric. Repeat until you have the entire design stamped onto the fabric.