Graduation Cap Decorating How-To

Somehow I just graduated college! It seems like yesterday I was still in high school and unable to do my hair and makeup properly. My how time flies! 

I wanted to decorate my cap for graduation. I tried searching for tips and directions, but I did not find too much online. I wanted to fix that. 



Materials:
Glitter paper
Sheet of burlap (I found this with the scrapbook paper)
Black sequin adhesive strips
Black foam glitter letter stickers
Fabric glue
Scissors 
Ruler 
Pencil








1. I started by tracing the outline of my cap onto the burlap sheet and my glitter paper. I cut them both out and put the paper aside. It is best to cut out the squares slightly smaller than the perimeter of the cap. You do not want paper edges to show from underneath. 

2. With the burlap I determined where the button on my cap would be by placing the burlap on top of the cap and marking with my pencil. I cut a 1/4' x shape with scissors then cut off the edges to make it a hole. Place your burlap onto the cap, make sure it is even on all sides and push the button through the hole. Do not make the hole too big. You want the edges of the hole to push under the button on your cap. Also, be sure to check that your tassel still fits snugly under the button.





3. I started gluing around the button and mostly along the edges of the burlap. You don't want the sides to come unglued or unraveled. 

4. I got my glitter paper back out and started tracing the chevron lines onto the back of the paper with a ruler and pencil. This part I messed up...a lot! But it doesn't matter because I was using pencil and could erase and start over. I used these chevron drawing instructions: http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Chevron-Stripes Be sure to have your paper in a diamond shape before you start drawing the lines if you want the stripes to go from side to side.  
5. The rest is simple. Line up your stripes and glue them to the burlap. You may have to cut out a space for the button in your center chevron stripe. Add the sticky black sequin strips and trim them as needed. 

6. I cut my letters out of the paper sheet they come on without unpeeling them. This way I could place and move them where I wanted. Once I was happy with my letters, I unpeeled and stuck them firmly to my cap. Make sure the cap is facing the right way before you glue or stick anything down! It's easy to accidentally put your letters on the wrong way. You want the top of your decorations to start on the corner with the front of your cap.

Sidenote: The elastic part is the back of your cap. The pointed end is the front.
 Your tassel begins on the right side and is flipped left during the ceremony.  


And Ta Da!! 
You have a perfectly decorated chevron graduation cap. Enjoy! 


Comments

  1. This is amazing! Thank you so much for posting the directions to this gorgeous cap! I will be using this same design because it's the best one I have found on pinterest. Thanks again! :)

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  3. Replies
    1. The burlap sheet is glued to the cap and serves as the background for the chevron stripes and the foam letters. I used just a square of burlap found with specialty scrapbooking paper. I hope this helps!

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  4. Is there a way to take the button off the mortarboard? I wanted to put a sheet of glitter paper under the button as I've seen but wasn't sure how people are doing it.

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    Replies
    1. I'd say you could pull the button off but I'm not sure if it would damage the fabric or not. I've never tried it. I would try cutting a small hole in the center of the paper then pushing the button through and tucking the paper underneath.

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    2. I removed mine on accident the first day I got it. I've been popping it on and off since and it still works. I'd say go for it!

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    3. I took mine off with wire cutters. It didnt damage the fabric at all then all I had to do was thread through the table and tie it!

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  5. My cap is red and tassle is red and gold. Do you think I should use another base color or would the burlap still work? I'm not so crafty! lol Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. The burlap is pretty neutral so I think it would still look nice. You could also use gray fabric or paper as the base.

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  6. Thank you so much! I'm graduating this weekend and I've been looking for a concise tutorial and this was a great help!

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  7. What is the measurement of the actual square top... I am looking everywhere.. no one states what the length and width of the square....

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    1. The mortar board is usually a 10" by 10" square.

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    2. My mortar board dimensions are 9"by9". I am guessing maybe it depends on the company as to how the dimensions are.

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    3. My mortar board dimensions are 9"by9". I am guessing maybe it depends on the company as to how the dimensions are.

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    4. Yes I'm sure it depends! I've been in 3 different graduation ceremonies but all graduation attire was supplied by the same company. Thankfully it's very simple to customize your cap decorations for any size board.

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  8. How big are the letter?

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  9. What size is the scrapbook paper? Is it a typical 12x12?

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  10. Excellent and helpful post… I am so glad to left comment on this. This has been a so interesting ..I appreciate your effort..

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  12. How did you get letter stickers to stick to glitter paper???😩

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    1. I used foam alphabet stickers and didn’t have trouble with them sticking to the glitter paper. If yours aren’t working, you could always try sticking them on with hot glue or super glue. Good luck and happy graduation!

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