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!