Okay, so “sun day red hats,” huh? Sounds kinda random, but it actually turned into a fun little project. It all started when I was cleaning out my attic. I found this old, beat-up red hat. It was my grandpa’s, I think. Super faded, kinda dusty, but I couldn’t just toss it.
Then, it hit me – Sunday! Sun day! Red hat! I decided I’d try to restore the hat, or at least make it look a little cooler, and wear it on Sundays. A little tradition, you know?
The Clean-Up
First things first, I needed to clean this thing. I didn’t want to ruin it, so no washing machine. I just got a damp cloth and some mild soap and went at it. Gently, gently, scrubbing away the grime. It took a while, but it already looked a hundred times better.
- Used a soft-bristled brush to get rid of loose dust and dirt.
- Mixed a tiny bit of gentle soap with warm water.
- Dabbed (didn’t rub!) the hat with the damp cloth.
- Rinsed the cloth frequently and kept going until it was clean.
- Let it air dry completely. No direct sunlight, though!
The “Red-ification”
The hat was clean, but the red was really faded. Almost pink in some spots. So, I did some research (aka, a quick online search) and found out you can use fabric dye. I picked up some bright red fabric dye – the spray-on kind, seemed easiest.
I laid the hat on some newspaper outside (important!), shook the can really well, and sprayed it evenly, holding the can about six inches away. I did a couple of light coats, letting it dry in between. Wow! What a difference. It looked like a brand new hat, almost.
The Finishing Touches
It was red, it was clean, but it was still kinda…plain. I wanted to add something extra. I found some old patches in a sewing box – a little sun, a smiley face, even a tiny little bird. Perfect! I decided to sew those on. My sewing skills are, uh, basic, but I managed to get them on there securely. They aren’t perfect. but is good enough for me.
And that’s it! My “sun day red hat” project. It’s not perfect, the patches are a little crooked, and the red might fade again, but it’s mine. And I wear it every Sunday now, rain or shine. It’s a fun little reminder of my grandpa, and a good excuse to do something a little creative.
