Isn’t it somewhat amazing and somewhat heavy how fast life can make a turn? In these last few years, I’ve had quite the awakening that has led me to make changes within my brand. When I finally cashed in my gift from my kids, I had no idea that I’d need to start over for many reasons. Now, it’s time to make the change and with that, a new look. This DIY custom hat patch is a start of many positive changes to come.

Let me explain…

My kids, especially one of them, is very in tune to what I say, and it reminds me of myself. They heard me saying how much I wanted a ball cap with my brand logo on it, Prodigal Pieces. After a virtual shutdown of many businesses due to a pandemic, I finally found a local shop on Etsy to fulfill my wish.

Before this, however, I sought out every local business I could find, even one at the fairgrounds. When I contacted the owner, she kept promising me a proof of the design. Time passed and I would have to call her again and she’d quickly apologize that she was so busy with her kids, etc. Y’all… I’m a homeschoolin’ mama to six kids and still manage to run a business. I gave her ample chances, so I let it go when I was doing all the work in this transaction.

BE REAL

Sounds like most of my life, doesn’t it? (you can read all my Life Updates HERE)

I’m tired of being the one with rose-colored glasses.

The one that puts all the effort in that depletes my soul.

Yes, I’m only talking about a simple hat, but this scenario is a script I’ve lived my whole life.

With my current healing path leading me in new directions, I’ve been preparing for a brand shift into Livin’ Real with Larissa.

Why “livin’ real”?

I’ve never been dishonest with you all. However, in a way, I was lying to myself.

One of the characteristics of narcissist abuse survivors is to fall in love with potential and to make EVERY effort to help that person become the best of who they are.

While at the same time, losing themselves in the process.

In the last few years, I have come to dread working on furniture. Heh, I even did my last one with an unknown fractured thumb. I was, and still am, EXHAUSTED of finding someone’s cast-off item and giving it a new face.

It was as if, like people, I could make them better and proving my worth at the same time.

I am ever thankful to be blessed with artistic gifts in many forms. BUT I also work my fanny off to learn new skills and am burnt out.

When I have created endless content for Prodigal Pieces that involves soooo many different things from food to sewing to crafts to woodworking to home remodel and repair as well as health and nutrition, and all someone ever thinks I do is furniture… it stings.

Many lump me in with someone who “just slaps paint” on a piece.

They DON’T know me.

LIVIN’ REAL

With that, and after much prayerful consideration, I’m stepping away from Prodigal Pieces and am embracing Livin’ Real with Larissa as I’ve mentioned in the last few months in my newsletter, social media, and so on.

I’m sure many of you have seen the changes within my content for some time now. My new site is still under construction with much going on behind the scenes and waiting on my tech guy to wrap things up. You can see it in bare bones form HERE.

So, of course, I need me a new cap – complete with a DIY custom hat patch, right?

I had been looking for a ball cap to upcycle for a few months now, and I finally found on in the picture above in a dollar store buried at the bottom of the rack.

Sounds like me… just waiting for the time to shine. (pssst… you can see my past refashion projects HERE)

If you want to give this tutorial a try, here’s what you’ll need: (keep in mind this patch can be used on ANYTHING, not just a hat)

• a hat or whatever you want to “patch” up – bag, shirt, pants, blanket, towel… you get the idea
• iron-on fabric transfer paper
• fabric to transfer onto – preferably a light color
• clothing iron
• e6000 adhesive
• coordinating thread and needle or sewing machine, if preferred
• graphic of choice
• computer/tablet and printer
• or just have fun with it like I did with acrylic paints, markers, embroidery, etc.

As you can imagine, I’m eager to happily embrace my former brand and all it means to me but also break out into this new adventure of accepting myself with all my quirks and healing path.

It’s time for NEW.

STEP 1

First, there’s no real magic to this tutorial, but creating a DIY custom hat patch (or patch for anything) is as simple or extreme as you make it.

To begin, obviously, you need a design in mind. While there are ample free graphics on the web, you can create your own in a basic program. For me, I want a simple, straightforward design just like my new logo.

I take my graphic into my software (even a smartphone can do it nowadays) and size it to fit. Then, I flip the image into a mirror format for printing on a iron-on transfer sheet for printers.

TRUTH BYTE: While I have done this process dozens of times, I had a HOT MESS with my computer and printer. Long story short, little did I know my printer is dying. It would shut-down my software every time I tried to print, of course without me saving my work in said program first. grrrr… Then, while trying to troubleshoot all aspects, I accidentally uninstalled my Photoshop Elements software – GAH!! After an hour or so I got it reinstalled and still could not connect to my printer. So… I decide to do this by hand. However, this process should be super easy for you like it’s always been for me. I had planned a video tutorial, but ran completely out of time for it. sigh… Here’s to livin’ real.

STEP 2

Next, once you have your graphic printed onto your iron-on paper, follow manufacturer instructions on how to iron the paper onto your choice of fabric. Most will say high heat with no steam.

For my patch, I’m using a piece of cotton canvas, but feel free to use any fabric you want. I prefer cottons over polys, but both will work, just keep in mind how a poly will react under high heat of the iron.

Iron on your design and let cool. After that, peel of the backing and you have your patch.

STEP 3

At this point you can do a variety of things… fray the edges, serge the edges (I wanted to do that, but my serger was arguing with me), use bias tape, or just as-is.

To apply the patch there are many ways to go about it. You can use the e6000 adhesive that will hold up in washes and rain or simply stitch on by hand or sewing machine. Each method works and has different effects.

For me, I am hand stitching mine this time around.

HAT’S OFF TO DIY

At long last, after many years of this journey, my tribute to healing begins with my brand change and in many more facets.

This DIY custom hat patch is just what I needed to solidify the change in my head and heart.

How fun it would be to make these up for a special event or as a quirky gift for friends and family!

While I still need to break the bill in – remember putting your ball cap around a pop can with rubber bands? haha.

But I’m happy with my graffiti style logo courtesy of my broken printer.

Don’t you just love when life throws curve balls?

With that, it’s hats off to being true to yourself and not wasting another day on anything that doesn’t give you joy, true joy.

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So tell me… what would you “patch” up? Leave some comment love below as well as pin and share to inspire others too!

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While you’re at it, check out these other refashion projects like this DIY custom hat patch: