How To Make Trucker Hats?
Trucker hats are also known as mesh caps or netback caps. They are a type of hat with distinctive designs of a rounded crown, a stiff flat bill, and a mesh backing. The mesh back is built to provide ventilation, making trucker hats a popular choice for outdoor activities and warmer climates.
The trucker hat’s origin can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. They were originally given out as promotional items by vehicle and agricultural machinery manufacturers to truck drivers, hence the name.
This implies that they were originally custom trucker hats having the practicality and advertising potential. Trucker hats quickly became a staple among truckers and their popularity eventually spread to other groups and became a fashion trend.
In this article, we will walk you through how to make a trucker hat by yourself. You will also discover some trucker hats’ design and styling options.
What material are trucker hats made of?
Trucker hats are popularly made of foam and mesh material which is what we are going to be using in this guide.
Other materials as well as the quantity needed for this project include:
Half a yard of mesh material
You can use a plastic, polyester, or nylon material for your mesh. This will be used for the backing of the trucker hare.
A quarter-inch foam
The crown will be built using the foam material.
Twill or duck canvas material
The twill or duck canvas material will be used to cover the brim.
Swept band
You can easily buy a ready-made swept band or create one for yourself.
A brim/bill
The brim is the frontal part of a trucker hat that serves as a shade to protect your face from sunlight. You can also buy it readily made in material stores.
A closure
Most trucker hats have a closure or adjustable strap at the back to adjust their fittings.
Pattern
The pattern will allow for easy and faster cutting out of trucker hat panels. You can easily buy a downloadable and printable trucker hat pattern online.
Bias Tapes
Bias tapes will be needed for binding seams and raw edges.
Trucker Hats DIY Steps
The easy-to-follow steps below will guide you to sew a trucker hat from the beginning to the end.
1.Cut Out Panels
Your printable trucker hat pattern often comes in three pieces: the back panel, the front panel, and the side panel. To cut out panels, you will simply place each panel on the appropriate material, trace with a chalk or fabric marker, and cut out. Note the following:
- Trace two pieces of the back panel on your mesh material
- Trace two pieces of the side panel on your mesh material too
- Trace one piece of the front panel on the foam.
2. Joining Patterns Together
The next thing is to take your front panel, place the peaks of the Y-sides together, and sew just the front edge. This is going to give that front peak you see on trucker hats. Now, go ahead and place your back two panels and place the right sides together. Sew the back edge.
3.Folding Bias Tape
Using a bias tape folder, line it up with a needle, and tape it onto your sewing machine. Cut your bias tape to the right measurement, and you are ready to start sewing. You can also decide to just tape on without necessarily folding.
4.Lining the Seams of Panels
The next step is to line the seams of the panels with the bias tape. Simply take the back panel, line the seam up in the center of the bias tape folder with your bias tape in it, and just sew all the way through.
5. Join the Panels
You also want to grab the side panel, place the right side on one of the sides of your back panel, and stitch the sides together. With both side panels sewn, pick your front panel and stitch it on all the way around the top edge.
6.Adding Bias Tape to Seams
Add the bias tape to the seams in an X pattern. So, you are going to sew from one end to another across a straight seam to avoid curving.
7.Covering/Preparing the Brim
To cover your brim, place it on the twill or duct canvas material, trace it, and cut out two pieces. The next is to sew straight around the arch to join both pieces together. Turn the right side out, and carefully place your brim inside. You also want to stitch across the brim so it doesn’t slide all around. Make a seam along the back edge of the brim, and trim an inch from the inside of the brim.
8. Joining the Brim to the Crown
To join the brim to the crown, mark the center of the brim and the center of your trucker hat’ crown, line them up, and stitch. You are going to start stitching from the center, therefore, you will stitch one half at a time.
9.Attaching The Swept Band
To attach the swept band, roll the edge over and place it on the swept band. Start stitching all the way around to the bottom of the crown.
10. Attaching the Closure
To attach the closure, roll that swept band end over towards the inside, and place the closure snap in between the outside crown and swept band. Then sew it on. Repeat this process on the second side, and you are done.
How to Make Custom Trucker Hats?
Now that you’ve mastered the steps involved in making a DIY trucker hat, you want to beautify your creations with a touch of personalized flair in the world of custom trucker hats.
As earlier stated, trucker hats were originally invented as custom staples with logos of companies on them. However, custom trucker hat designs are now more than just logos! They are now about creating a unique wearable canvas that reflects your individuality.
Imagine a trucker hat adorned with your own hand-drawn artwork, a vibrant photo montage of your favorite memories, or a witty slogan that perfectly captures your personality.
Take a look at some custom trucker hat design ideas:
Custom Embroidered Trucker Hats: This is a design method that allows you intricate designs and high-quality results. You can embroider your name, initials, a small logo, or even a detailed artwork.
Custom Printed Trucker Hats: Here is a digital printing design that offers a wider color spectrum and also gives you the ability to reproduce even the most complex designs with stunning accuracy. This technique is perfect for vibrant graphics, photographs, and intricate patterns.
Custom Snapback Hats: While technically different from trucker hats, customizing snapbacks follows similar principles. You can add embroidery, print, or even incorporate unique materials like leather or suede.
Customized Trucker Hats with Patch: This design method combines the DIY spirit with a touch of pre-made flair. You can create your own patches using fabric, felt, or even leather, and then sew or iron them onto your trucker hat.
Custom Trucker Hats with Logo: Perfect for businesses, teams, or groups, custom logo trucker hats are a powerful branding tool. You can embroider or print your logo on the front, back, or side of the hat.
How to Style Trucker Hats?
Here are some of the most common and basic ways people style trucker hats:
- The Classic Casual:This is the most straightforward way to wear a trucker hat. Pair it with jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers for a relaxed, everyday look.
- The Sporty Look:Combine your trucker hat with athletic wear like leggings, joggers, and a sports bra for a comfortable and active vibe.
- The Streetwear Style:Trucker hats are a staple in streetwear fashion. Pair them with oversized hoodies, graphic tees, and sneakers for a trendy, urban look.
- The Unexpected Contrast:Create a stylish contrast by pairing your trucker hat with a dress or a skirt.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The beauty of trucker hats is their versatility. Experiment and find what styles work best for you!
Where Can I Buy Trucker Hats?
Trucker hats can easily be found in local embroidery shops and clothing stores. However, if you want to create your trucker hats, FastPrintStar is your go-to place to customize hats online. Their easy-to-use website provides you with the necessary design tools you need to create a hat that will meet your fashion needs.
There are over 20 color options for you to choose from and a wide range of customization options including silk printing, embroidery, sublimation, and leather patches. You can also request a free mock-up design to see how your custom trucker design will turn out.
FastPrint Star is also offering free delivery for every order within 12-16 business days turnaround time. Regardless of your location, you can be sure to get your custom trucker hats with no damage and delivered to your doorpost. Of course, you can order as low as 1 piece to be sure you will be getting high-quality custom trucker hats for your bulk orders.
FastPrintStar treats its customers like royalties, and the benefits it offers its customers are limitless. What are you still waiting for? Visit FastPrintStar today and start designing your unique trucker hat!
Conclusion
Originally associated with truck drivers, trucker hats have found their way into the fashion world! This guide has provided easy-to-follow steps to make your trucker hats for yourself. It has also discussed ways by which you can design your trucker hats, and make them customize.
If you are also running out of styling options, you will find some inspiring trucker hat styles in this guide too.
Whether you’re drawn to classic styles or crave bold individuality, trucker hats offer a canvas for self-expression. With custom trucker hats, your headwear will tell your story
