Mortarboards – those classic graduation hats seen on every college catalog and brochure – tend to be a bit on the boring side of life. Every year, some students decide to change it up and decorate their cap to stand out from the crowd.
Dennis Kemmerer, senior government journalism major, said he is having someone else decorate his graduation cap so he does not know what it will look like yet. But the reason why he is decorating his cap is clear.
“(I had it decorated) so my guests seated far away will be able to tell where I am,” Kemmerer said.
When thinking about how to decorate a graduation cap, students should consider a theme or statement they would like to make.
Elana Pepper, senior history major, said she would be decorating her graduation cap by writing “to life” in Hebrew for the upcoming commencement.
“It (means) the start to a new life and the end of an old chapter,” Pepper said.
Students could consider thanking their parents by putting a message to them on top of the cap. This can be done with a few coats of brightly colored acrylic paint (around $2 per tube at Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts) or with some glue and rhinestones ($2.99 or more at Michaels).
Sac State alumna Kimberley Walker said she decorated her graduation cap with a “thank you” to her parents.
“I chose to decorate my cap that way because I felt as though that day was only possible because of my parents,” Walker said. “They paid my tuition for all (those) years and just took care of everything and I thought it (would) be a cute surprise for them. I kept it a secret and made them find me in the crowd.”
Fraternity brothers and sorority sisters sometimes choose to thank their Greek families with the letters that representing their organization. Some websites like craftcuts.com will make reusable stencils for around $6. People can make their own stencils by printing the Greek letters from your computer and tracing them onto cardstock, which sells for about 75 cents per sheet at craft stores.
Whatever goes on top of a mortarboard, make sure it is a good representation of the graduating student. Go old school and paint a colorful design that stands out or even just turn a cap into something pretty with lights and feathers. Religious symbols, inside jokes or favorite quotes are all good choices for graduation day.
Using bright colors and materials are good ways to stand out in the crowd.
A traditional graduation cap decoration is to write the student’s graduation year. It is simple and a good way to commemorate the occasion.
A fun idea is to attach battery-operated lights to your graduation cap. This can be done easily with a string of lights and pinning or gluing them to the outside edge of the cap.
Create a photo collage with family and friends on the top of the cap. Scan or make copies of the photos to preserve the originals.
Students can decorate their caps in creative ways from writing their names to writing quotes or sayings across the top. The classic “Hi Mom” is always an option, but think outside the classics, too.
Paint a favorite destination or object on top of a cap with acrylic paint, and then outline the creation with rhinestones.
Use fabric strips in a student’s favorite colors and patterns and either weave or lay them across the top and around the hat and glue with a hot glue gun. Make sure to leave the elastic part alone so it still fits on the student’s head.
Supplies
Glue is a necessary tool to attach most decorations to the graduation cap. Use Elmer’s glue or any drying glue, which costs $1.99 to $4.99 at most craft stores or use a hot glue gun.
Using glitter paint and pens can make a graduation cap look flashy and extravagant. Paint and pens usually cost $5.99 or more and can be found at Michaels and other craft stores.
Gluing or sticking on letters are also simple ways to decorate the graduation cap. These items can be found at most craft stores with prices ranging from $1.99 to $6.99.
Ribbons, faux fur, rhinestones, feather boas and stickers can all be easily added to an existing design to push it over the top. These items usually cost $1 to $10 and can be found at most craft stores.
A 25-pack of 9-by-12-inch felt squares – $6.99 at Jo-Ann – can be used for a number of designs. The leftovers can be used for other crafts or shared with friends during a cap decorating party.
Investing in a glue gun might seem expensive, but it is a sure way to know whatever goes on top of the cap sticks to it and stays there. Glue guns can be found for as little as $3 online.
Brittany Lambert can be reached at [emailprotected]
Q: What are the key safety tips for using a hot glue gun? A: Always check the glue gun for any damage before use, wear protective clothing, use the glue gun at the recommended temperature, and store it in a safety stand. Never leave the glue gun unattended when it is plugged in.
Also, use the stand of your glue gun to rest it on when you are not working with it. Never put the glue gun on its side as the glue could drip, or the nozzle could create a burn mark.
Glue guns that have been left on for too long a period without use (often 30 minutes or more) on a regular basis suffer from the risk of charred glue blocking the nozzle or stopping the ball and spring inside the nozzle from operating allowing the molten glue to flow without trigger pressure.
Q: What should I do if the glue stick is stuck in the gun? A: If the glue stick is stuck, gently heating the gun to soften the glue and then carefully extracting the stick is advised.
Prevent inhalation of hot-glue vapors by using the glue gun in well ventilated areas. Never point a hot glue-gun nozzle at another person • Unplug the glue gun and allow it to cool before changing the nozzle. Do not tilt a hot glue-gun nozzle upwards or attempt to use a hot glue gun to glue overhead items.
Never point the gun in the direction of another person. Do not leave your glue gun plugged in and unattended – this can be a fire hazard and be dangerous for pets, children or other people who may come in contact with the hot appliance.
Don't apply ice. It can lower body temperature and cause further pain and damage. Don't break blisters or apply butter or ointments, which can cause infection.
This is a fire hazard. Unplug it if you are not using it right away. It doesn't take long for a glue gun to heat up, and it's not worth risking a fire for convenience if you need to step away from your task.. To remove the nozzle, unplug the glue gun and allow it to cool down until warm, but not cold.
Almost anyone can use a low temp hot glue gun. For students being first introduced, keep cups of ice water handy for any accidents. Make sure you are using low temp guns and low temp sticks.
Removing the glue stick could damage the internal components of the gun - regardless if the adhesive is runny or hard. Simply leave the glue stick in the glue gun until you use it again. Surplus glue stick may be trimmed off using a sharp knife.
No. A glue gun is designed to accept and feed the correct size sticks only. Do not put mini glue sticks in a the wrong size glue gun, or try to force them to work. This will ultimately damage the glue gun, and the glue sticks will not feed properly.
Is using soap and water not enough? Something a bit stronger like nail polish remover or vinegar can do the trick. Soak a cotton ball with either of the two and dab it on the glue residue. If the finish of the wood is a big concern, use vinegar instead as it is the milder of the two.
Freezing. Place the garment into the freezer for 30 minutes.Once the glue has hardened, gently peel the glue from the surface. If the fabric is too large for the freezer, place a Ziploc bag of ice on the area.
Do you need extra precision and small amounts of glue at a time, for example for model building and different types of crafting? Then you should choose a glue gun that takes 7 mm glue sticks.
Do you glue heat-sensitive materials such as polystyrene, silk, balloons and glass?
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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