DIY African Prints Fascinator Hat

Hello #diyhub community

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing better than finishing a project and seeing it look exactly how you imagined especially when the little person wearing it is this cute!

I made this special fascinator hat for my little one, I wanted something that would really stand out, classy and admirable.

At first I wasn't sure of what designs to bring to life as I have quite a lot of designs in my head but I know every good hat needs a strong structure, and for this project, I started with just a simple piece of wire.

This thin wire hoop is the skeleton of the hat. I had measured the circumference of what I want, I don't want it too big because it's for a 2 years old. You can see where I started wrapping a small section with thread, that's how I keep the shape sturdy and make sure the edges are neat before covering it with fabric.

This fabric is one of a kind of strong print fabrics that instantly makes a piece modern and stylish. I carefully measured, cut, and shaped the fabric to cover the wire base using a wax gum, making sure the dome shape was smooth and clean.

It looks simple when laid out on the floor, but this is the most important step for the hat's final shape!

Once the frame was shaped perfectly, it was time for the fun part.

I chose this bold, beautiful black bishop cap, one that goes perfectly with the African print fabric used.

I positioned it at the center and hand stitched it to the base. This part is where the patience comes in, getting the cap to sit just right and securely sewn on without showing any stitches on the outer part is crucial!

After then , I trimmed off the fabrics covering the cap underneath, and cover up the stitches with a black bias tape

Since this hat is for an active toddler, it needs to stay put! I attached an Alice band to the inner part of the cap. I secured it tightly using a piece of wadding (or padding) to make sure it was comfortable and would hold the fascinator well on her head.

The final details are what take a simple project to the next level. I added that beautiful silver trim and embellishment right where the fabric and the bishop cap meet and a bow to where the trimming edges meet using a wax gum. It gives the hat a lovely sparkle and makes the whole thing look complete and classy.

And here is the finished look!

I was so thrilled with how the shape came out, and that black and white print is just so striking. The best part? Seeing the happy smile on my little model's face when she tried it on. She definitely knows she’s got style!