Cocktail Party Hat

You will need 1 sheet of plastic canvas, scissors, scraps of fabric, measuring tape, needle and thread, an iron, 2 clear, plastic hair combs, birdcage veil netting, (I ordered mine from Amazon- the cost was $2.99 per yard). I also used my sewing machine but this hat could be made with a needle and thread.

Cut 2 pieces of plastic canvas, 13-1/2" x 1-1/4".

Cut 2 pieces of fabric, 3-1/2" x 14-1/2". Fold each in half long-wise. Stitch one short end and down the long edge with 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a short end open. Turn right side out.

Slide a strip of plastic canvas into each fabric casing. fold the open edges of fabric to the inside and hand stitch closed.

Overlap and hand sew the fabric covered plastic canvas pieces together at the ends as pictured so that there is a 3" gap between them.

Cut 10 squares, 6" x 6". Fold a square in half and press. open the square and fold the outside edges to the center fold line, press. Fold the top edge down so that both raw edges are together. Press. Using a needle and thread, gather the raw edges and gently pull until gathered. Sew 3 or 4 stitches in the same place so that it is secure and doesn't come undone. Repeat these steps with the other 9 squares.

On the back of the hat, pin 6 "Petals", overlapping so that the gathered edges are covered and all of the "Petals" are facing the same direction. Hand stitch in place. Tack down the folded edges with a few stitches so they are secure also.

On the front of the hat, sew 2 "Petals" on each side, overlapping. The gathered edges should be facing the center and the bow will hide the raw edges when stitched in place.

For the bow, cut a piece of fabric 12" x 6". Fold in half lengthwise and press. open up and fold the sides to the folded crease. Press. Fold the outside, raw edges to the center and, using a needle and thread, gather the center of bow.

Cut a piece of fabric 3" x 4". Fold this in half lengthwise and press. open and fold the outside edges to the center crease. Press. Wrap this around the center of bow and hand stitch in place.

Hand sew the bow onto the hat at the front center.

Cut a piece of netting 14" long. Place on top of the hat, make pleats at the sides so it fits loose, tuck the edges to the underside and pin in place. After you have arranged it where you want it, hand stitch.

Hand stitch 2 clear plastic combs under the hat, one near each side.

This hat could be made in different colors to match many different outfits.