The fascinator is a headpiece usually worn on formal occasions like weddings and racing events like a Royal Ascot. They are a stylish and trendy alternative to a hat.
Follow these steps to create your own fascinator and make it your own with different colors, jewels, sequins and feathers. Then highlight your gorgeous fascinator creation in my framed backdrop or add it to a head band and wear it! What better backdrop (or attire) for a Royal Tea Party celebration. You'll be fashion forward to watch the Royal Wedding, the Kentucky Derby, or your favorite episode of Downtown Abbey!
Cut the foam roller into a piece approx 2 inches long. This is the core/crown of the mini hat.
Cut the felt into circles that will make the hat brim and the cover the top of the crown. I traced around the ribbon spool to get a larger circle for the brim.
Trace around the foam roller to get the correct size for the felt piece that will cover the top of the crown.
For both of these felt pieces you can also cut using a large hole punch or Cricut cutting machine.
Then glue (use fabric or hot glue) the smaller piece of felt onto the top of the hat crown.
Wrap ribbon around the 2-inch piece of foam roller. Cover the entire length of the foam roller.
At the same time, cut a piece of sequin trim and glue this to the top and bottom of the section of roller (on top of the ribbon).
Note: Pearl trim is also a lovely alternative to sequins.
Secure the end of the ribbon with pearl topped floral pins.
At the bottom of the crown glue a small fabric flower to the base. Then follow with the larger felt circle to create the base of the hat.
Next it is time to get creative with your fascinator "plume" using ribbon, feathers, tulle and milliner netting.
First glue feathers to the bottom of the hat.
Then cut lengths of tulle and netting. Fold or fan out to your preference and secure in the center with strips of ribbon.
Secure these on top of the feathers at the bottom of the hat.
Add a smaller circle of felt over the top of the decorative plume under the brim of the hat to give it a smooth finish.
The fascinator is now ready to either be attached to your backdrop or added to a headband so that you can wear it.
To wear the fascinator, first wrap a headband in ribbon.
Glue one end of ribbon to the bottom of the headband, wrap it around to the other end and glue again.
Next position the fascinator on the headband and glue in position. The fascinator can now be worn.
To create the backdrop, the fascinator will be placed inside a frame on either a boxwood wall or crown themed wrapping paper.
To create the boxwood backdrop, follow the steps I used for my DIY Marble & Boxwood Seating Chart.
Next, either hang the Antique Picture Frame Cutouts on the boxwood backdrop using an S hook or use command hook strips to attach the frame to the wrapping paper backdrop.
Once you've hung the Antique Picture Frame Cutouts, it is time to attach the fascinators to the backdrop. Note: Do not attach the headband if you are using the fascinators on the backdrop. Use floral wire to attach the fascinator to the boxwood, thread the wire through the hat and then onto the mat. Use command hook strips to attach the fascinator to the wrapping paper backdrop. Your backdrop is now ready!
For more ideas on be sure to check out How to Host a Royal Tea Party and my fabulous Royal Pimms Punch to serve your guests.
Photography: Photography Hill