Crafting A Wedding Hat: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding hat is a fun way to express your creativity and ensure you stand out at your next wedding. Whether you're a guest, the mother of the bride or groom, or even the bride yourself, there are a few key things to consider when making your own wedding hat. Firstly, it's important to design a hat that suits your face shape, hair colour, and wedding hairstyle. For example, those with dark hair should avoid dark bases and fabrics, while those with fair hair should steer clear of pale colours. The type of materials you use is also important – a couple of feathers, some beading, or structured sinamay fabric can be very effective, but it's easy to go overboard. If you're unsure where to start, you can always join a hat-making party, where a professional milliner can guide you through the process.

Characteristics of Making a Wedding Hat

Choosing the right design for your face shape

When making a wedding hat, it's important to consider your face shape and choose a design that will complement your features. Here are some tips to help you choose the right design:

Oval Face

If you have an oval face, congratulations! You have the ideal face shape that can pull off almost any style of hat. Feel free to experiment with different hat designs and shapes. The key is to choose something that harmonises with your outfit and suits your mood.

Round Face

For those with a round face, the goal is to add some asymmetry and create a slimming effect. Go for hats with angular designs and sharp angles. A fedora, a trilby with a wide brim, or a tall top hat can help elongate your face and give it a more defined appearance. Avoid round crowns, as they will emphasise the roundness of your face.

Square Face

If you have a square face, soften your strong angular features with hats that have rounded lines. A fedora with a rounded crown, a bucket hat, or a wide-brimmed sun hat can help balance your face and make it appear more rounded. Avoid hats with sharp angles similar to your facial features, as they may create an overly exaggerated look.

Heart-Shaped Face

If your face is wider at the forehead and narrower at the chin, creating a heart shape, opt for hats with medium-sized brims. A fedora, baseball cap, or beanie can help balance out your facial proportions. Avoid floppy, wide brims that may accentuate the width of your upper face.

Oblong Face

For those with an oblong face, which is longer than it is wide, choose hats with flared brims and low crowns. A sun hat, a cloche, or a large-brimmed fedora can help offset the length of your face. Steer clear of tall crowns, as they will only elongate your face further.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you should ultimately choose a hat that you feel comfortable and confident wearing. You can also consider factors such as your wedding hairstyle, eye colour, and the overall style of your outfit when designing your wedding hat.

Selecting the right materials

Base Materials:

The base of your hat is its foundation, and you can choose from various materials such as felt, mesh, tulle, or sinamay. Felt is a versatile option and can be cut into different shapes like circles, ovals, or triangles. If you use felt, consider covering it with mesh or tulle for a more refined look. Sinamay, a fabric made of woven fibres, is another popular choice as it holds its shape well and can be moulded into various designs.

Decorative Elements:

Feathers, ribbons, silk flowers, beads, sequins, and artificial flowers are all eye-catching additions to your wedding hat. Feathers can be glued onto the base and shaped to create a feathery backdrop. Ribbons can be looped, stapled, or glued to add texture and dimension. Silk flowers, available in a wide range of styles and colours, can be cut and glued onto the base for an elegant touch. Beads, sequins, and artificial jewels can be strategically placed to add sparkle and glamour to your hat.

Fastening Methods:

To secure your fascinator, consider using a headband or a large metal hair clip. Avoid combs and small clips as they may not provide enough support. When gluing the base to the headband or clip, use hot glue, but be careful not to apply too much, especially if other parts of your hat are attached with hot glue, as the steam could cause those parts to loosen.

Complementary Colours:

When selecting materials, consider the colour palette you want to work with. Choose colours that complement your hair colour, eye colour, and wedding attire. For instance, if you have dark hair, opt for bright colours rather than dark fabrics, which will blend into your hair. Those with fair hair should steer clear of very pale colours, unless, of course, you're the bride, in which case, ivory-coloured headpieces are a classic choice.

Face Shape and Hairstyle:

The shape of your face and your wedding hairstyle should also influence your material choices. For instance, if you have a square jaw, softer lines will complement your defined features, while those with round faces can experiment with sharp angles and asymmetrical designs. Remember, the key is to create a hat that flatters your features and enhances your overall wedding look.

Attaching a hairpiece

When it comes to attaching a hairpiece, there are a few options to choose from. It is important to select a hairpiece that will provide stability and keep the fascinator securely on your head. Here are some options and steps to attach a hairpiece for your wedding hat:

Option 1: Headband or Large Metal Hair Clip

• Opt for a plain, smooth-surfaced headband or hair clip that is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide for the best stability.
• Try on the headband first to ensure a snug but comfortable fit. A headband with texture on the underside will also help keep the fascinator in place.
• Apply a thick line of hot glue to the top of the headband or hair clip. Ensure there is enough glue to cover the diameter of your felt base. Position the glue slightly off-centre, towards the side you want the fascinator to tilt.
• Do not apply hot glue to the inside of a hair clip, as it may not reopen.
• Press the felt disc onto the glue immediately and hold it tightly for about 30 seconds to ensure it dries completely.

Option 2: Comb or Small Clip

• While combs and small clips may not provide as much stability as a headband or large clip, they can still be used with caution.
• If using a comb or small clip, be sure to attach it to a sturdy base, such as a felt disc, for added security.
• Hot glue may not be the best option for attaching a comb or small clip. Consider using a strong fabric adhesive or sewing the base to the comb or clip for a more secure hold.

Positioning and Placement

• Fascinators are typically worn near the front of the head, slightly off to one side, and tilted forward.
• When attaching the hairpiece, consider the placement of the fascinator on your head to ensure it is secure and comfortable.
• Try on the headband or hair clip first to determine the best position for the glue, ensuring the fascinator will tilt towards the desired side.

Final Steps and Tips

• Once the glue is dry, your fascinator is ready to be worn! Try it on and adjust as needed.
• Be cautious when working with hot glue, as it can burn your skin. Press items into the glue using the back of a pen or pencil to avoid direct contact.
• If using a comb or clip with hot glue, be mindful that too much steam can cause the glue to weaken, especially if the item is mass-manufactured.

Reviving squashed feathers

When making a wedding hat, it is important to create the right design for your hat. This includes considering your face shape, wedding hairstyle, and eye colour. For instance, if you have dark hair, avoid picking dark bases and fabrics and instead opt for bright colours. If you have a square jawline, go for softer lines, and if you have a round face, you can experiment with sharp angles and slants. Asymmetrical designs are also flattering for all face shapes.

Now, if you want to revive squashed feathers on a wedding hat or fascinator, here is what you can do:

• Use steam carefully: Take care not to use too much steam, especially if the featherssection. feathers are attached with hot glue.section. Support the feathers while they cool to prevent them from lying flat on one side.
• Section: Ensure the steam isn't too hot, as this can damage the feathers. Focus on getting all the tendrils damp.
• Blow-dry: Use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to fluff the tendrils back up while drying. You can adjust the blow setting to high but hold the dryer further away from the feathers to avoid potential damage.

By following these steps, you should be able to revive and fluff your ostrich feathers, making them look beautiful and ready for your wedding hat!

Adding decorations

Now for the fun part: decorating your wedding hat! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Feathers

Cover your felt base with feathers to create a feathery backdrop for other decorations. Use hot glue to attach the feathers to the base, holding each feather in place for 10 to 15 seconds. You can also use feathers to complement other colours in your design, such as pink or peacock feathers. If your hat has been crushed, you can revive squashed feathers with a little steam. Just be careful not to use too much steam, as this can cause the glue to weaken and the feathers to fall off.

Flowers

Add a silk flower as a stylish centerpiece. Cut off the stem so that the bottom of the flower is flat, then glue it onto your base. You can also add smaller flowers or silk leaves to create a more flowery fascinator. If your hat has silk flowers that have become crushed, you can use steam to revive them. Just be careful not to use too much steam, as this can cause the flowers to lose their shape.

Beads, sequins, and gems

Glue on some beads, sequins, or paste-gems to add a bit of sparkle to your hat. You can use a single large bead or a variety of smaller beads to create your desired look.

Ribbon

Create ribbon loops by folding and stapling the ribbon, then glue them onto your base. You can also use wired ribbon to create a 3D effect. Shape the ribbon into loops or waves and glue it onto your hat.

Fringe

Glue fringe around the edge of your felt base to hide the edges and give your hat a finished look. Choose a fringe colour that complements the other colours in your design.

Remember, less is more when it comes to decorating your wedding hat. You don't want to overload it with too many decorations and end up spoiling your stylish creation!

Frequently asked questions