How to Make a Clay Fedora

Detectives are often portrayed wearing fedoras.

The fedora is a style of hat popularized in the 1920s. Commonly associated in pop culture with detectives and Prohibition-era gangsters, the fedora is still worn by men and women. Due to its distinctive pinched-front shape, the fedora has an iconic and stylish silhouette. You can sculpt a clay fedora as a decorative gift for the mystery or fashion enthusiast in your life.

Things You'll Need

• Polymer clay
• Rolling pin
• Circular cookie cutter
• Ribbon or fabric scrap
• Strong glue

Instructions

1. Knead and roll the clay until it is soft and pliable. Roll the clay into a flat slab about 1/2-inch thick with a rolling pin. Press the cookie cutter down into the clay to create a flat, clay disk; this disk will be the brim of your clay fedora.

2. Pinch off some of the excess clay and roll it into a ball. Continue to add clay until the ball leaves about 3/4 inch of space when centered on your clay disk. Press the ball firmly down onto your clay disk to create the dome of the fedora.

3. Pinch the front of the clay ball to create the distinctive fedora shape. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer's instructions and let it cool completely. Once the clay is cool, glue a ribbon or fabric scrap around the base of the fedora's dome to create a decorative edge.