How to Make a Headdress With Paper Mache

Each feather of a war bonnet represents a brave deed.

A Native American headdress, also called a war bonnet, is the crowning accessory that completes a costume for Halloween or a Thanksgiving play. Normally these headdresses are adorned with rows of feathers, but you can make a version out of paper mache with colorful crepe paper "feathers" instead. Real war bonnets hold great spiritual significance for the Plains Indians, and each feather represents a brave deed. To make this project a learning experience for children, ask them to name a brave dead they have done, or that someone else they know has done, for each feather they add to the headdress.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Flour
• Water
• Crepe paper
• Scissors
• Paint
• Masking tape
• Cardboard

Instructions

1. Fold a piece of newspaper in half lengthwise then then fold it in half again. Wrap the strip of paper around the head of the person who will be wearing the headdress. Tape the ends together to form a headband that fits on the head loosely.

2. Cut a half circle out of cardboard that is the width of the headband. Tape it in place on top of the headband so it can stand up straight. This is the basic headdress form. Set it aside.

3. Make paste for the paper mache by mixing 1/4 cup of flour with enough water to make it look like pancake batter. Boil 4 cups of water in a pan and remove it from the heat. Pour the flour mixture into the water and whisk everything together. Let the paste cool until it reaches room temperature.

4. Tear about 20 sheets of newspaper into 2-inch-wide strips. Dip one strip into the paste and slide your fingers down to remove the excess paste.

5. Wrap the strip of newspaper around the headdress form and smooth it out with your fingers. Continue adding strips so they overlap, and secure the top part of the headdress to the headband securely. Let the paste dry.

6. Paint the headdress form black and let it dry.

7. Cut feather shapes out of different colors of crepe paper. Make them as elaborate or simple as you want. Cut fringe in the sides of the feathers so they will flap slightly. If you want each feather to represent a brave dead, write the dead on the back of each feather.

8. Glue the feathers to the top of the headdress form to completely cover it. Glue additional feathers to hang down from the headband on the sides of the face.