How to Make a Paper and Cloth Wide-brim Lady's Bonnet for Tea Parties

Paper and cloth wide brimmed bonnets are fun to make. Many mothers, and a few fathers, made these types of hats for our children's hat parade at school, and we all had a ball. Here is a simple way you can make a basic hat that can be decorated any way you like.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper that is at least 3 by 3 feet (butcher paper works well)
• <br>A coffee can
• <br>Glue (white glue or hot glue)
• <br>A large rubber band
• <br>Wide cloth ribbon
• <br>Your choice of decorations
• <br>Scissors

1. First, drape your paper evenly over the top of the overturned coffee can.

2. Next, start to pleat the paper around the coffee can, gluing the paper down as you go. Make a pleat on one side and the make a pleat on the opposite side so that the hat is even. Continue making pleats all the way around the coffee can until the paper is hat shaped.

3. Use the rubber band to hold the pleats in place until the glue dries.

4. Cut all of the edges off of the paper so that you have a round, or oblong, shaped rim.

5. Once the glue is dry, take off the rubber band and rap your ribbon around the hat for a hat band. Tie the ribbon in a knot or a big bow.

6. 
    
   The author in her decorated hat.

   Finally, decorate your hat.

Tips & Warnings

• Silk flowers make great decorations for these hats.
• <br>Use two layers of paper in different colors and sizes for a fancier look.
• <br>For a children's hat use a smaller coffee can.