How to Make Victorian Hats for Decoration

Victorian hats are elaborate, lavish and beautiful. Use Victorian hats to decorate a formal bedroom, sitting room or craft room or in a softer, country-style room. Victorian hats can range from dark velvets to light straw and linen decorated with flowers and ribbons. Display your Victorian hats on shelves, hat stands or an old-fashioned coat and hat rack or hall tree.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wide-brimmed hat
• Ribbons
• Flowers
• Feathers
• Felt or crinoline
• Hand sewing needle
• Thread
• Glue

1. Find a basic wide-brimmed hat. The hat can be straw, linen, velvet or wool; however, it should have a relatively low crown and wide brim. Wide-brimmed Victorian hats for decoration can be purchased new at craft stores or department stores or bought used at thrift stores or garage sales.

2. Dampen the hat with water from a spray bottle and reshape if needed to smooth out wrinkles or damage. Some hats, particularly wool hats, may do better if reshaped with steam. A wig or hat form can help you create a nice shape while working with your Victorian hats for decoration. The brim of the hat may be left quite flat or pleated and turned up at the front.

3. Add a decorative band to your Victorian hat. Ribbon is ideal for this, particularly wide and lavish ribbons. Consider using real silk ribbon for a particularly beautiful look. If you would like a very wide band, fabric may be used after you finish the edges of the fabric or seam it into a long tube and press the seam to the back. Decide whether you will add embellishments at the front or back of the hat. Stitch or glue the band into place. Glue can work quite well when you make hats for decoration; however, place the ends of the ribbon band where they will be hidden by flowers and other ornaments.

4. Arrange flowers or feathers as desired. Stitch your flowers, feathers, or other ornaments to a felt or crinoline backing. This will prevent drooping and keep your Victorian hat looking beautiful. Sew or glue this into place on your Victorian hat as you prefer. You can also opt to pin this into place instead of gluing it to your hat to allow for changes with the seasons on your Victorian hats for decoration if you like.

5. Add a wide ribbon bow or streamers to your hat. You can place the streamers at the back of the hat as a decorative touch, or to the sides of the hat, to be used as ties. As an alternative to ribbon, consider bands of sheer silk fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose ribbons and trims that coordinate well with your room and the overall style of your hat.

References

• Victoriana.com
• Fantasylandcostumeco,com
• Costumes.org