How to Make a Pattern for a Tricorner Hat
The tricorn, or tricorner, hat is normally associated with pirates or the Colonial time period. Other names for the tricorn hat include tricorne or three-cornered hat. Follow some instructions for a tag board pattern to create a tricorn hat. The hat can be adjusted to fit the size of the individual wearing the hat by simply adjusting the size of the hat band. The same process can be used when making a tricorn hat out of other material that is easily cut and rolled.
Instructions
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Tricorn Hat Band and Top
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1
Cut a strip of tag board 3 inches wide by 22 inches long. Draw a line 1 inch from one of the strip ends to use for the hat band overlap. Place the paper around the child's head and hold to form the hat band, making sure there is one finger width of room between the head and the band. Staple the hat band together at the overlap. Cut off excess tag board.
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2
Draw an 8-inch by 7 1/2-inch oval on the tag board. Cut out the oval. Center and draw a second oval that measures 5 5/8 inches by 6 1/2 inches on one side of the oval previously cut.
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3
Draw small "V" notches between the drawn oval and cut edge of the oval. The point of the "V" will be on the drawn oval line and the width of the notch will be 7/8 inch. Space the "V" notches 1/2 inch apart. Cut out all notches.
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4
Sit the hat band on top of the oval. Adjust the depth of the notches so they touch the hat band to fit each individual child. Remove the hat band and fold the notches up.
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5
Place a ring of glue on the inside edge of the hat band. Sit the hat band on the notched paper so all notches are inside of the brim. Press each notch against the ring of glue and let dry. Place more glue on the notches if necessary to hold the two pieces together.
Tricorn Brim Instructions
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6
Draw an oval on the tag board 20 by 23 inches. Lightly draw a large triangle over the oval with each point of the triangle extending between 2 to 4 inches past the oval outline. Cut out the oval.
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7
Center the dried top hat and hat band on the center of the oval. Trace around the outside of the hat band. Draw a line 1 inch in from the hat band oval. Cut out the smallest oval.
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8
Draw small "V" notches between the drawn oval and cut edge of the oval. The point of the "V" will be on the drawn oval line and the width of the notch will be 7/8 inch. Space the "V" notches 1/2 inch apart.
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9
Cut out all notches. Fold the notches up.
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10
Place a ring of glue around the inside open edge of the hat band. Place the top of the hat on the table with the glued edge up.
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11
Place the notches on the brim of the hat into the center of the hat band. Press the tabs against the glue. Add more glue if necessary to secure the brim to the hat band. Turn the hat over so the brim is sitting on the table and let dry.
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12
Center the rolling pin on the brim between two triangle marks. The area left between the points of the cut off triangle will create three ends for the tricorn hat. Hold the edge of the brim against the bottom of the rolling pin. Roll the rolling pin toward the center of the hat. Repeat with other two edges.
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Tips & Warnings
Use fabric glue instead of white glue when using the pattern to make a tricorn hat out of felt or fabric.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pirate statue image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
