Coonskin Hat Craft

For those who oppose using animal for clothing, faux coonskin is available.

Coonskin caps were common in pioneer days. Coonskin caps even enjoyed a revival in the 1950s when shows, such as the Davy Crockett miniseries, stimulated the imagination of kids across America. Today, coonskins are fairly difficult to find, but you can still create coonskin hat craft using the more widely available buckskin or other natural fabrics, and adorning them with raccoon tails. So saddle up and head out to your local craft mercantile for a few creative provisions, because it’s time to make a coonskin hat craft.

Measuring the Head

Measure the head of the person who will be wearing the coonskin hat. Cut a 2-inch wide piece of cardboard measuring a 1/2 inch longer than the exact measurement of the head. This extra 1/2 inch allows for stapling the ends together. Place the band around the head and adjust it for a snug fit, then remove the band from the head and staple the ends together.

Cutting the Buckskin

Lay out the piece of buckskin, right side down on a flat surface. Place the cardboard circle on top of the buckskin and draw a circle around it. Draw another circle 2 1/2 inches out from the inner circle, then cut the circles from the buckskin on the outer tracing lines.

Assembling the Cap

Place craft glue all the way around the outer edges of the cardboard circle and a line of glue close to the top edge of the cardboard band on the inside. Lay the buckskin on a flat surface, right side down. Place the cardboard circle on the previously traced inner circle. Fold the buckskin up and over the cardboard band. The glue placed in the center will secure the buckskin. As you proceed, cut several small slits in the buckskin as necessary to allow the buckskin to fold neatly over the cardboard band without bunching up and overlapping. Continue until you have glued the buckskin completely to the cardboard band and allow it to dry.

Pin the Tail on the Cap

Staple the coonskin tail to the back of the buckskin covered-band to complete the coonskin hat. If you wish to make the tail of the hat interchangeable, secure it to the band with a safety pin.This allows you to swap in squirrel tails if you wish.