How to Make an Ancient Greek Headdress

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Things You'll Need

  • Cardstock

  • Mechanical pencil

  • Scissors

  • Two pieces 8.5 x 11-inch brown felt

  • Black fine-tipped permanent marker

  • Gold spray paint

  • Newspaper

  • Elastic headband

  • Needle

  • Thread

  • Glue sticks

  • Hot glue gun

Bring out your inner Greek god or Greek goddess by adorning your hair with a handmade Greek headdress. One of the most recognizable accessories worn by the ancient Greeks is the wreath, which they created with natural materials such as grapevines, floral vines and laurel. With twisted-vine headpieces, each flower or vine represented something in Greek culture, so the adornments of this accessory were significant. The DIY laurel wreath headdress is super easy to make, and it can be decorated in various ways for use with your toga for a Halloween costume, dress up, cosplay or costume parties.

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The Hand-Sewn Laurel Wreath

Step 1: Draw Laurel Leaves Onto Card Stock

Draw a pair of 2-inch laurel leaves onto a piece of card stock. These leaves will serve as a template for all the leaves needed to complete the Grecian style headdress. It is okay if the leaves are not uniform in shape, or completely symmetrical. Real leaves are imperfect, so minor flaws will give the leaves authenticity.

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Step 2: Cut Out the Leaves

Carefully cut around the edges of the leaves and then set them aside.

Step 3: Trace the Leaves Onto Felt

Trace 33 leaves onto a piece of brown felt using the first leaf pattern. Trace the outline of 33 more leaves onto another piece of brown felt using the second leaf pattern. Use a black fine tipped marker so the pattern lines are visible. There should be a total of 66 leaves. This will provide extra in case any mistakes are made when sewing. Cut the leaves out and set them onto a piece of newspaper.

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Step 4: Paint the Leaves

Spray paint the top side of the laurel leaves. Allow the leaves to dry thoroughly, and then turn them over. Spray paint the underside of the leaves and let them dry.

Step 5: Affix Leaves to the Elastic Headband

Center the end of a leaf onto the elastic headband. Make sure that the tip of the leaf extends past the headband fabric. Stitch through the bottom end of the leaf and secure it to the headband. Add another leaf. Make sure that it overlaps the end of the first one. Together the leaves should form a V-pattern. Sew that leaf in place. Repeat the process with all 66 leaves. Repeat the process with all 66 leaves.

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Step 6: Add More Glue

Place a small amount of hot glue on the underside of each laurel leaf for added security. Allow the gold leaf crown to completely dry before trying on your DIY Greek goddess headpiece.

Tip

Use two different shades of green spray paint to create a “living” laurel wreath for this DIY Greek goddess headpiece. Glue red beads to the top of the laurel leaves to represent berries. Mix glitter glue with water and paint each leaf before sewing it onto the elastic headband to give the headdress extra sparkle. Glue small flowers onto the intersection of the laurel leaves.

You can substitute olive leaves for laurel leaves if you wish.

You should be able to pick up the supplies you need at thrift, big box, craft and dollar tree stores.

Warning

Always be careful when using hot glue. Hot glue can absorb into the fabric and burn the skin. Always supervise children under 12 when using a hot glue gun.

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