For a little whimsy, I’m sharing a floral fascinator that’s easy to make, with inexpensive materials you may already have at home.
It’s the third in a trio of tutorials on how to create unique and fun headpieces or party toppers.
All three millinery designs were made to stock the Mad Hatter’s Trunk Show, where 16 guests chose a fascinator to compliment their fashionable attire. Each then posed for posterity in the party photo booth.
It was in celebration of my milestone Alice in Wonderland, Unbirthday Party.
Today’s floral fascinator project is part of a huge craft blog hop organized by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate. If you’re looking for some creative ideas and inspiration, you’re bound to find it here! Twenty-five bloggers from all over the country are participating in this crafting celebration.
Thanks to all for stopping by! And, a special welcome to those coming from Create with Cynthia and her cute stenciled handkerchief.
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Hats Off
Since I’m spending most of my free time sewing handmade masks these days, I went back into my photo archives to find a craft project I hadn’t already published. Originally, I had intended the floral fascinator “show and tell” for last year, in time for Kentucky Derby parties.
But, in the weeks before the race, my dad went into the hospital, then hospice and passed away. With the virus and stay at home orders, there will not be a Derby this May.
Virus be darned, Sistah B pulled out the floral fascinator I made her to wear as an Easter bonnet. Then she and her husband got on their bikes and had their own Easter parade near their Charleston area neighborhood. She even wore it while taking rescue pup Jack on a walk. Texting me the pictures brightened my Easter.
Hope springs eternal, and I hope we’ll once again be donning fun to fabulous millinery creations for tea parties, May Day garden soirees, and weddings.
And, the Kentucky Derby has been rescheduled for September 5th. It’ll be the perfect occasion to perch a floral fascinator on our heads — while sipping a refreshing (and stiff, lol!) mint julep for good measure!
Or, consider making several now to mail to family or friends for a virtual tea or birthday party on FaceTime or Zoom.Â
How to Make a Floral Fascinator
It’s possible you already have most, if not all the materials you need around the house. If not, supplies are easily ordered online. Your choice of materials and the scale of florals and embellishments will determine how fanciful or elegant the floral fascinator is.
Materials
- Small, disposable foam or paper bowl (4 1/2 to 6″ diameter)
- Scrap paper or newspaper
- Scrap fabric & netting (equivalent of about 1/4 yard, depending on width & dimensions)
- Faux florals & leaves
- Assorted embellishments (ribbon, feathers, etc.)
- Craft foam sheet
- Headband
- Glue sticks
No special equipment is needed; just a pencil, scissors, glue gun, and small knife.
Here, my BFF and college roomie is sporting her sunflower fascinator in the Wonderland Tea Party photo booth.
Step 1: Make a Pattern & Cut Fabric
You can purchase hat bases (see links below) or make an inexpensive one as I did. It’s the foundation for your floral fascinator. To keep it lightweight, I used 4 1/2″ foam bowls as the millinery base. They were leftover from graduation parties.
First, trace the circular bottom of the bowl with a pencil onto a piece of paper. Next, cut out the bottom of the bowl and across one side. Flatten out the foam as best you can, and then trace that shape onto paper. That’s the most challenging part of the project. Don’t fuss too much over the shape, as it just needs to be a rough approximation,
Sketch about 1/3″ extra seam allowance on one edge, and another 1/2″ on one end for overlap.
Now you’re ready to cut out both paper pattern pieces. If you are making more than one floral fascinator, save the pattern to reuse again.
Pin the paper pattern pieces onto fabric of your choosing. It can be any color or print that compliments the florals and embellishments. After all, you’re the designer!
Because of the Wonderland party theme, I had plenty of leftover scraps of black and white, checkerboard fabric.
I used it to create everything from table runners to Character Dolls to another Mad Hatter Fascinator style.
Step 2: Glue Fabric to Bowl Base
Begin by gluing the fabric around the bottom edge of the bowl. Work in sections, pausing to apply pressure to insure the glue holds the fabric in place. Once you’ve gone all the way round, overlap and glue the ends.
Now, flip the bowl over to glue the fabric around the rim. Do this by “pleating” the excess fabric every 1/2″ or so around the top edge.
Flip the bowl over again, and glue the circle of fabric to the bottom. Don’t worry or get overly picky about the edges, as the majority of the fabric will be hidden under the florals and embellishments.
Step 3: Add Florals & Embellishments
For the yellow floral fascinator, I used one giant sunflower and two other larger faux stems — reserving all the large leaves from the stalks. They were leftovers from Bee Wreath and Skep Bee-autiful DIY Inspiration, Party Decorations.
First, I cut the flowers, leaving about 4″ stems. Then I sliced three small slits in the fabric-covered bottom of the bowl base — one for each flower stem. Next, I took several leaves and arranged them under the blooms and glued them into place.
To check the positioning of the flowers, I held the bowl on top of my head while looking into a mirror. Once I was satisfied, I pushed the sunflower stems through, and glued the underside of the blooms in place. Then I snipped off all but about an inch of the stems from the underside of the bowl base.
I also added a butterfly embellishment leftover from How to Make a Floating Teacup Centerpiece.
While the glue was setting up and drying, I cut pieces of ribbon and a bit of netting to create a “tail” for the back, and a little veil in front. They were easily glued in place to the underside edges of the bowl base.
Step 4: Add Headband 
Cut an oval or egg-shape from a sheet of foam or stiff felt. Both are readily available from craft stores.
It should be slightly larger than the base. Then glue it to the rim underside of the floral fascinator.
The picture on the right shows foam glued to the underside of a saucer in How to Make Whimsical Teacup Fascinators. In that case, the oval foam is smaller than the base because the saucer base is large to begin with.
After the glue dries, cut two slits into the foam and slide a plastic or fabric-covered headband (Dollar Tree) through. Don’t glue it in place.
Position the floral fascinator comfortably on the head by easily sliding it along the headband.
Playful Accessory
Although mine may look exaggerated and over-the-top (it was a mad event after all!), each floral fascinator was actually lightweight and easy to wear.
In fact, the gals wore them throughout the party, including while Playing Flamingo Croquet and Building a House of Cards. Sistah B is sporting an indigo blue version of the floral fascinator.
I actually made two of this style, using silk hydrangeas and peonies I had in my craft stash. But, the steps to make them are the same as the sunflower fascinator.
Here’s what they look like from two sides. For the fabric, I used a tiny blue print and ribbons leftover from other projects.
As with the yellow floral fascinator, I used large leaves to dramatic effect.
Rather than a butterfly, I added either a large blue or yellow bird (Dollar Tree) to embellish each.
For a third floral fascinator style, I used up some craft decoration leftovers from the Breakfast at Tiffany’s Theme Brunch.
A piece of pink feathers (Dollar Tree) came from the same boa used to embellish some of the Whimsical Teacup Fascinators.
As Queen of Hearts for the day, I sported the third crafted style —How to Make a Mad Hatter Fascinator. It was more of a top hat design.
All three party favor toppers were included in the Mad Hatter’s Trunk Show. Which style would you have chosen?
See DIY Arts & Craft Project Ideas & Inspiration for a roundup of other how-to’s and tutorials on Debbee’s Buzz.
Craft Blog Hop
I can’t wait to see what projects all these talented bloggers have to show and tell! Next up is my friend Shelley of Calypso in the Country and her DIY napkin rings.
Celebrate & Decorate ⊠At Home With Jemma ⊠Hearth and Vine ⊠My Hubbard HomeÂ
My Thrift Store Addiction ⊠Home is Where the Boat Is ⊠The Painted Apron
Chas’ Crazy Creations ⊠Harbour Breeze Home ⊠My Family Thyme
Sustain My Craft Habit ⊠Birdz of a Feather ⊠Decorate and More ⊠Our Crafty Mom
Design Morsels ⊠White Arrows Home ⊠Create With Cynthia
Debbee’s Buzz ⊠Calypso in the Country ⊠B4 and Afters âŠÂ Purple Hues and MeÂ
Bluesky at Home ⊠Raggedy Bits ⊠Faeries & Fauna ⊠Elle Marie Home ⊠Zucchini Sisters
Healthy Mask Making Bug
Since taking up my new acrylic painting hobby, I haven’t devoted much time to crafting. Lately, most of my available “playtime” is devoted to sewing homemade masks for family, friends, medical staff and first responders.
I was motivated by niece’s hard work detailed in New Normal: Stay Home & Wear a Homemade Mask. Initially though, I was unable to source materials with a stay at home order. Then I read an article on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about a local sewing shop right in my own community.
They are currently selling mask-making kits online that include hard-to-find elastic — with contact free pickup and drop-off. Employees and customers are making and donating thousands of masks for local police and fire departments.
Gotta get back to it. Stay safe all!
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These are so colorful, unique, and fun! If I was still doing dance recitals, I’d make sure to use these in one of the dances! Thanks for sharing.
Oh Chas, they’d be perfect for dance recitals — hadn’t even thought of that! Wouldn’t it be great to go out dancing to lift spirits?
What adorable fascinators! For the past few years, I have been attending various Kentucky Derby parties and we all have so much fun buying cute hats to wear. I’ve seen the prices of them so making them is definitely the way to go! I love the colors and flowers that you used. Such a great idea! Thanks for the great tips and stay well, friend! Shelley
Going to the Derby is on our bucket list, and I’d love to attend a parties as you have Shelley! You’ll have to make yourself a fun hat for your next event.I’ve always been a hat person, and even had my bridesmaids wear fascinators my mom made. As a kid, we went to Lexington and toured several of the horse farms, which I loved.
Really cute hats, and I love all the pictures of ladies wearing them for the Alice In Wonderland party!
Thanks Rachelle. I was really pleased how excited the gals were to model the different styles and wear the fascinators for hours on end.
These are too cute Debbee, I’ve not heard the term floral fascinator before! So much fun for a party, which I hope we can have again soon!
I’m not really sure “floral” fascinator is a millinery term, but I use it to differentiate them from the teacup and mad hatter versions. Perhaps we can begin to gather in small party groups of 6-8 again by later in the summer — sure hope so!
Adorable Debbee, along with your models! I know your mask making efforts and sewing skills are appreciated by everyone in the medical community. Happy to be crafting with you today, stay safe and keep sewing. â„
Thank you Mary, the girls were all great sports donning the fascinators — even ones shaped like tea cups! I’ve only made a few dozen, unlike others like my sister and niece. But, it is nice to be doing something somewhat useful, helpful during these times. You take care too!
These are way too cute. I love it and the photos you shared of people wearing them. Love it Debbee
Thanks Terrie! I created a photo book of the event with an entire spread of pix from the fascinator photo booth. It’s fun to go back and remember the fun party.
I love your over the top fascinator; it’s SO much fun and we all need some fun right now. I also love the idea of an unbirthday birthday. I’ll have to remember this at my next milestone (it’s just 3 years away!). Thanks for digging deep and sharing it with us đ
It’s nice to “meet” you via the hop Sara! Glad you enjoyed the fascinators and party theme. It was my fourth annual How to Host an Extraordinary My Favorite Things Party (Part I). When choosing a theme that year, (and since the party date feel on my “big” birthday that particular year) a Wonderland unbirthday tea part seemed perfect.
These are so fun! Not quite as large as a hat but that’s what I like about it. Hopefully soon we can all host a party for friends and family and maybe your fascinator will be part of the fun.
Boy, I sure hope so Patti — at least maybe an intimate party of 6-8. So, just discovered we are both Pittsburgers; how cool is that?
Oh my goodness how adorable are all of these floral fascinators! Lucky Ladies to be wearing your one of a kind designs! Great to share in this creative blog hop with you!
Thanks so much Jemma, I had a lot of fun creating them. Delighted most appear to have hung to theirs, finding either other occasions to wear them or lent them to someone else.
This is the most fun birthday party idea! I love how the hats turned out. All so pretty and I can’t choose a favorite!!!
It was really a lot of fun Kristin. Since it was the fourth year for the annual My Favorite Things gathering, the girls were ready and willing for some lively fun.
These are all so fun and pretty. What a great party idea. My hubs use to own race horses and I was always to shy to wear and fascinator and I sure wish I did. You ladies look awesome.
Wow, use to have race horses— that’s amazing! I’ve always been a hat person, and would have loved any excuse to wear one! We use to attend the annual Rolling Rock stepple races, and I’d wear a hat every year. Our trip to Ireland this summer has been cancelled. One of the places I had been looking forward so seeing there was the National Stud.
Fascinators surely are fascinating! I’ve not made one but maybe one day. I have been making masks, too. It is a never ending task, for sure! Don’t overwork yourself…. stay safe, healthy, and happy!
Ugh, have to admit I don’t enjoy making masks and find it a stressful exercise Liberty. I keep running into trouble with my sewing machine. It’s pretty old and probably needs a good cleaning/oil and tune up. Even so, it feels like a productive thing to do and people sure are appreciative to receive them. For relaxation I paint.
My sewing machine is old, too. I’m not even sure that I oil it in the right place! But a repairman once told me it was built like a tank (and would last forever). So I am reluctant to replace it, even though it is not computer capable….
Liberty
Yesterday the bobbin holder thingy broke and I had to go out and get a new one — thankfully they had one. Kinda ironic I had to go into a store to make masks for social distancing huh? Mine is old school too, so no computer connection.
Debbee, seems like you are everywhere today ! Love the floral hats. I have a challenge for you since..we are going nowhere anytime soon. Can you make a fascinator with a mask ? A couple of weeks ago, I saw a family with face shields that looked like the band went on the forehead and had a clear plastic face shield (think about a welder’s mask). They were having such fun taking pictures. Stay well.
It’s been frustrating making the masks with my old machine that needs a tune-up or something. Seems to take me forever to make each one. Decided to stop adding the pipe cleaner or wire, as that’s where I run into the most problems with jamming, breaking needles, etc. So, I’m gonna pass on your humorous challenge lol.
Hummm. Do you have any FabriTac ? You could glue it on the outside or make a pocket (like for a curtain rod) and run the pipe cleaner thru. I was thinking about drawing cat whiskers on mine. Boredom is sitting in.
Watched a few online videos and came up with a hybrid plan of my own that seems to workaround issues have with the machine.
Debbee, your fasinators are all so adorable! I love making fascinators, too! I made one using my Bowdabra. But mine doesn’t compare to the ones you designed for your party! So cool! And what a fun time!
Gail, you’re one of the rare individuals I’ve come across who’ve made a fascinator or two. Isn’t it fun? I’ll bet yours are stylish and fun too. I had never heard of a Bowdabra before and checked it out — gonna have to get one!
This looks like so much fun…I just have to do this for a spring luncheon or tea…we all need a bit of whimsy in our lives when this pandemic rests…LOVE THIS!
Oh I hope you do Sandi!If so, I’d love to see your creations. I’m thinking of surprising my mom with one for Mother’s Day, one she can actually wear to church. She’s a hat person now living in the deep south (Charleston) and would love it.
Cute and clever! Too bad there will be no Kentucky Derby this year – these are perfect ideas for that event!
Hi Patti, hopefully the rescheduled Derby date of Sept 5th will go on.
Love your fascinators! Forwarding it to my son who has a crafty gf. He has attend Derby parties before and this is such a great idea! I am using my folded hanky with 2 hair elastics for my biweekly grocery outing and it suffices. LL Bean and New Balance here in Maine converted their factories to mask making–50000/day and 5,000 a shift which cooled down my enthusiasm but every bit helps! And yours are made with love!
Thanks Kathy! I was thinking how fun it would be to get the ladies all together via Zoom wearing our fascinators for a virtual Favorite Things Party. My progress is slow on the masks as I continue to have problems with my old sewing machine. I’ve stopped using the pipe cleaner or floral wire as it seems to be the common denominator with the feed getting stuck or needle breaking. My friends and family have been very appreciative. Planning to send out another batch this week.
Debbee, I love fascinators. When you have a small head and short hair like I do, they are perfect. I have 2 or 3. I know I wouldn’t make one, but I love looking at all the pretty ones you have. It will be sad not to have a Kentucky Derby this year. this year was our party year, we had already sent out our save the dates. Hopefully, we can have the party on Labor Day weekend and the fascinators will come out.
I do think fascinators look great with shorter hair or long hair pulled back or up. I’m sure you look great in your hats Carol! If you host on the new Sept date, your Derby party will be much appreciated and reason for celebration.
Debbee, I’ve never heard the term fascinator, but I’ve seen the hats before…they remind me most of the royals! You did an amazing job making fascinators for you and your friends. What a fabulous party that must’ve been! My favorite is the pink and blue one inspired by Breakfast at Tiffanys. I’m going to join you in the mask making efforts, as a member of my church just asked for help and has patterns available. Wish me luck! It was fun to be hopping with you again!
My bridesmaids actually wore fascinators my mom made. I’ve always loved them and hats. If I had enough space, I’d love to collect vintage hats. So glad you enjoyed my amateur millinery efforts. Welcome to the mask making club Rebecca! I use one of the techniques popular on YouTube but add floral wire for molding over the bridge of the nose. Helps get a better fit, and especially reduces condensation for those wearing eyeglasses.
These are adorable, Debbee! You did an amazing job and your guests look like they really enjoyed them! Pinned!
Debbee, I love your Floral Fascinator. Sunflowers are my favorite flower and the butterfly tucked in is so cute. As always, you are so crafty and I just love your unique ideas. Hope you are staying safe and healthy. Pinned! So nice hopping with you and hope we can do it again.
Thank you Cynthia. The sunflower fascinator is my favorite. My BFF has lended it out to several friends for various occasions and it makes me happy to spread the sunshine! Someday, I hope to attend the Derby wearing my own over-the-top creation. I did get to wear one to the races at Saratoga Springs as part of a corporate event and it was a blast.
These are awesome.
I’m with Chas… these would be great for ballet productions! My daughter had a much more modified version of a fascinator when she was the emerald princess in the Wizard of Oz. Her little sparkly green top hat was adorable!
I’ll bet that was a fabulous production enjoyed by both the kids and parents! Having now adult sons, I never thought about how well the mad hatters would look as toppers to ballet costumes.
Debbee, Somehow I overlooked this darling post–I apologize. It is absolutely delightful! Pinning!
Thank you Cecilia, glad you enjoyed it.
Your fascinators are so fun, lively and each so unique! Of course, I’m partial to your sunflower one. đ
The sunflower fascinator would suit you perfectly Allyson! My BFF has lent it to several ladies for various flower garden, tea party and horse race events.
This sure is a post I don’t mind seeing again. So much fun, and loving all the variations. And, sunflowers are really the password for the Day! Hugs, Sandi
Well thanks for returning for a second visit Sandra! I shared it again because the first time everyone was in lockdown. Now people are looking forward to tea and garden parties, and the Kentucky Derby again.
Your fascinators turned out adorable! It looks like you had a fascinating time at your mad event lol! I loved themed parties and yours was perfect. Thanks for sharing Crafty Creators!
It was a blast Niki, and part of the fun was all the planning and crafting for a year in advance of the event. But, the fascinators continue to make appearances at Derby parties, teas, bridal showers, and even Halloween lol!