How To Make A Fascinator

The secret to fascinator success? Sinamay, a stiff but malleable fabric. It’s a basic material used in the art of millinery, and it’s easy for a beginner to handle. You only need scissors, an iron, pins, a needle and thread, feathers, and a headband to transform sinamay into a statement piece.

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Fold an 18-inch square of sinamay in half diagonally. Cut along the crease creating two triangles.

On one triangle, draw a line parallel to the longest edge, measuring 4 inches in from that edge. Cut along line to form a strip. Measure another 4-inch strip along longest edge, and cut. Repeat on second triangle to form four strips.

Fold one strip in half lengthwise, and crease. Unfold. Fold cut edges in to meet. Fold again on center crease to hide edges.

Holding ends, pull each strip tightly to lengthen and narrow. Iron each strip on high steam heat until strip adheres to itself.

Form two longest strips into figure eights, and pin. Form “S” shape with one short strip, and pin ends in center. Curl remaining strip into a wide cone; pin.

Offset one figure eight on top of the other, and pin. Add “S” shape, and pin in the center. Add cone to center, and pin.

Use a needle and thread to stitch pieces together. Hot-glue feathers onto center, hiding binding under cone. Remove pins.

Attach fascinator to any headband, using a needle and thread.