Fascinators

Awwwww....."Fascinators"!!

Will they be the rage this year because of William and Kate's wedding?

This will explain "Fascinators"....
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Here's how to create them....
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And here's some examples of "Fascinators"!

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Hmmmmm......fascinating!!


Wellll....I've just been checking out the instructions on "how to make 'em"...and I'm not impressed!

Here's how I would do it......

If you have some sort of hat form....well you're on your way... but otherwise...

Starting with a headband...PLASTIC OR OTHER ...then adding a sort of oval or circular form to the band would get one going...but the band should be wrapped with ribbon or fabric...to allow your accessories to be hot-glued or sewn to it.

One could use anything...to establish the basic form! Hey....this is crafting!!...How about cutting out the base of a plastic container or one of those black microwaved TV dinner trays that you have just rinsed off!

Trim it to fit....then adhere fabric to it (add some batting to give it some cushioning...if you wish)... with fabric glue/ craft glue/ hot glue....be it ribbon...lining fabric or whatever....to cover the recycled item......but do conceal any rough edges in the process!. Cover the exterior first...and the add a shape of fabric to the inside to cover all of the raw edges. Here...you can glue on trim to conceal the seams. If you require a "spray" of feathers...etc......I would cover a mound of floral foam (the Sahara-type..because it is firmer than the Oasis-type)....repeating....I would cover the foam ..(but I would shape it to fit the form of the hairband).. with a silky "lining" fabric and adhere it to the head band with hot glue or by sewing it on.

(Without a base such as the foam....it would be difficult to arrange feathers..etc...in an upright and other positions)

Then I would begin to insert the accessories, but if your are inserting into the fabric...you will have to perforate the spot before you insert a feather or whatever. For a secure positioning...I would add a bit of glue to the end of whatever I am inserting. The most defining features of the "Fascinator" should be applied in this way. Other accessories..could be applied on the surface to surface method allowing them to make contact with one another.

Your first step....is to establish the shape or form of your Fascinator.....eg....the length and the width and the height. You'll do this with your most prominent accessories...eg...feathers...flower sprigs...beaded sprigs...etc....
From what I've seen at the Royal Wedding......there seems to be no rule for this...but I personally would follow my floral arranging rule..but in opposition....and that is that the base of the arrangement (one's head)...should be 2/3rds to 1/2 of the height of the arrangement. So if you measure from chin to the top of your head...10 ".....allow the arrangement to extend upwards....1/3 x 10 = approx.3.5 inches or.....1/2 x10 = 5".
Of course....some of these "Fascinators" are very extreme...so you have a wide range to choose from.
As for width of the arrangement....well that depends on who's eye you might be responsible for taking out or who's view you might be blocking! LOL!!

Yeah!!
I'm going to make a "Fascinator" for my granddaughter for her "dress-up" Tickle-Trunk.

Willows, I found all that quite fascinating.

I think rather than making one it would be easier to buy one, or tie a ribbon around a short stemed artificial flower and clip it in the hair.

I have to say some of them worn at the
Royal wedding were very pretty.