How to make a Mini Pirate Hat or Mini Tricorn Hat

This how to make a mini pirate hat or mini tricorn hat free pattern and tutorial uses a template to make this accessory possible.  Cute and chic, these mini  hats are fun to wear . Give your pirate costume a fun feminine touch of a mini hat.  Make the perfect mini pirate hat in the perfect size that you want.

The Large Hat is approx. 3.75 inches high
The Medium hat is approx. 3 inches high

The Small Hat is approx 2.25 inches high

The mini hat is approx 1.75 inches high

Materials you will need:

1/4 yard polar fleece or felt

Items to decorate you hat (feathers, ribbon, tulle, brooches)

Barrette Clips or combs

Cording

Hot glue gun

spray on adhesive

The .pdf pattern printed on card-stock.

Sewing Essentials (pins, scissors, etc.)

Sewing Machine

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Download the free pattern here. tutorial below!

You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here. By downloading  you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Click the picture of the pattern envelope to download the .pdf !

Video Tutorial here, Written below:

How to make a Mini Pirate Hat or Mini Tricorn Hat Tutorial

1- Cut out the Pattern

You can find instructions on how to assemble the pattern here.

You will need to print the pattern onto card stock as the pattern will become part of the hat .  Cut out the and assemble the  pattern – be sure to tape the front and the back of the pattern seams (where the paper overlaps) .

Trace the pattern onto the cloth using a marking pen (or even a regular pen – as long as it doesn’t bleed through the fabric.  Be sure to trace the brim twice.  Once on the solid line.  Then cut down to the dotted line and trace again.  Be sure to also trace the hole in the center.

Then cut down all the pattern pieces (the cardstock) to the dotted line.

2 – Prep all the pieces

You now have four pieces of fabric cut out.  Set the smaller brim piece  aside.

Spray the back side of the card stock with glue and center on each piece (there should be about an allowance all the way around – except for the hole in the center of the brim.  That should just line up with the fabric.

Using a glue gun, fold over the excess fabric and glue down along all the edges of the pieces.  Leave the ends of the wall unglued.  The wall seam will appear less bulky if you don’t glue the ends under.

3 – Assemble the wall

 Taking the wall piece, gently fold it around so the two ends overlap (see note).  Glue ends together, be sure to hold it for a while to secure or use a clothes pin or clip to hold it in place.
Note: You should check to make sure that the wall and the top of the hat will fit together properly before gluing the ends of he wall together. Depending on the thickness of the fabric you are using you will need to adjust the overlap for the perfect fit.

4 – Add the top of the hat

Once the wall is secure it’s time to add the top of the hat.  Using your glue gun, glue around the the top part of the wall, just barley on the inside place top on glue hold in place to secure for a few seconds.

5 – Build the brim.

Glue cording along the edge of the brim, all the way around the hat (this will give the edge a nice finished look)  Then glue the smaller brim piece onto the cardstock, taking car the glue the edges really well.

6 – Add the wall to the Hat

Place glue on the bottom of the wall of the hat (lining up the bottom circles) and press firmly onto the brim.  You may need to hold this for several seconds to ensure it is well glued.  You should be gluing the wall to the smaller brim piece that you just glued down.
Tip:  Place the seam where you will be folding up the hat.a In my example I placed the seam in the back.  The brim is an oval shape – the sides should be the thinnest part of the oval and the brim should be wider at the front and back of the hat.

For extra support tape a few pieces of tape between the brim and the wall of the hat.

7 – Fold and finish

I strongly recommend that you play with the hat for a bit , before gluihn the up the brim.  You’ll note that the brim is an oval.  The longer sides are designed to be the fron and the bakc of the hat.  Start with the “back” side, glue the brim of the hat to the wall.  Hold it for at least one minute and repeat two more times to make your hat.  Add a couple of clips or a comb to make it so it can stay in place. You can glue them directly or use a scrap of fleece to glue them on. You could also  use a length of  elastic thread  and make it stay on the head like a party hat.  You now have a blank canvas to work with.

Note:  In example I mad a large size.  with all of the extra’s it’s heavy – you”ll want a sturdy wig or hair in a bun to keep this on your head!  The Smaller sizes are lighter and easier to keep in place.

Now comes the fun part….

This for me is the best part! Add ribbon, tulle, beading, feathers, buttons, brooches, glitter, you name it and make this hat your own. I used tulle, feathers, ribbon and charms in the example. Old jewelry would work well too. Sky is the limit and your creativity reigns – what will your hat look like? Send me a picture ([email protected]) or feel free to post it to the Fleece Fun facebook page!

Some other ideas for this hat –

Trace the pattern onto scrapbook paper and make hats from paper for an even cheaper alternative.

Put together hat making “kits” for party guests to make their own mini top hat (great for pirate parties, birthday parties, girl’s night.)

The Mini size is so stinkin’ cute on little girls and babies – awesome for photos

Dress up a forgotten stuffed animal – and give an old toy new life.

Sky is the limit and your creativity reigns – what will your hat look like?  Send me a picture  ([email protected]) or feel free to post it to the Fleece Fun facebook page!