True Halloween confession: I can’t stand the combination of orange and black. Orange I like. Black I like. But orange and black together…not so much. I have hardly any Halloween decorations because, well, what’s in the stores is pretty much all orange and black. So when I spied a plain paper mache witch’s hat at Michael’s, I grabbed it with the thought of making something other than your typical black witch’s hat. Because who said witches can’t have style?
This is a super simple 30 minute DIY that I’m sure you could figure out on your own but I’ll show you how I got the job done. The first step is obviously to pick out your fabric. I wasn’t kidding when I said that I was making a hat for a witch with style…high-end style apparently because she said she’d settle for nothing less than Schumacher. I looked in my fabric sample/remnant stash and Schumacher’s Chiang Mai was the winner. I had just enough fabric from my $5 sample to get the job done.
Center your paper mache hat (which is under $2 with a 40% off coupon at Michael’s) on top of the portion of fabric that you want to cover the hat’s brim with. Use chalk (or a fabric pen if working with a light colored fabric) to trace a circle about two inches out from the edge of the hat’s brim.
Cut out your circle of fabric along the chalk line. Then draw a 4″ circle in the middle (I traced a ramekin for mine) and cut that out too.
Put that piece aside and wrap another piece of fabric around the cone portion of the hat, cutting it so that it will fully wrap around the cone. It’s ok if it the bottom of the piece overlaps the brim a bit. Glue gun your fabric piece (you don’t need much glue!) to the cone portion of the hat so that it lies flat. Trim off any excess fabric. You’ll have an unfinished seam in the back:
Next, put your fabric circle over the top of the cone:
and then glue gun the edges of it to the underside of the brim, keeping the fabric on top smooth:
Almost done – just need the ribbon!
To add the ribbon, I found it was easiest to cut two pieces, glue gun each piece to the back seam and around the side of the hat, and then crossing the pieces in the front. It helps to have a ribbon with some give (mine was jute) so you can get it to lay flat around the cone.
One styling witch’s hat…done!
I haven’t figured out exactly where my witch hat will end up – maybe on our living room ottoman:
or alongside the pumpkins in our kitchen:
I know it’s a little early for Halloween decorating (I won’t put anything else out until October) but so many stores are already starting to clear out their Halloween stuff to make room for the Christmas decorations that I wanted to share this post before Michaels’ paper mache witches hats are gone in case you wanted to pick one up.
See you all later this week!,
cassie says
September 17, 2014 at 7:03 amthat is the most fun witch hat ever!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:31 amThanks Cassie – my husband deemed that Schumacher print “the ugliest fabric ever” so I knew I wouldn’t use it for pillows or anything else in our home but at least I snuck it into our house for a few months this way!
savvy shopper says
September 17, 2014 at 7:21 amJust read your blurb on the Take Two. OMG, a genetics background???? I think that’s amazing that you were able switch gears (successfully, I may add) from scientist to artist – a scientartist. 🙂 Think that witch’s hat would dress up a lab coat very nicely. 😉
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:32 amA scientartist – I love that! That’s got to go on my resume, right?!
Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com says
September 17, 2014 at 7:43 amGREAT idea & SO fabulous! I’m so envious of everyone’s fall decor. It’s still so hot here in Charleston that I can’t get motivated or excited about fall…but the second the weather gets cold I’m on it!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:34 amThanks Krystine – I’m a warm weather girl so I’m jealous it’s still so summery there. It’s gotten so chilly here already!
jeanette van wicklen says
September 17, 2014 at 8:32 ambrilliant and adorable…i’m headed to Michael’s today on my broom, in search of my hat!! luv this girl….!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:36 amHa! I was just in there yesterday and couldn’t believe how much Christmas stuff they already have. One holiday at a time people!
Pam @ Simple Details says
September 17, 2014 at 9:38 amSuper cute idea! Leave it to you to come up with a stylish witch hat! 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:09 pmThanks Pam!
Stephanie says
September 17, 2014 at 11:20 amHi Kris,
I love the witch’s hat. It’s so refreshing to see some Fall/Halloween decoration that is not just the black and orange variety. Can you tell me what fabric you used? Thanks!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:11 pmSure Stephanie – it’s Schumacher’s Chiang Mai fabric in the Aquamarine color. It’s a super expensive fabric but you can order a sample of it from an online fabric store for between $5-7 depending on the store. My sample was easily large enough to make my witch hat!
Tone on Tone Loi Thai says
September 17, 2014 at 11:32 amNow that needs to be on the cover of Martha Stewart!!! Fabulous job, Kris!!! I love your stylish and easy projects. And many congrats on being mentioned on Good Housekeeping! Your star keeps rising. Cheers, Loi
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:12 pmYou are the sweetest Loi – thank you so much!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
September 17, 2014 at 12:26 pmHow flippin cute is that?! And I’m with you on the orange and black combo – imagine that being your school colors. Yep, it was hard to have school spirit for sure.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:13 pmYuck – your school colors? Really? Although my HS colors of green and puke gold maybe weren’t all that much better…
[email protected] says
September 17, 2014 at 12:56 pmNow that’s a hat I would wear! 😉 So cute – I know what you mean about the black and orange – not a fan of that combo. I end up decorating for fall vs. Halloween as a result. Love this idea!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 8:57 pmI’m with you and could totally do without any Halloween decorations but I try to throw a few of them around the house because my kids love it!
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
September 17, 2014 at 2:44 pmSuper cute!! I love this idea!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 8:58 pmThanks Sarah!
Tracy Laverty says
September 17, 2014 at 2:54 pmThat witch hat is stylin! Great idea and I’ve always loved that fabric.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 8:59 pmIt’s a favorite of mine too but my husband thinks it’s hideous so this is as close as I’ll ever get to having it in my house!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
September 17, 2014 at 3:42 pmWow – what is with all the creativity in blogland today?!! That is wayyyyy more up my alley than traditional Halloween decorations – I too am not a huge fan of orange and black (unless they are on some Aquamarine Chiang Mai fabric!!) So clever!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:01 pmThanks Lisa!
Vel says
September 17, 2014 at 7:48 pmYour witch hat is probably the fanciest one I’ve seen so far!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 17, 2014 at 9:02 pmYep, my witch is a high-end kinda girl 🙂
Vanessa says
September 17, 2014 at 11:25 pmThat is fabulous! What a great idea using such a fun non orange and black fabric!
Heather | Decor Fix says
September 19, 2014 at 12:03 amThis is stinkin’ cute. So much potential for fashionable witches!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 19, 2014 at 10:15 amThanks Heather! Enjoy your weekend!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
September 19, 2014 at 10:34 amThat’s one well-outfitted witch!! So cute, Kris!
Karen says
September 21, 2014 at 8:56 amThat’s a great “Happy” witch hat!