Do you remember, way back in the day, ever seeing a picture of a woman wearing an oval-shaped hat? The hat was just an oval piece of fabric, with lots of lace and bows, and it was clipped onto the hair. The ends of the oval folded down over the sides of the head for a cute look to the curly, short hair of the day. You can make those types of hats, and many others, just by using a headband as the hat holder. If you have a wide headband you’re all set!
Turn one headband into many hats or other hair accessories by making a sleeve. The best fabric is a type that closely matches the color of the headband, and a type of cloth that doesn’t easily unravel. If you were to lay a ruler on a piece of folded fabric, and draw across the long side of the ruler, opposite the fold, this would be something like the sleeve you need. However, the sleeve you make should be wide enough to go over the widest part of the headband. Cut the sleeve to go from an area above one ear, to an area above the other ear.
To sew the sleeve, fold the fabric so that the right sides are together, and sew down the long side, opposite the fold. Leave the two short ends open. Use peel-n-stick Velcro and place dots of it along the top of the sleeve. Place at least one Velcro dot near each end of the sleeve.
Make assorted hats to stick onto the headband sleeve. Cut an oval of fabric, sew lace around and around it, then attach tiny bows. Or, cut a circle of fabric, then a smaller circle, and a smaller one, to create a layered effect. Layer lace shapes, add ribbon accents, or otherwise create the hat designs you want. The ideal hat will cover the headband from right above one ear, to an area just above the other ear. Place Velcro dots on the underside of the hat pieces you’ve made. Make sure these dots coordinate with the ones on the sleeve.
To wear any one of the hats, slide the sleeve over an existing, wide headband, then stick on the hat of choice. Whenever you’re finished wearing it, just slide it off, sleeve and all.
The sleeve and hat combination can help you create the retro look of an oval hat, a little girl’s church hat, or any number of other designs. Experiment with various fabrics and lace, ribbons and embellishments, and other accents. You’ll love the unusual hats; they’re gorgeous and easy to make.