Dress Up History! Easy DIY Pilgrim Hats for Thanksgiving Fun

What You’ll Need:

Here’s a look at the simple materials you’ll gather for both hats:

• Construction Paper or Cardstock: Black and white are the main colors needed.

• White Paper Plate or Large White Paper: For the bonnet.

• Yellow or Gold Craft Paper: For the hat buckle.

• Scissors

• Glue Stick or Hot Glue Gun (for adult use)

• Tape

Part 1: The Pilgrim Hat (Boys)

This hat is constructed as a flat front piece with an adjustable headband, creating the distinct upright shape and iconic buckle.

Step 1: Cut the Black Hat Pieces

1. The Tall Part (Crown): Cut a single oblong black rectangle. This piece should be skinnier at the top (about 4”) and slightly wider at the base (about 5”). This forms the main vertical portion of the hat.
2. The Brim: Cut a single black rectangle that is slightly wider than the base of the tall part. This is about 7 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. This piece will be glued to the base of the hat.
3. The Buckle: Cut a small square (about 2 inches wide) from the yellow or gold paper. Then, cut a smaller square out of the center of the gold square to create the buckle frame. This will be glued to the center of the white headband a the base of the hat.

Step 2: Cut the White Headband Pieces

1. Headband Strips: Cut two long, skinny white rectangles, approximately 1.5 inches wide by 6 inches long. These strips will form the adjustable band that fits around the child’s head. Cut another headband piece to be glued to the base of the hat. It will be about 5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. This will go under the buckle.

Step 3: Assemble the Hat Front

1. Attach the Headband Piece and Brim: Glue the white 5” X 1.5” rectangle to the base of the hat. (Trim the sides to fit.)Glue or tape the black Brim rectangle piece directly onto the bottom edge of the Tall Part (Crown).Then glue the black brim rectangle (7” by 1.5”) below that.
2. Add the Buckle: Glue the yellow/gold buckle frame right onto the center of the assembled front piece.

Step 4: Attach the Headband and Size

1. Attach Strips: Glue or tape one white Headband Strip to the back edge of the brim/hat assembly on the left, and the other strip to the back edge on the right. Let it dry.
2. Fit the Hat: Place the assembled front piece on your child’s head. Wrap the two white Headband Strips around the back of their head. Overlap them to find the correct size, and staple the strips together securely. This creates the custom-sized, adjustable fit!

Part 2: The Pilgrim Bonnet (Girls)

This simple bonnet uses soft cloth to create the classic look of a gathered head covering.

1.  Start with a 22 inch x 14.5 inch rectangle of fabric. I like to use muslin.
2. Fold over 1 inch on one side for the bonnet brim. Pin it in place. Fold 1/2 inch on the other side for a casing for the yarn to pass through. Pin it in place.
3. Sew the seams for the brim just inside the one inch margin and the seam for the casing. For the casing, be sure to sew the seam just inside the 1/2 inch mark so it’s still wide enough to allow a safety pin to pass through it.
4. Pull out the pins.
5. Cut an 8 inch piece of yarn. Tie it to a safety pin. Close the pin and push the pin through the 1/2 inch casing.
6. Pull both ends of the yarn tight and tie them together. Trim ends of yarn.
7. Sew 10 inch pieces of ribbon to each side of the bonnet, about half way across. It should now be ready for wearing!

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