DIY Flower Fascinator | Dollar Tree Craft

One of my favorite fashion accessories of retro fashion is the fascinator. I still have not managed to get down a retro hairstyle and adding a fascinator can give me a finished retro look while having my hair down. I made this particular fascinator with a few Dollar Tree items and a piece of scrapbooking paper. Here is the basic process I used to make my DIY Flower Fascinator. The best thing about this project is that you can vary it to reflect your personal style!

What is a Fascinator?

Before I get into the one I designed, let’s talk about what a fascinator is. A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery. Fascinators were originally a type of lightweight knitted head-covering. Since the 1990s the term refers to a form of formal headwear worn as an alternative to the hat; it is usually a large decorative design attached to a band or clip.

The use of the term “fascinator” to describe a particular form of late 20th- and early 21st-century millinery emerged towards the end of the late 20th century, possibly as a term for 1990s designs inspired by the small 1960s cocktail hats designed to perch upon the highly coiffed hairstyles of the period. (Source: Wikipedia)

Fascinators are commonly made with flowers, feathers, and beads but can include any number of things that you wish. In my opinion, the sky is the limit. Let your creativity flow!

DIY Flower Fascinator Materials Needed

stiff cardboard for base (I used a cereal box)
Hot Glue Gun/ Glue Sticks
Scrapbook Cardstock
Headband, Clip, or Barrette
Felt
ModPodge
Scissors
Beads
Faux Flowers

DIY Flower Fascinator Tutorial

Using the cardboard, draw a circle. I used a recycled frosting container to make mine.

Once the circle is drawn, create a teardrop-shaped base. I started the teardrop shape about halfway in the middle of the circle. Cut out teardrop.

Trace tear drop onto scrapbook Cardstock and cut.

Apply 2 thin layers of ModgePodge, waiting about 15 minutes between each layer. This will apply some waterproofing protection.

Cut out a piece of felt to hot glue onto the back of the scrapbook Cardstock. This will give the base a little more stability and give you something soft to have against your hair.

Using flowers, feathers, beads, etc. decorate your fascinator. I used Dollar Tree beads around the base, then I cut a bunch of leaves off of a floral bunch and used one flower. I put one of the beads inside the flower as an added touch. Once I was done with that I thought it needed a little more bling so I added some more beads near the bottom as fringe.

Once decorated and the glue is not quite super hard, use your hand and form the curve of the fascinator for your head shape. Since I am putting mine on a headband I formed it against the headband.

Using hot glue, attach your fascinator to the headband.

Overall, this project was not time-consuming. The biggest amount of time was devoted to putting together the design.

Where would you wear your fascinator? Let me know in the comments! I wear mine to Disney, especially on Dapper Days. You should see the Mad Tea Party Tea Cup Fascinator I created or the Buzz Lightyear one that Julie made.