32: C is for crown

My little princess is 4 going on 24...No she doesn't wear makeup or get pushed to grow up too fast, but sometimes I can't get over how wise she seems.  So when she gets excited about something young, sweet, and wholesome, I'm all for it.

As most of you know, I made a cute wool felt crown for Theo's birthday and Aurora loved it.  So, of course, I had to make another more girly version.  

And this time, just for you, I made a tutorial.  Without further ado...here it is:

Materials:

2 pieces of wool felt at least 5.5" x 14.5"

Some additional scraps of wool felt

2 1/4" x 10" scrap of fabric

5 1/2" long piece of 3/4" elastic

1 piece of heavyweight fusible interfacing  5.5" x 14.5"

Coordinating thread

small decorative items (vintage buttons, etc.)

Crown Pattern

I used 100% wool felt.  I can't say enough good things about it.  It just feels soooo nice.  I'm no expert so I don't know what the difference is... I can't say it needs to be 100%.

Directions:

1. Cut out crown pieces (using pattern) of 2 different colors of wool felt.  It is possible to line the pattern up with the fold as indicated, but since the felt is so thick, I found it easier to make a full size pattern piece (it doesn't fit on regular paper so I didn't provide it) by taping two halves together.

2.  Trim the outside crown piece down about 1/4" on all sides except the ends.

3.  I used pinking shears on the top edge to fancy it up a bit.  You can do this on 1 or both long edges.

4.  Using the outside felt as a guide, cut a pieces of heavyweight fusible interfacing about 1/8"-1/4" smaller on all sides.  (It's probably possible to skip this since the felt is pretty thick, but I did one with only a lightweight interfacing and I really preferred the stiffness of the heavyweight interfacing).

5.  Fuse the interfacing onto the exterior crown piece according to manufacturer's directions.

6.  Cut 2 squares of scrap felt one 2 5/8" and one 2 1/4".

7.  Draw or print your child's inital so it is approximately 1 1/2" to 1 5/8" tall.  (This doesn't HAVE to be an initial, it could be lightning bolt, flower, butterfly, fleur de lis, or really anything you can think of)

8.  Cut out the letter pattern and place it on the front of the crown, as shown, to check the size.

9.  Cut the letter out of a felt scrap.

10.  Cut out decorations from the felt scraps or anything you want.  Get creative...you can really do anything you'd like on the sides.  For my daughter's I did double flowers with a vintage button in the center.    For my son's I did 3 squares turning each one 45 degrees and added a button in the center.  The patterns are provided for both.  See the detail pix below.

11.  Lay the crown and all decorations out flat to see how you like the placement.

12.  Sew the initial onto the smaller front square.  I used a blanket stitch on my machine.  Obviously any of it could be done by hand.

13.  I used a decorative stitch on my machine to sew the smaller square onto the larger one.

14.  Sew the whole block onto the center of the outside crown piece.  (NOTE: I sewed on all the decoration before I sewed the 2 layers together so the stitching would not show from the inside.)

15.  Next, sew the side decorations onto the outside crown piece.  For the flowers I stitched around the edge of the large one, but just used the button to sew on the smaller one.  For the squares I stitched around the smallest and largest ones.

16.  Sew the two crown layers together along the top and bottom, centering the outside layer on the inside one.  I used another decorative stitch on my machine for the bottom.  (NOTE: If you use a fancy stitch, you might want to leave the bottom until after you've inserted the elastic so it can go down as far as possible between the two layers.  I think this makes it stay on the head better.)  Your ends should line up fairly well...if not, trim them a little.

17.  Cut a piece of 3/4" elastic 5 1/2" long.  (NOTE: I suspect this size should fit just about any kids...it fit both my 1 year old and 4 year old and I could even stretch it onto my head.  But you might want to take measurements of your own and make adjustments.  If you have a smaller 1 year old, it's possible it would be big.)

18.  Cut a piece of fabric 2 1/4" x 10"

19.  Fold the fabric strip in half the long way with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam down the long edge.

20.  Turn the strip right side out.  Press it flat so that the seam is in the center of one side.

21.  Insert the elastic, scrunching up the fabric as necessary so the ends meet.

22.  Baste each end through the fabric and and elastic.

23.  Insert this elastic piece with the seam to the back, into on end of the crown between the two layers.  I inserted it about 1/2" in, but you could use this step to adjust your length.  Putting it as close to the bottom of the crown (but still between the two layers) as possible helps the crown stay one better without covering your little one's eyes.

24.  Sew across the ends through both layers and the elastic in the middle.  Backstitch over that line for added durability.

25.  Insert the other end of the elastic into the other side of the crown, making sure it's not twisted.  Stitch across that end in the same manner.

26.  Trim all threads and you're done!

Now your little one is royalty...

JT

 

Comments

[Brimley]

Brilliant tutorial and pattern - thank you SO much! I'm not 'crafty' but I can use a sewing machine and follow instructions. I whizzed one of these up for each of my girls and they adore them. Thanks for helping me be the Mom I'd hoped to be!

[Jdavis_harte]

I took no time deciding *this* was the crown for my daughter! Well - the one I'll be making, somehow or other - with the help of your excellent writing! I linked & credited you from my blog http://paradigmspaces.blogspot.com , thanks for allowing that. I may be present-minded enough to link again with the final crown, but maybe you know how that goes...

[Mike]

great guide, thanks for posting it!

[Samantha]

Thank you so much for the pattern and tutorial. I've used it for my own son and given as gifts. All the recipients loved them!

[Pam]

I made a few of these for third birthday gifts last year, they were a hit and now are an annual tradition.

[MamaBee]

Great tutorial. I'm planning to make one of these for my little girl's bday in a couple of weeks. Thanks!

[Cheryl]

now that's a really explicit step-by-step tutorial...thanks for giving out the info and the exact steps in order to create such a beautiful "hat" :)

[Kate Berube]

Quick and easy! Super helpful directions! Thanks so much! You can see mine at http://kateberube.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-gifts.html

[patty]

Great job...so beautiful!

[patty]

Great tutorial..Thank you for posting it!

[Libby]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial, I made the crowns as favors for my daughter's 3rd birthday party, everyone loved them! I blogged about it today if you'd like to take a peek. :-) I've only just begun sewing, thanks for making the tutorial so easy to follow!

[Eva Verscheure]

You really made this piece of Good Work! I've got inspired by you, result of my princesses B-day crown you can see here!

[Red Roof Patterns]

Love 'em so much that I featured them on my website!
http://www.redroofpatterns.com/2011/03/crown-patterns-fit-for-prince-or.html

[Drea]

This is soooo adorable!!! thanks for posting it.

[Shanna C]

Loved this idea. I ran with it for my niece's birthday party. I'd love to see what you think of my version. I added bows. I'm a sucker for bows.

http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/felt-birthday-crown.html

I had so much fun making this and it's all thanks to your amazing tutorial! Thanks!