Make Yourself a Mini Beret Fascinator

Hats are great, and miniature things are fabulous. So what’s better than a mini hat? I decided to take the classic French beret and make it into an adorable little fascinator that is held in place with an elastic band. Follow these quick and easy steps in this hat sewing tutorial to create one for yourself!

Step 1: Pick your fabric. I chose a lightweight red wool and I would recommend something similar in weight. Too thick will be too stiff and too thin will be too floppy, so something in the middle is best. Draw a square 6.5” with chalk on your fabric.

Step 2: Using the square perimeter, draw a circle.

Step 3: Cut out the circle following your chalk line.

Step 4: Pin the circle you cut out onto your fabric.

Step 5: Cut around the circle, using it as a pattern to create a second circle.

Step 6: Cut a small rectangle 2 1/2” tall by 2” wide for the top of the beret.

Step 7: Fold the rectangle in half, right sides together. Stitch one short end and the open long end with a straight stitch at 3/8” seam allowance.

Step 8: Trim the seam allowance down to 1/4″ on the two sewn sides.

Step 9: Turn the rectangle right side out (I like the Fast Turn tube turners) and cut the rectangle down to 1” long.

Step 10: Pin your hat circles together and draw a line down the center.

Step 11: Cut both layers of the hat in half along your chalk line.

Step 12: Separate the layers. Pin the two bottom layers together along the straight edge, right sides facing. Set aside. Place the small rectangle in the center of the straight edge, open end facing the straight edge, then place the remaining piece on top and pin in place.

Step 13: Sew along the two pin edges on a 1/2″ seam allowance. The edge with the rectangle should have it trapped in the seam. Reinforce the area with the rectangle by backstitching on top of it twice.

Step 14: Press the seams open, pressing the rectangle seam allowance to one side.

Step 15: Be sure to press the area around the rectangle on the right side to keep it standing upright.

Step 16: Draw dots to mark your final circle shape, 2 1/2″ around the center point.

Step 17: Connect the dots and draw your final circle.

Step 18: Cut around the chalk line.

Step 19: This is your final size, plus 1/2″ seam allowance. If you’d like it smaller, now is the time to trim it. Make sure to account for your seam allowance.

Step 20: Pin the final hat piece to the other piece and cut around it so they match.

Step 21: Cut a piece of elastic to fit your head, taking into account the diameter of the hat. Add 1” for seam allowance for when it is sewn to the hat. For a point of reference, my elastic was 1/4″ wide and 17 1/2″ long. If you are blonde, you might want to use white elastic. For my hair, the black was hidden well.

Step 22: Pin the elastic to the right side of the hat circle without the rectangle. Line the two ends up with the seam.

Step 23: Baste the elastic in place at 3/8” seam allowance.

Step 24: Place the two hat pieces, right sides together, trapping the entire elastic strap inside. Pin together.

Step 25: Make two marks, 2” apart. This is the area you’ll leave open to turn the hat right side out.

Step 26: Sew the hat pieces together at 1/2″ seam allowance, starting at one mark and ending at the other.

Step 27: Trim the seam allowance down to 1/4″ except for the unsewn area. Leave that section untrimmed!

Step 28: Turn the hat right side out through the opening you did not sew.

Step 29: Use a point turner to poke out the seams to form a nice circle.

Step 30: Stuff the hat with poly fill until you’ve formed your desired amount of pouf!

Step 31: Fold the seam allowances back into the opening.

Step 32: Pin the opening closed and hand sew with a needle and thread.

Step 33: Fluff the hat and push the poly fill around until the circle is even.

Step 34: Put on your sassy mini beret fascinator! I put mine on so my hair covers the elastic, but you could wear yours more like a headband and expose it on purpose if you like. There’s no wrong way!