Gather & Glimmer: Host a Princess Hat Crafting Night for Friends

Time feels like it’s moving too fast. Maybe that’s just getting older, or maybe it’s because I’m making fewer vivid memories than I used to. My world has gotten smaller since COVID—I see my friends less, spend more time online, and even order my coffee through an app. And when I look back, the days blur together. Scrolling doesn’t make memories—it just fills time.

But I can remember whole years where so much more happened. There were shared experiences, things made together, and nights filled with laughter.

That’s exactly what was on my mind as I planned a craft night with my friends Darin and Ryan. We see each other about once a month, and they usually pick the craft. This time, I volunteered. I wanted to be part of making a memory, not just showing up for it. And what better way than crafting together? Inspired by a TikTok video, we decided to make princess hats—whimsical, over-the-top, and completely unnecessary in the best way possible.

This is your sign to host a craft night of your own. Reclaim time with friends, create something ridiculous on purpose, and lean into the joy of making. Here’s how I planned ours—and how you can, too.

Gather Your Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fabric: ½ yard of light to medium-weight fabric (cotton, felt—don’t overthink it).
• Hat stabilizer: Pellon 808/809 Craft-Fuse for durability, or use poster board, cardstock, or watercolor paper taped together.
• Decorations: Sequins, beads, artificial flowers, trim, tulle—whatever delights you.
• Tools: Pencil, string/yarn, tape, 18″ ruler (a bendy one is ideal), scissors, iron, and a glue gun or tacky glue.

Make Your Princess Hat!

You could totally wing this, but if you prefer a little precision like I do, follow these simple steps.

1. Draft Your Hat Shape

• Draw a straight line along the edge of your stabilizer (use the non-glue side if using Pellon 808).
• Make a mark toward the left side—this will be your pivot point.
• Decide on your hat height (mine is 12 inches) and mark that measurement from the pivot point.
• Tape a piece of string to a pencil, near the pencil point, making sure the string is slightly longer than your chosen height.
• Holding the string at the pivot point with one finger, draw a curved line from your height mark—aim for slightly more than a quarter circle.

2. Determine the Circumference

• Choose how big you want the opening to be (mine is 22 inches).
• Add 1 inch for seam allowance (so, 23 inches total).
• From your height mark, measure along the curved edge you just drew and mark your desired circumference.
• Draw a straight line connecting your pivot point to the circumference mark.

3. Cut and Prep Your Fabric

• Cut out your stabilizer along the lines you just drew.
• Use it as a pattern to cut your fabric.
• If using Pellon 808/809, fuse it to your fabric with an iron. Here are detailed instructions.

4. Assemble the Hat

• With right sides together, sew along the straight edge from base to tip. Backstitch at the start and end.
• Press the seam open.
• Trim the seam allowance at the tip (but don’t cut into the seam!)
• Turn the hat right side out.

If you used poster board or cardstock instead of Pellon, roll it into a cone shape and insert it into your fabric hat, securing it with tape or glue.

Decorate & Make It Your Own

Now, the fun part! Use a glue gun or tacky glue to attach your embellishments. Sequins, lace, faux flowers—go wild. Maybe even add a tulle train for extra drama.

The best part of this project isn’t just the finished hat (though twirling around in one is highly recommended). It’s the magic of creating together—where quiet focus turns into laughter, mistakes become happy accidents, and the act of making feels just as good as the result.

In a world that tells us to be productive, efficient, and online 24/7, there’s something radical about gathering with friends to make something purely for fun. No algorithm required.

So, who’s coming to your craft night?