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I kept thinking about a paper object I would like to see in a hat and nothing is begging for millinery more (in my opinion) than a paper cocktail umbrella. They are ridiculously charming for an object that gets thrown away after one use! I blocked my paper over a sinamay layer for strength and painted the flowers on by hand, which went beautifully onto the paper mat. The little cap to the umbrella was harder but I had a drinking glass that was the perfect shape. I was thrilled to discover you can "shred" the mats and I ended up with long paper strands that wrapped around the umbrella spokes to pull the yellow back out. This was a very fun project and I learned some new techniques with paper.

Materials: Paper woven straw in aqua and yellow, sinamay, acrylic paint, and floral wire on an Alice band wrapped in tulle.

SHOP » House of MacGregor

I've wanted to make a bicorne hat for several years. This challenge was the perfect excuse to finally try a custom brim block that's been sitting on my studio shelves since early 2024. I was aiming for a 1990s Vivienne Westwood - John Galliano / 18th century impression with the sculpted brim and neutral tones of bleached toyo straw and linen-hued ribbon.

For the trim, I incorporated something special from my paper ephemera collection. I have always saved the printed paper labels when using vintage feathers. Many are from the 1920s, originating from France and Germany. I used MistyFuse to carefully adhere the labels to the ribbon, then encased the ribbon in silk tulle. This gossamer overlay visually softens the edges of the ribbon and will protect the fragile paper labels when the hat is worn.

Materials: Toyo capelines, grosgrain ribbon, silk tulle, vintage paper labels, millinery wire.

SHOP » Milli Starr

My creative vision for the “Paper Hat Challenge” began with the base form. I selected a toyo paper hat body, originally a white hood, which I dyed taupe. Using a wooden fascinator block, I shaped the hood into its shape. The cut-off pieces from the hat body were repurposed as part of the trim, continuing the theme of transformation. For additional decoration, I combined paper with paper cloth to create a flower accent. Each petal was shaped with traditional French flower-making tools and hand-stitched together, giving the flower its final form. This process allowed me to explore the versatility of paper as both structure and ornament, blending millinery craftsmanship with inventive material use.

Materials: toyo hat body, paper cloth, art paper, stamens, and fosshape.

SHOP » Bay Willow Design

My inspiration for this piece was a play on words: a "newsworthy" hat made from paper. I wanted to transform the traditional newsboy cap—a sturdy, masculine style worn by boys selling newspapers—into something delicate and whimsical.
Using a lightweight toyo paper straw, I created a material that is a direct counterpoint to the cap’s rugged origins. The natural, crisscrossing pattern of the straw reminded me of the delicate, fibrous structure of flower petals and leaves, allowing me to bring a floral, feminine essence to the design. I see the hat as a textural bloom, a wearable piece that combines a strong, historic silhouette with the soft beauty of a flower. This makes it both a playful statement piece and a practical accessory for a hot climate, thanks to its light and airy weave.

Materials: Paper woven toyo capeline, sweat band, flexible plastic strip, paper floral stem wrapping tape, handmade origami flowers, glue, thread, and millinery wire

SHOP » Hazel Green Hats

As a Milliner we have different choices of material to use to create our hats. I love using paper straw because the material cost is reasonable. And, because I buy them white. I can dye them in different colors. They have an open weave that blocks beautifully. I use a wooden block that I have, with an unusual shape.

Buying in white makes it’s easy when you have a customer who wants a certain color hat. Where other hat bodies, like fur felt or wool, only come in certain colors. They aren't easy to dye if the supplier doesn’t have the color I need. I can dye paper straw to the color the customer wants. It’s affordable, easy to block, and creates some very beautiful hats. 

Materials: paper straw, 1/2 inch leather
strip, and a head size ribbon.

SHOP » Hats by Kat

Old and new - with the blocked brim, and folded crown, this quirky Top Hat is reflecting on traditional and alternative ways of designing hats.

Materials: Artist paper, glue, hair comb.

SHOP » Warped mind Milliner

Inspired by nature’s artisanship, I cast my paper hat theme via “Biomorphism”- from Greek bio (life) and morph (form) an aesthetic term using organic shapes, and curvilinear designs to mimic the fluidity of living things. Abstract and stylized images also evoke the natural world.

Starting with flexible packing paper resembling hexagonal bee hive cells, I added embossed art paper, and yellow crepe paper, summoning flower petals, pollinators and honey. Ornamental graphic cards symbolize nature’s repetitive patterns.

Creating the biomorphic paper hat was a rewarding experience, expanding my appreciation of nature, whose beauty is only matched by its ingenuity. The only challenge- my resistance to using glue- was assuaged in learning that birds use mud in their nests, and bees fabricate wax to seal their hives.

Nature’s examples- hard work, resourcefulness, collaboration, originality, perseverance, competition, adaptability, etc. inspire me to explore new techniques, materials, and…make another paper hat!

Materials: Brown packing paper, embossed art paper, crepe paper,
light weight card board, gold and silver paper, and UHU glue.

SHOP » Barbara Volker Millinery

I am a proud Mexican American woman, so I like to celebrate as many aspects of my culture as I can with each new piece I create. For this paper hat challenge, I heavily drew inspiration from the bold colors and floral designs found in traditional Otomi embroidered textiles. The specific jewel tone flowers I created are the colors that usually pop out the most to me when I see these textiles in person. They are also almost always embroidered onto a white or cream base fabric, hence why I chose a plain cream color mat board for my base sombrero.

Materials: Mat Board, Heavy Cardstock, Satin Ribbon.

SHOP » V. Modiste

In 1977 I hand printed a series of 27 unique lithographs drawn on stone in multiple colors entitled Cartouche. In 2025 I transformed one reject proof into a paper 3D hat adding a paper feather made from Japanese paper and a fabric lining. This process represents a full circle reflecting my interests in fine prints and couture millinery. I have one additional unsigned proof to transform and additional round paper for future hats.

Materials: Hand printed unique lithograph from stone from 1977 by Judith Solodkin on HMP handmade paper. Fabric lining, Japanese paper, wire, label.

SHOP » Solo Chapeau

The choice to craft this piece from maps is intentional. This map has been a silent witness to the battles fought against wildfires. By repurposing this map that was used on a fire assignment, I aim to breathe new life into it, transforming tools of navigation into vessels of artistic expression.

The airplanes adorning the headpiece are symbolic of the aviation world of firefighting in the US Forest Service. They are crafted as paper airplanes, a playful yet poignant homage to the paper challenge. The paper airplane is an object familiar to us all, evoking the innocence of childhood and the beginnings of dreams. Here, it serves as a bridge between the lighthearted and the profound—an invitation to consider the delicate balance between playfulness and the weight of responsibility.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this paper hat

Materials: Blocked sinamay base, map of Umpqua National Forest, wire

SHOP » JH Hats

This project was a joy to experience. I do like a challenge and this "Paper Hat Challenge' was a nice change from my traditional thoughts and approach to creating my, "The Crowning of Spring", paper hat.

Searching for materials and coming up with an idea or theme was just the mental exercise that I didn't know that I needed. Paper products in all forms became my obsession and focus. I wanted to create a hat that is colorful and whimsical. Since summer is my favorite time and since it is winding down now ... my thoughts went to a crown of flowers. I am delighted with the finished hat and I can't wait to show this little paper hat off to the world! I hope that she brings a smile to a few faces.

Materials: Paper straw mat, crepe paper rolls, Petersham ribbon, colored tissue paper, gift wrap paper, green card stock, and wire.

SHOP » Geaux Chapeaux Millinery

When presented with the Paper Hat Challenge my first thought was a memory of my mother, sister, and I making waxed crepe paper flowers. The second was a recollection of the Bougainvillea nickname of “Paper Flower.” Both ideas melded perfectly together and the inspiration for the halo base came from the latticed trellises that the Bougainvillea vine is often supported by. Recycled brown paper bag handles provided the perfect material to weave the lattice, and the entire structure was strengthened by a few coats of a common paper crafting supply, Modge Podge. The stamens of the beeswax coated flowers were created from another paper adjacent supply, brads. I’m not sure I would create another paper lattice base, but the wax flowers were such fun that I’m eager to give them another go.

Materials: Brown paper bag handles, Modge Podge, wire, velvet R\ribbon, crepe paper, brads, and beeswax.

SHOP » Lifted Millinery

I work in multiple mediums, from mixed media to watercolor to millinery design and execution. I am Influenced by walking the aisle of my gallery to my studio and nature all around me, which gets my creative juices flowing. My Mother and my Grandmother both influenced me in my art endeavors as a young girl.

My paper hat with its pleasing use of two of my favorite looks, tone on tone and sculptural execution, is a perfect example of why I do what I do. I looked at this hand made paper that I purchased for a unknown mixed media project, and said, what if I used this and crinkled it up a bit and attached it to a base? Wouldn’t that be lovely? I love creating, from unusual flower arrangements to lovely hats. Hope you enjoy “Daphnés French Garden”

Materials: sinimay base, mulberry paper, feather, and glue.

SHOP » Margie Trembley Chapeaux

This creation was inspired by paper fans, disks and crystals. I needed something to attach the materials to, so created a small buckram base and covered it with mini paper cutouts. This challenge inspired me to create a headpiece that was whimsical. Yes I would make another paper hat in the future.

Materials: Buckram base, Silk velvet, ribbon, paper fans, base is covered with mini cutout paper disks, crystal beads

SHOP » McCants Originale Fine Millinery

I have no real paper skills so I fell back on a craft we all learned as kids, paper mache. I was surprised by how easy it was to block wet newspaper but found that it resulted in a lumpy texture. I tried to iron it out but the fibers wouldn’t flatten under heat. So I created a second drape of crepe paper to produce a texture I liked. I think something milliners share is the joy of manipulating different fabrics to create our visions. I am glad I know a little about what paper can do.

Materials: Newspaper, flour, water, crepe paper, craft paint.

SHOP » 1Hipchik Hats