This is the third and final post in my Victoria magazine series.

As I mentioned in my last post, hats were commonplace in Victoria magazine. In fact, every issue included at least one woman wearing a hat. Here’s a look at some of Victoria’s many hat ladies…

Summer Victoria hats

Photo credits (left to right, top to bottom): Toshi Otsuki, Geoffrey Gross, Toshi Otsuki (3), Tom Hooper, Toshi Otsuki, Luciana Pampalone, Toshi Otsuki

I love high-quality simple straw hats in summer. When I lived in New York City, cozy felt hats were a must for winter. I especially love the big black fur hat, though I doubt I’d have the courage to wear it. It’s too bad we don’t wear hats much on the West Coast. Which one is your favorite hat?

Winter Victoria hats

Photo credits (left to right, top to bottom): Pia Tryde, Thomas Hooper (2), Barry Dunne, Stefano Massimo, Steve Randazzo, Toshi Otsuki (3)

All those hats inspired me to make some paper art using their fabulous shapes. I titled my silhouettes “The Hats of Victoria.” All four are made from one of the hats pictured above. Can you find all of them?

Victoria hats silhouettes

I’ve included pdf downloads of all four patterns after the jump for you to make your own paper hats. I thought it would also be great to mix in other feminine accessories: sexy stiletto, small purse, bright umbrella, etc., so I’m planning to make another set soon.

How to make “The Hats of Victoria” paper silhouettes

Supplies and tools

  • patterned scrapbook paper or wallpaper
  • black paper
  • 4 picture frames
  • scissors
  • glue stick
  • computer, printer, and white paper
  • pencil
  • 4 patterns (see below)

Paper hat silhouette supplies

1. Print out 2-3 of each hat pattern. Download the hat patterns here. You can resize them as necessary to fit your frames.

Cut out the patterns

2. Cut out the hat on one sheet, and the hat stand on another sheet.

Place on top of paper & cut

3. Place the hat pattern on top of your decorative paper, and cut out both pieces of paper together. You might want to use smaller scissors for some of the intricate cuts.

All pieces cut

4. First cut the hat, then the bow/band, then the inside of the hat. Then cut out your hat stand in black paper. There are two reasons to cut out the entire hat as one piece: 1) It’s easier to put all the pieces together in the end, and 2) It gives your art more of a three-dimensional look.

Choose the right paper

5. Make sure your paper isn’t too busy or doesn’t contrast enough. This was my first try, which turned out to be too busy.

Glue the pieces together

6. Glue the pieces together. Use your third printout as a guide, if necessary. Only apply glue to the top part of the hat stand.

Cut the background pieces

7. Trace the cardboard backing piece of each frame onto your background paper and cut out. Glue the hat to the background paper, if desired.

Insert the paper silhouette into the frame

8. Insert the hat and background paper into the frame, and reassemble the frame. Don’t forget to clean the glass.

Hang your frames

9. Hang your frames. For an easy way to get a perfect grid of frames the first try, check out my framed doilies post.