Make a Custom Fabric Play Crown in an Hour

*Updated October 2025

Our friend Anda Corrie shares a tutorial for making a fabric play crown: a favorite dress-up accessory and an instant Halloween costume!

A note about Anda: In September 2024, Anda Corrie passed away. She was a source of inspiration and creativity for Spoonflower readers through the unique projects she shared on this blog. She will be deeply missed. 

Anda: After making my 4-year-old her first paper play crown, she began enlisting me to make them for her nearly constantly. Suffice it to say, they are one of her favorite go-to dress up accessories.

As Halloween grows closer, I started thinking about how to adapt our crown into a more durable version and also use some of the Spoonflower fabric I’ve been hoarding in my sewing room! Need an instant costume? Here’s a quick tutorial for a play crown you can make in an hour or less.

Step 1. Measure your royal’s head circumference

Measure the head of the person that will wear the crown and add 1-1/2” to this measurement.

Step 2. Draw a crown shape

Draw a basic crown shape (straight line along the bottom, pointy triangles along the top) the length you’ve measured on heavy cardstock. Or download this free pattern, print and glue to the card stock and then cut out.

Step 3. Trace the shape

Trace the shape onto the back of your fabric with a fabric pen and then add 1/2” seam allowance. Set aside the cardstock pattern for later use.

Step 4. Cut fabric

Cut two pieces of fabric from this pattern for both the outside and inside of the crown.

Step 5. Sew a straight stitch

With right sides facing in, sew a straight stitch 3/8” from the edge of the sides and top points of the crown. Leave the bottom edge open.

Step 6. Notch the points

Notch the top of the crown’s points and in between each point as well. Turn right-side out and press.

Step 7. Insert cardstock

Slide the card stock pattern inside the crown.

Step 8. Straight stitch

Straight stitch the bias tape along the bottom edge of the crown.

Step 9. Check the fit

At this point, I like to check the fit again on the intended king or queen’s head before closing it up.

Step 10. Finish

Finish by hand stitching the crown closed — or in a pinch you can staple it shut and cover the inside staple ends with washi tape to prevent snagging your highness’s coiffure.

There you have it: a crown fit for a king, queen, prince or princess. If you made this DIY yourself, will you share it by tagging @spoonflower on your social media? We love to see how our community brings Spoonflower’s designs to life.