DIY Captain's Caps for Doll Mardi Gras

A purple version of this captain's cap has both ribbons and a
pearl-like button to finish it's surface.

My green doll cap is trimmed with silk petals and floral ribbon.

The gold cap is trimmed with gems, metallic paper and ribbon.

         "A captain's cap is in fact a peaked cap, peaked hat, service cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations, as well as many uniformed civilian organizations such as law enforcement agencies and fire departments. It derives its name from its short visor, or peak, which was historically made of polished leather but increasingly is made of a cheaper synthetic substitute." Wikipedia.

       To make doll versions of Mardi Gras captains hats you will need the following craft supplies: clean and recycled toilet paper tubes, extra cereal box cardboard, masking tape, acrylic paints, hot glue gun and hot glue, tacky white craft glue, colorful yellow, green and purple scrap papers, trims like: acrylic gems, jewelry parts, buckles, laces, fancy ribbons.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make the basic captain's cap using cardboard tubes. The size of the tube should be dictated by the size of your doll's head. Even though I've used a toilet roll tube for the example caps shown here; crafters may just as easily use larger tubes for larger 18'' dolls etc...
2. Cut the tube lengthwise so that it may be cut properly before tapping it back together with masking tape. The cap must be shaped equally on either side of the slight peak in its middle. This is made a much easier task of the tube is temporarily flattened as you cut.
3. After taping the sides back together, trace around the little caps outside walls to transfer the shape needed for it's top.
4. Cut the top from scrap cardboard and tape it in place. Seal up all the cracks with tape on the outside.
5. Turn the cap over and glue along the seams using white tacky glue. Let dry.
6. Cut a cap brim to shade the doll's eyes. Attach it to the bottom edge like a visor using tape.
7. Using the white glue cover the entire surface of the cap with colorful papers. This will give the cap strength and cover all of the flaws.
8. Now you can decorate the Mardi Gras captain's hat with all kinds of fancy trim. I've included my versions above. If you have adult supervision, us a hot glue gun to make your attachments quicker and easier.

Left, recycled toilet paper tubes, center, tubes cut horizontally and right, sides reattached using
masking tape. The top of the cap has been traced and is ready for cutting out.

Left, the brims for the caps are cut out. Center, every surface is masked for strength. 
Right, the inside of the caps are shown as well.

What the little doll caps look like after these have been covered with colorful construction paper.

Make your own Mardi 

Gras Hat by Creative Hands!