The mortarboard cap got its name as the shape of the graduation cap started to resemble the shape of the flat board used by bricklayers to lay mortar. Soon thereafter, the idea that the cap represented the hard work and knowledge it took to become a master workman was tied to the years of hard work a student put in to build up the knowledge leading to graduation. For more than 100 years, the mortarboard cap has become a widely used symbol of academia and learning across the globe. The pattern for our mortarboard cap features a cloth covered mortarboard top attached to a fitted cap. Elastic in the bottom edge of the cap makes for a sure fit. A tutorial is included for making the cloth covered button on the top of the cap from a plain shank or flat button. Also included with this pattern are tutorials for making two types of tassels and honor cords as well as a pattern for a graduation stole.
Complete your graduation outfit with the Graduation Gown, sold separately.
This PDF sewing pattern, by Thimbles and Acorns, is designed to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl® and Other Similarly Sized Dolls.
Suggested Fabrics: Mortarboard Cap and Stole in light to medium weight fabrics such as crepe backed satin, satin, peachskin, broadcloth, sateen, quilting cotton. Not suitable for knits. Mortarboard Cap Board in heavy chipboard. Note: Two layers of lighter weight chipboard, such as that used for cereal boxes, can be glued together and used in place of the heavy chipboard. Glue the layers together with stick glue and weigh down with books until the glue is set to prevent warping.
Supplies Needed:
Fabric:
- Mortarboard Cap - 1/3 yard 45” wide fabric
- Stole - 1/3 yard 45” wide fabric, or a 12” x 10” scrap
- Mortarboard Cap Board - 5”x12” piece of chipboard
Notions:
- Thread
- Buttonhole thread
- Twelve inches of 1/4” wide elastic
- Stick glue AND school glue, tacky glue, or hot glue
- One 1/2” wide fabric covered button blank OR plain shank button OR plain flat button
- One 1/2” wide flat button
- Three skeins perle cotton embroidery thread, or preferred string for tassels and cords
Tools:
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Eyelet cutter or Awl
- Tape
- Pins
- Hand sewing needle
- Tapestry Needle
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Small safety pin
- Iron and pressing tools
- Blunt needle or point turner
- Common nail for aligning the cap and mortarboard
- 15 ounce food can for weight
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 25 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides full color step-by-step illustrated instructions and full size pattern pieces. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available.
Download, Print, Sew!
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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with American Girl®
