Making Headpieces for Synchronized Swimming

Many synchronized swimming teams adorn their suits with sequins, rhinestones, crystals and beads and wear matching headpieces to add pizzazz to their competitive routines. Some groups pay to have custom suits and headpieces made for them, but many customize their own swimsuits and headpieces. Create headpieces using plastic canvas that is very flexible and can be wrapped around the swimmer’s head or bun.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic canvas
  • Fabric scraps to match the swimsuit
  • Sequins, rhinestones, beads, crystals
  • Scissors
  • Copper wire
  • Fishing line (4 to 6 pounds)
  • Needle
  • Waterproof spray adhesive
  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a pattern for your headpiece on paper. Cut out a variety of design ideas and place them on a teammate’s head to see how they look and fit. Pick they one that looks the best and most fits the group theme.

    • 2

      Trace the pattern onto the plastic canvas and cut it out.

    • 3

      Place the plastic canvas cutout over fabric that is the same or matches the swimsuit you plan to wear with the headpiece. Use fabric large enough to completely cover the plastic cutout and wrap underneath the backside of the cutout.

    • 4

      Spray waterproof adhesive onto the cutout and smooth the fabric over it.

    • 5

      Thread a needle with fishing line, knotted at one end.

    • 6

      Stitch around the edges of the headpiece to secure the overlap of fabric to the backside of the piece.

    • 7

      Sew on sequins, crystals and rhinestones as desired to match the decorative touches on the swimsuits. Use waterproof glue to attach glitter if desired.

    • 8

      Cut about 1 foot of copper wire. Twist the wire around a pen to create loops in the wire. Wrap the wire into a loop every two inches. The wire will attach to the headpiece.

    • 9

      Sew the looped wire to the underside of the headpiece. The loops will allow you to secure the headpiece to your hair using bobby pins.