Birthday Crowns

A large number of the Google-generated hits to this site are from those of you looking for birthday crowns in some form or other: patterns for birthday crowns, birthday crowns for sale, paper birthday crowns, handmade birthday crowns, Waldorf birthday crowns.

So, I thought I'd share a bit of our Birthday Crown history. Elisabeth had a plastic tiara-style birthday crown which we used to set out on the dining table for her to wear on her birthday for a couple of years. But as we've gradually decided to eliminate plastics from our home to the degree that we're able, the plastic birthday crown was donated, and I decided to make some of my own.

There are many people making and/or selling their own versions of felt birthday crowns; I imitated an illustration of a child wearing a crown on the cover of The Birthday Book for my design. I used plant-dyed 100% wool felt for the front, and plant-dyed wool-rayon blend felt for the lining (because the plant-dyed 100% wool pieces are not large enough for the entire lining). Using plant-dyed felt seemed very important to me for this project. Not only is it just lovely, special, earthy, and so appropriate for the spiritual significance of a birthday (a reminder of our connection to the earth, which is especially tangible in the moment of birth), but it is also thicker and stands up a bit better than a standard felt (even 100% wool) would. Edited to add: My favorite source for all of my felt is A Child's Dream Come True. I have occasionally purchased wool felt elsewhere, or plant-dyed at my local Waldorf school. But for consistency, I do prefer A Child's Dream Come True.

The ribbon I used came from different sources. The ribbon on James's is just from JoAnn. I really struggled with ribbon for his, because I wanted it to be special and "regal", and not overly feminine or juvenile, since I'm hoping my children will wear their crowns for many years of birthdays. It was much easier to choose ribbon for Elisabeth's, obviously. The ribbon I ended up using on hers is vintage, which I did purchase online, although I have a local source for vintage ribbon where I tend to get the majority of mine.

And our Birthday Crown tradition? Well, we always set the Crown and the birthday ring (similar to this) at the birthday child's place at the table during the night before his or her birthday. We light the candles on the ring that morning at breakfast, and the Crown is available to be worn all day if desired. It is then packed away with the birthday ring for the next year; it's not a plaything in our home, although we do have other (similarly-made) crowns, which are for play.

Comments

[Sarah]

This post has reminded me that Jack's birthday crown is still on the shelf in the living room, where I left it last year when I forgot to give it to him for his birthday! I think I have become used to it as part of the decor in here.

[Andrea]

Those crowns are really cute...

I just dropped over your blog and i have to say, I really enjoy it... you have adorable children... and I like the stuff you make...

Greetings from Germany

Andrea

[Danielle]

I adore your crowns. I have been admiring SouleMama's for awhile. I did a search today on flickr for birthday crowns and found your beauties. I will definitely be using yours as a guide to making my little one's their own.

I have added "The Birthday Book" to my wishlist... it's just the thing I've been looking for, thanks for sharing.

I haven't had a chance to look through your whole blog yet, but I will as soon as the kiddos are asleep.

I look forward to reading your blog.
-Danielle

[Kelly]

I loooooooove these crowns! I have always, made crowns of fresh flowers, for my daughter and my son and I made a crown, construction paper and other materials, for his birthday celebrations. I have a great desire to make them each one of these, beautiful crowns...I think, even at 11, my son would still appreciate, a royal crown!? Thank you for sharing, Grace! Inspiration, I love it!

[Amber]

I wish we would have started a birthday tradition like this one! What a great idea...

Where do you get your plant-dyed felt? I have a collection of felt from Magic Cabin but it is not plant-dyed. I love the muted colors of the felt in the photos. And the crowns are so BEAUTIFUL, too!! ;-)

[Sarah]

Crowns are an important part of birthday celebrations for us as well as a special rainbow cape. We make crowns each year out of gold paper. Unfortunately, my oldest daughter (11) is outgrowing crowns--now we turn her chair into a throne with tissue-paper flowers like those we use on crowns. Here's a photo of my daughter last year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rookervt/149710150/

I enjoy your blog very much.

Sarah

[Mae]

Great of you to share your ideas with those out in google land!I think the crown idea is a classic right next to the Christmas stocking. My kids are too old now but I'll keep it mind for others ...

[Mae]

Great of you to share your ideas with those out in google land!I think the crown idea is a classic right next to the Christmas stocking. My kids are too old now but I'll keep it mind for others ...

[julia]

These are beautiful! I wish I had a birthday crown when I was growing up. I've only recently been introduced to this tradition via the amazing soulemama blog. (which is how i just today found your amazing blog!) and I love it. I will definitely hold onto this idea for the future.

(although my boyfriend might faint if i come clean about my recent habit of collecting ideas for my future children...)

love your blog! will definitely add it to my list of regulars. thanks for sharing!

[Ingrid]

Hi Grace.. I love all these "traditions" you have created for your little ones. These are the things we don't forget as adults. I loved the crowns you made..they are both beautiful and unique and will be sure to be a highlight every birthday.

[Lindsay]

I came across your site looking for a pattern for a birthday crown for my son. You have some really great ideas :) It looks like you are giving your children a truly magical childhood :)
Haha, you've inspired me to get the sewing machine out of my closet, that I've never attempted to use, and make something similar for my little boy;s first birthday :) I want to make something like the smock you made for your daughter, earthy, and personal... Hopefully I'll come up with an idea by the 24th!

Lindsay

[Lindsay]

Haha, would you be willing to share your pattern and instructions for making those adorable crowns?