How to Make Maleficent Horns (With Free Template)

Author:
Marie
Updated:
Sep 17, 2022

DIY Maleficent Horns

There are lots of ways to make your own handmade headpieces and horns for Disney's best-loved villain, Maleficent. However, when I looked for a fast way to make up some really simple and easy designs using inexpensive and readily available cardstock or even craft foam—well, I didn't find any. And my daughter was desperate to get into character already, so I made a free, printable template that is readily available for anyone to use for their Halloween costume or for dressing up.

The pattern on this page can be used in slightly different ways, so I have not one but two quick craft tutorials to create a very simple elastic 'mask' as well as an even cuter headband version. Both of these can be used for kids and adults. It is sized to work for either, although you can of course enlarge or reduce the template as you see fit. And be simply Magnificent!

All personal Images belong to the author of this article, Marie Williams Johnstone.

What You Should Know Before You Start

Before you gather what you'll need for this project, decide whether you want to make the mask using the paper cutout or if you want to make the version using the headband.

I show you two different and easy ways to use my free template pattern: you can either opt to make a simple elasticated mask worn around the top of an adult's or child's forehead or, alternatively, you can make a horned headband worn in the hair. Either way works great.

For the horned part, you can use a stiff black cardstock (stick a couple of thinner pieces back to back to strengthen!) or you can opt to use a thick piece of craft foam, felt fabric stuck onto a thick card backing, or even black vinyl sheeting.

As long as the material is thick enough to stand up and not flop down like paper or fabric, you can use it. Black cardstock is a good option for this particular craft; if it doesn't feel thick enough, just stick two pieces together.

1. Easy Maleficent Headpiece Mask Using a Paper Cutout

Want the fastest and easiest way to make a very quick set of horns based on the ones worn by Angelina Jolie in the Maleficent movie? Using my template on this page, you can cut out and quickly assemble a 'mask' that fastens around the head with elastic.

Time required: 10-15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

Elasticated band (1/4 inch wide)
Cardstock to print the pattern on
Thick cardstock in black (or color of choice)

Tools:

Scissors
Pencil
Hole punch

Materials and supplies you will need to make a very easy Maleficent headband mask with a free template, card, and elastic
Image by the author

Instructions:

1. First, save a copy of the pattern on this page to your own computer and print out a copy onto cardstock to make a template—or print onto paper and use adhesive to stick it to the back of any spare card you have going like a cereal packet.

If you don't have a printer, you can always look at the design to draw up your own. You should aim to fill the width of a standard sheet of cardstock. I'm making this one in purple (why not!) but the best color is going to be black since that matches the main look of the evil fairy queen.

Cutting out the Maleficent paper horns mask
Image by the author

2. Cut the template out carefully around the black lines. I like to keep all my templates to re-use again, so they get stored in binders.

Maleficent horns template
Image by the author

3. Trace around the template onto your choice of cardstock. If the card is flimsy, you can always stick two pieces together to make it stiffer and more suited to making a mask. Alternatively, you can use thick craft foam or stick some felt onto a cardstock backing. It needs to be fairly firm so it stands up well.

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Adding elastic thread to the mask design through punched holes
Image by the author

4. Cut out the design and then punch a hole on either side near the bottom of the pattern piece. I used a 1/4" hole punch to fit my 1/4 inch elastic through easily. Black elastic will look better if you're using that color of cardstock, but I only had white on hand.

Threading elastic through the paper horned mask design
Image by the author

5. Cut off a piece of elastic that will go around the head of the person wearing this homemade accessory, leaving enough spare elastic to tie off too. This photo shows the back of the mask. Thread the elastic through the holes so the bulk of it sits at the reverse of the mask where it won't be seen.

Purple makes a good alternative color for the Disney villain Maleficent mask. Since it's easy to print out and make, you can try a range of colors!
Image by the author

6. Tie around the head of the wearer; a double knot works well for this. Cut any spare elastic off. Now enjoy wearing it! See a photo below of my daughter demonstrating this and also view my second tutorial on making a cute headband version.

2: Quick Maleficent Horned Headband

If you don't mind investing just a little bit more time (not a lot) then consider making this cute headband version which is my daughter's favorite to wear. I happened to have a sheet of shiny black plastic which looks really good as it shines in the light. But you can use a thick cardstock or a thick craft foam.

You also need a plain black headband; we found some in our version of the dollar store. You can always use spray paint on a plain plastic headband or cover it with black ribbon.

Time required: 15-30 minutes

Difficulty: easy

Materials

1 black hard headband hair accessory
A piece of thick black cardstock
Some cardstock to print the template on

Tools

Pencil
Scissors
A hole punch
Some thin black cord or twine

Instructions

1. Save the pattern on this page and print it out onto some plain cardstock. Cut it out ready to use. Unlike the first project, you don't need to use the whole template for this headband design.

You want to trace around the portion I have shown lined up over my black cardstock. Later on, I made a plastic version and used a biro to trace the pattern.

Tracing around the template design onto black card with a pencil
Image by the author

2. Once you've traced this section, position your headband at the bottom and use it as a guide for where to trace and cut so that the horns will fit on your particular headband perfectly.

You can see with the photo what the finished cut-out piece looks like and how the curve at the bottom fits the headband you traced around.

Pieces to make a horn headband with black card and hair band
Image by the author

3. Cut out the horns design carefully.

Punching holes into the headband costume accessory design
Image by the author

4. You need to punch three holes across the bottom—one in the middle and one on either side. These holes are used to attach the design to your band.

Adding black cord to tie the DIY headband design together
Image by the author

5. Make sure you have the back of the pattern piece facing you; any drawn lines should be at the back so as not to spoil the finished piece.

Starting with the middle hole, tie a small piece of cord or twine through the hole and around the middle of the headband. Pull firmly but not too tightly or you risk ripping the card. I tie in a double knot to secure and cut away the ends.

The alternative option is to use a hot glue gun to stick the horns to the headband. Use a black glue stick for a more professional look.

6. Repeat with the other two holes to use the cord to tie the design onto the band.

The dark fairy herself would be proud!
Image by the author

7. Ta da! Here are two finished headpiece accessories that Maleficent would be proud of! I hope you've enjoyed reading my lens or article today, thanks for your visit. Don't forget to grab the template below and bookmark this page so you can see how to make these designs up.