Cut a strip of black construction paper 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. This will be the base of the hat.
Cut 50 or 60 1-by-6-inch strips of black -- or any color -- construction paper. This will be the hair on the hat.
Arrange the strips on the hat base in rows – approximately four strips per row, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart.
Pick up the first strip from its place on the hat. Apply a thin strip of glue to the lower 1/4 inch of the strip and place the glued part of the strip firmly back in place on the hat. Repeat with all of the strips. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the glue to dry.
Punch a hole 5 inches from the front of the hat and about 1/2 inch in from the edge. Repeat on the other side of the hat, so that the holes are directly across from each other.
Thread the elastic string through one hole and tie a double-knot to hold it in place. Repeat with the other end of the elastic and the hole on the other side of the hat.
Decorate the hat with colored feathers, all of one color or alternate colors. Use craft store feathers or natural feathers.