How to make a Mini Top Hat!

[tattoogoddess]

LOVE this video. Totally going to make a few!

[Ratty]

WOW! I loved it. These things are so expensive, (for nice one). I'm inspired to try it.

[tattoogoddess]

I know! I love them and the cost a ton. I want to try this to!! I have all the stuff so I think this and my tutu will be tomm or wend project!

[tahiti_treat]

Nice tutorial! I've made a few of these but just used a circle of cardboard for the brim. I like the idea of using wire better as it creates a curvier shape.

If I were to make one for the playa I'd make non-moopy "feathers" out of felt or suede. Or maybe other shapes - hearts or stars would be cute!

[Drawingablank]

That is pretty cool. Not my style, but cool none the less. I was considering a large mad hatter type top hat and may adapt some of those techniques.

[BetaBox]

My cat...

LOLI.png

[theCryptofishist]

Your cat is not going to forgive you for weeks...

[Eric]

I'm already sketching out plans to see if I can make these in copper- I think if I use paper to make the pattern & forge it on my bracelet mandrel that I should be able to make it work. The catch is figuring out how thick to make the copper- it needs to be thick enough so it doesn't just crumple (no copper foil), but not so thick that it's a pain to forge without distortion.

This could be fun.

[AntiM]

I have some thin copper which is used for dollhouse roofing. Thicker than foil, but easy to work with. I cut it with heavy shears. Might that type of copper work?

[graidawg]

I'm already sketching out plans to see if I can make these in copper- I think if I use paper to make the pattern & forge it on my bracelet mandrel that I should be able to make it work. The catch is figuring out how thick to make the copper- it needs to be thick enough so it doesn't just crumple (no copper foil), but not so thick that it's a pain to forge without distortion.

This could be fun.

that would be an awesome thing eric


oh oh i just thought of maing an armor plated hat......oh like a helmet never mind sometimes my brain thinks in stupid just so it can mock itself

[tattoogoddess]

Eric I have seen your Jewelry making I Love your spoon necklaces! If the burn was not sucking the life out of my wallet at the moment I would buy one in a heart beat It will be interesting to see how the hat turns out as well as a patina on it after a while.

[ViralDelfi]

Thank you sooooooo much for posting this
I've been wanting to make one for a long time and never thought of using wire for the brim instead of cardboard, smart!

[Eric]

I have some thin copper which is used for dollhouse roofing. Thicker than foil, but easy to work with. I cut it with heavy shears. Might that type of copper work?

That's a bit to thin unless I want to build an armature (I think they call it "embossing foil" or somesuch..)- I've used it for other projects but I'm pretty sure it would crumple to easily for this. Hmmm. If I pre-crumple it I could get a cool texture though...

I'm using actual copper sheet, then I'm going to pierce it with a design of some sort (that will also let heat escape- clever planning that!)

It'll take a couple weeks because I want the "_\_/_" angle on the top part, and that's going to take some practice.

[AntiM]

I'm tingling with anticipation!

And yes, that slant is going to be a bitch.

[Drawingablank]

Tried one of these today and it came out pretty good. Not exactly my style, but I wanted to try out my new rotary circle cutter. I still need to pick up some trim to decorate it with.

I've also been working on one in leather but that is taking much longer since it requires an accurate pattern. Its about 2/3 done and just needs the brim sewn on now.

I also want to make a full size mad hatter hat to match one of my coats, but I'm having trouble figuring out a way to make it transportable in my suitcase. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[danibel]

Probably have to use a hat box to transport a hat in a suitcase. Otherwise it will end up squished.


I saw some mini Top Hats in a store downtown SC. I just had to look at the price after reading this thread - $29! And they weren't even that great. I looked closely at the seems and fabric and they looked cheaply made and with low cost material. If I wanted one - I would definitely "make my own."

[theCryptofishist]

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Picking the Kernel's brain? although he doesn't do that with his...

[tattoogoddess]

When I was in NYC 2 christmas's ago I was at this little goth like shop they had a ton of these top hats and some bigger. The little ones where.... wait for it....


$115!!!!


Yeah fucking stupid!!! I plan on making one of these for the burn just have to figure out outfits then make one accordingly. Hey anyone who has made one of these or is in the prosses of it , care to post photos?

[KrisMuffin]

I got one for $3.50 with shipping on eBay, and will just paint it at home to save money. Though making my own would be far more fun.

[danibel]

$115

We are clearly in the wrong business!

[Drawingablank]

When I was in NYC 2 christmas's ago I was at this little goth like shop they had a ton of these top hats and some bigger. The little ones where.... wait for it....


$115!!!!


Yeah fucking stupid!!! I plan on making one of these for the burn just have to figure out outfits then make one accordingly. Hey anyone who has made one of these or is in the prosses of it , care to post photos?

The sick part is that at 115.00 they were likely making less profit on it than someone selling them on etsy for a fraction of that. Commercial rents in NYC are beyond insane and to add insult to injury - the city taxes commercial rents at 5%. That's why everything in Manhattan costs through the nose.

I will post pics of the hat when I finish it - just need to add some trim to hide the seams at this point.

[Drawingablank]

First hat is done. It came out ok, but more importantly I've learned where I need to make some design improvements. I like tihe look of the French gimp better than bias tape, but will have to modify the design a bit to cover the seams better.

Managed to get a guest to model it too.


Materials:
Red tie dye flannel.
Red / Black gimp trim.
Strap is solid black gimp.
12" floral wire.
Poster board.
Mat board (the top disc).
All from my scrap box.

The leather hat is about half done, but needs some design changes.

[KrisMuffin]

First hat is done. It came out ok, but more importantly I've learned where I need to make some design improvements. I like tihe look of the French gimp better than bias tape, but will have to modify the design a bit to cover the seams better.

Managed to get a guest to model it too.


Materials:
Red tie dye flannel.
Red / Black gimp trim.
Strap is solid black gimp.
12" floral wire.
Poster board.
Mat board (the top disc).
All from my scrap box.

The leather hat is about half done, but needs some design changes.

That looks great! I wish I had some of those materials lying around! Bravo!

[Drawingablank]

That looks great! I wish I had some of those materials lying around! Bravo!

Well the whole thing takes hardly any materials really so if you scavenge the cardboard it runs about 3 or 4 dollars or maybe even less. A quarter yard of fabric should be enough for several of these, and it used about a yard of trim so even buying them new should only run about 3.50 or so. It did take a lot of time though.

Could even scavenge the fabric from an old shirt or something and trim it with some ribbon to get the cost below a dollar.

[tattoogoddess]

This is my top hat i made. Its not the best cause I used all hot glue and burnt my finger half way through.

[Drawingablank]

Nice.

I've been working on another one all week. Its taking a lot of time but I wanted to make it without using hot glue and each area has to be clamped until the glue dries before tackling the next section. Its coming out much neater than the first one though. Should have pics in another day or two.

[solemnraven]

FINALLY!!! What a great tutorial for this. Thanks for sharing.

[9ah]

Def on my to do list!!

[KrisMuffin]

THANKS to Drawingablank, i've had my first gifting expierence and it months before the burn! You've only further reiterated why Ive been dying to go for so long, and why im sure this well be a life changing experience. Cant wait! Ps- Sorry it has taken so long to post this!

[Drawingablank]

I'm glad you like it and if I'm lucky with a ticket will hopefully get to see it on you in BRC.

As for the gifting - it is not something that has to be limited to burn week and in some ways is more fun to do away from the burn. Of course here in the default world it has to be balanced with other budgeted needs, but it still feels good to gift stuff when possible regardless of where or when.