How to Make a Symmetrical Mini Top Hat
Whether you're a total goth, a steampunker or just plain boho, a miniature top hat must be part of your wardrobe. These tiny accessories, often called fascinators, give any modern or vintage formalwear a touch of personal style. You can wear them straight up and down on top of your head, cocked to the side, or near the hairline so the brim partially covers your brow. Plus, if you make them at home, you can choose any colors or patterns that suit your style. The lines should be symmetrical, as an asymmetrical top hat doesn't flatter anyone.
Things You'll Need
- Mathematical compass, chalk
- Thin cardboard
- Scissors
- Thick felt
- Crushed velvet
- Quilting fabric
- Fabric adhesive
- Paintbrush
- Hot glue
- Barrette clips
Instructions
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1
Adjust your mathematical compass to a 2 1/4-inch radius for a 4 1/2-inch diameter hat brim. If your head is larger, or you want more coverage, you can make the brim larger. A smaller brim, however, looks funny on everyone but small children.
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2
Draw a chalk circle on thin cardboard with your compass. Cut out the circle. This is the brim for your top hat.
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3
Adjust your compass to a 1 1/2-inch radius, draw a 3-inch diameter circle on thick felt and cut it out, as well. This is the top of your top hat.
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4
Measure around the edge of your 3-inch circle with a flexible measuring tape; it should measure about 9 1/2 inches around. Cut a cardboard rectangle 9 1/2 inches long, and about 3 inches wide. This is the body of your top hat.
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5
Cut one 9-inch diameter velvet circle and one 4-inch diameter velvet circle. These velvet pieces will cover the top and bottom of your top hat.
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6
Paint one side of your 4 1/2-inch cardboard circle with fabric adhesive. Press the velvet in place over the circle, centering the cardboard on the velvet. Flip the assembly over.
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7
Paint the underside of the cardboard circle with glue and snip 4-inch long, 1-inch wide fringes into the excess velvet around the cardboard. Fold the velvet over the cardboard and press it into the glue. Let the glue dry overnight.
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8
Cover the felt top of your top hat with velvet as you did the brim.
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9
Cut a rectangle of quilting fabric, 1 inch larger on all sides than your cardboard rectangle. Glue the quilting fabric to the cardboard, folding the excess fabric over the edges of the cardboard. Let it dry overnight.
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10
Run a bead of hot glue along one edge of your cardboard rectangle. Fold the cardboard into a tube and press the edges together. Let the glue dry for 10 minutes.
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Run a bead of hot glue around the edge of your felt circle. Slip it down into the top opening of the tube, so the top edge of the felt lines up with the top edge of the tube. Let the glue dry 10 minutes.
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12
Run a bead of hot glue along the bottom edge of the tube; press it down onto the brim of the top hat. Let the glue dry 10 minutes; it should dry clear and unnoticeable.
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13
Hot glue two hair clips to the underside of the top hat. This holds them in your hair, making the hat seem to float.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can see the hot glue around the bottom edge of the top hat's body, wrap a ribbon around it. You may also add lace, tiny gears, cameo charms and feathers to your hat.
References
- Photo Credit Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
