Mini tophat fascinator

I was asked to officiate/MC at a circus themed wedding, so I thought it would be fun to wear a tophat, kind of like the ringmaster. After trying on a few tophats in a store, I decided I was better off with a tophat fascinator. I have a funny face and large head, which results in me looking like a freak of nature in hats most of the time, trust me. Anyway, etsy searches turned up these ones, that I fell in love with.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63523968/red-rum-a-symmetrical-mini-top-hat?ref=v1_other_1

Love it!  But not so much the price though, $96 ? Ouch. So of course I decided to make my own, and thought I would share the pattern.

NOTE: this pattern/tut is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Please do not sell tophats you make from this pattern. I took my idea from someone who is selling it, we should at least show her some respect by not competing with her.

If you make one of these, please please send me a picture! I would love to see what people come up with.

More tutorials and other crap I make & do at hungrypanda.net

Step 1 Stuff you need

* Pattern
* Thin cardboard. I used a cereal box, but a tissue or shoe box would work equally well.
* Fabric to cover your hat. I like damask, but you can use any thick wovens, upholstery fabric would work well here. If the fabric is too thin, your glue will show through.
* Hot glue/glue gun
* Glue for gluing your fabric to the cardboard. I used modge podge because I was too lazy to dig in the garage for my fabric glue, but that would work well also.
* Trim
* Elastic, preferably in a color that blends with your hair. I used 1/4 inch, although I think next time I might go thinner since my ears hurt after wearing it for a while.
* Feathers/other decorations.

Comments

[syara20]

I suppose you could (instead of using elastic) just use two hairclips. I think that would probably work, maybe not though.

[RollerScrapper]

Thanks for the great template and instructions! I made 3 for a tea party next week.

[janemermaid]

I wish I'd seen this one before my cousins wedding in July. Never mind, next wedding, it's so cool.

[KwartzKitten]

This is a great design, but I gotta know how you hot-glued everything without burning your fingers. I've worked with hot-glue a lot and always burned my fingers at least once on projects.

[caityjay]

Try to find a low-temp hot glue gun. I'm really sensitive to heat and my fingers burn easily, but I've never burned myself with the glue from a low-temp gun (touching the metal nub on the end will still burn--yes, I know this from experience--but the glue isn't as hot). Most projects, such as this one, don't require a high-temp gun, but the glue will set faster so you need to work more quickly. Other than that, I've occasionally resorted to keeping a cup of ice on my work table to soothe my fingers on >.<

[KwartzKitten]

Oh, okay, that's a good idea. Thanks.

[caityjay]

This tutorial is awesome. Might have to try my hand at making some for my dolls!

[schnitzle]

Fantastic! This is very timely for me since I will be needing a costume item for a party soon :D

[Pe-ads]

That baby hates the fact that his mother has a top hat fascinator, but not him. Parents! Darn them!

[davidprosser]

LOL i kept reading the title and saying it like "toe-fat" thinking what the hell is a tophat?! and then i saw the picutres, haha, not thinking today

[grow_power]

This made me laugh so hard!!

[cameronhirsch]

Your hat looks excellent! I love the feathers.

[nmcakemom]

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for this easy to follow tutorial. Definitely bookmarking this one.

[Fionnbharr]

Rarely have I seen as ridiculous a tiny hat as this, before.

I can't believe someone was charging $96 for *just* the clown hat.

Clowns, and their jester predecessors (and of course the Arlecchino archetypes before them) traditionally took cast-off and otherwise free clothing (and hats!), so this is truly in-line with tradition.

It's the funniest thing, ever! You'll no doubt be a hit at the kids' party. Or wedding.

Or whatever.

[CrLz]

Beautiful!

[canida]

I was eyeing hats just like this in a shop in New Orleans. Figured I could make my own, but have since been too lazy. You've inspired me!

[scoochmaroo]

Awesome!

[rachel]

super cute! I love the robot trim :)

[Screamo]

Wow :o. Interesting.