I was looking for a nice touch to my New Year's Eve outfit and came up with the idea of having a tiny rotating disco ball coming out of my top hat. It was real easy to make, just a simple cut and paste job, but it produced a pretty fun hat that got a lot of attention.

Thanks for reading my first instructable. I hope you enjoy it :)

Step 1: Items You Will Need

Hard Felt Black Top Hat
Battery Operated Mini Mirror Disco Ball
E-Lite Badge (I used Music Notes, but there are dozens of different types)
Tulip Fabric Glitter Spray - Silver

Razor Blade
Scissors (optional)
Glue Gun & Glue (other adhesives will work too)

Step 2: Cut Hole in Top of Hat for Disco Ball

First detach the disco ball from the "motor part" that spins the ball (it should pop right off).

You'll see the "motor part" is circular, and will have a slightly indented smaller circular portion at the top. You will want to cut a hole in the top of the hat just slightly smaller than this "top circle."

If you cut the hole the right size you'll be able to pop the "top circle" through the top of the hat and it will fit snug enough to hold the entire "motor part" up.

Step 3: Glue Disco Ball Motor to Hat

Flip the hat upside down, leaving space under it to push the "motor part" through. Add adhesive all around the "top circle" of the "motor part," I used hot glue because I had it around, I'm sure other adhesives would work just fine. Secure the "motor part" to the whole in the hat, and let adhesive dry.

Step 4: Cut Hole for EL Badge

If you look at the EL Badge, it will also a made up of two circles. The front circle, and a back circle. You will want to cut a whole in the front of the hat just slightly smaller than the back circle of the EL Badge. Again if you cut the hole just right the EL Badge will be can be pushed through the whole and held into place without any adhesive.

Once you have the hole cut. Add adhesive around the side of the back circle of the EL Badge and insert it into the hole. Allow adhesive to dry.

Note: Though it may look more aesthetically pleasing to center the badge vertically with the hat, I would recommend putting the badge higher towards the top of the hat. If you have a big head like me, you won't be able to pull the hat down over your head further than where the EL Badge is poking through.

Step 5: Add Glitter

Now finish off the hat by spraying glitter evenly all over the hat. If you get glitter somewhere you don't want it (like on the badge) it can be easily wiped off with a paper towel. It'll look a little foamy/frosty at first, but give it time to dry and I think you'll like the effect.

If you are more patient than I, you may want to do this step first. Just know that it take a few hours for the glitter to completely dry, and you won't be able to handle the hat until it dries.

Step 6: Final Thoughts

So now you have all the steps you need to create the disco ball hat. Pretty easy huh?

I had toyed with some ideas of things to add to the hat. Such as attaching lasers or LEDs to shine on the ball. Or lining part of the hat with EL Wire. In the end I decided to keep it simple, but I encourage anyone who might try this instructable to come up with a cool way to add/modify it. I'm sure some of you will :)

For more info on the hat and the costume I wore it with you can check out my recently started blog

http://www.docstoyland.com

Thanks so much for reading my first instructable. If anyone does build one of these please send me a message or even better some pictures.