If you are looking for a quick costume accessory, top hats can be a bit expensive.You don't need any experience to make a top hat at home.All you need are some cardboard and felt, hot glue and scissors, and a hat.You can show off your top hat to your friends and family in less than an hour.
Step 1: Draw out a circle from a piece of cardboard.
There is a piece of cardboard on your workspace.The pencil should be about 7 2 in (19 cm) away from the center spoke if you adjust a compass.A flattened cardboard box or a leftover cereal box will work well for this.You can draw the circle freehand if you are confident in your sketching and tracing skills.You can trace a round object like a flower pot.The size of your hat depends on who you are making it for.A 13 or 14 in wide hat is better for a child.
Step 2: Inside the larger circle, trace an 8 in (20 cm) inside.
The pencil is 10 cm away from the spoke if you read your compass.Go to the center of the previously traced circle and arrange your compass there.Depending on your head's circumference, you can change this measurement.If you make a hat for a child, a 7 in opening might be better.
Step 3: Cut out the circles from the cardboard.
Cut the central circle with a pair of scissors or a box cutter.Cut out the larger circle by setting the small piece of cardboard aside.Try to keep the edges smooth so your top hat looks professional.The smaller circle will be the top of your top hat.
Step 4: Measure and trace two sheets of cardboard.
Think about how tall you want your top hat to be.Measure around the smaller circle using a soft measuring tape and divide it in half so you know how wide each rectangle needs to be.To sketch out the dimensions of your hat, use a piece of flexible cardboard.If you want to bend them as you make the hat, you need to trace them on flexible cardboard.You can cut out 2 rectangles that are 12 by 6 in.If you want to save time, you can bend and curve the large rectangular shape into a cylindrical shape later on.A child may look better in a 3 to 4 in top hat than a 5 to 6 in tall hat.
Step 5: To build the barrel of your hat, you need to cut out the cardboard.
The center barrel of your top hat can be cut out using a box cutter or pair of scissors.If you want to create the barrel of your hat, you need to cut the rectangles a bit wider around the edges of the template.Make sure that the two rectangles are the same size by setting them next to each other.
Step 6: There are felt shapes that match the dimensions of the hat.
Place the templates on the felt.Use a white colored pencil to outline the felt shapes.Instead of tracing 2 sections of felt for the barrel of your hat, trace around the cardboard pieces to create a large felt rectangle.To make your finished hat look more sleek and cohesive, you only need one felt rectangle for the barrel of your top hat.You can trace the outer and inner rim of your piece of cardboard to save time.This will allow you to make 2 circular felt shapes.To cover the top and bottom of the brim, you may want to cut out two pieces of felt.
Step 7: Take out the individual felt pieces.
Take a pair of scissors and cut out the felt pieces.You can keep track of felt pieces by setting them aside.To make it easier to adjust, try to make these pieces a few millimeters larger than the original cardboard sections of the hat.
Step 8: To make a cylinder, tape the 2 cardboard rectangles together.
If you want the edges of the two rectangles to overlap, hold and bend them next to each other.If you want the cardboard to hold a cylindrical shape, apply strips of tape along the sides.To make sure it fits in the brim, measure the cylinder's circumference.A friend or family member may be able to hold the cardboard in place while you tape it together.Clear tape is less obvious than any kind of durable tape.The barrel of the hat fits into the brim if the edges overlap by a few millimeters.
Step 9: Attach the cylinder to the larger circle with tape.
The cardboard cylinder should be placed over the open brim circle of the hat.Put the cylinder into the opening.Attach a few pieces of tape along the edges of the cardboard to hold it together.The cardboard will look like a top hat at this point.
Step 10: There is a small circle on top of your hat.
The small cardboard circle should fit on top of the cylinder.Place a few strips of clear, durable tape along the edges of the small circle to hold it in place.The base of your top hat is now in place after this piece was put in.
Step 11: Attach the felt to your hat.
There is a piece of felt on top of the hat with a donut-shaped piece around it.Work with 1 piece at a time, applying the glue in small sections to the bottom of the felt.The felt should be put over the brim, barrel, and top of the hat.To make the hat look more cohesive, glue the felt over the edge of the brim, and cover the cardboard edge completely.If you want your finished hat to look good, try to use a small amount of glue.Glue the section of felt you cut out to cover the bottom of the hat at this time.
Step 12: Extra decorations should be Glued to the hat.
Glue some feathers or add a long stretch of ribbon around the base of your hat to make it look like a band.You can decorate your hat until you are happy with it.You can glue a red ribbon band around the base of your hat to make it look better.If you want a more exotic touch, glue several feathers in one spot along the front or side of your hat.