How To Make A Crazy Hat!

About

You Will Need (9 things)

Steps (19 steps, 480 minutes)

1. 1

   So I started off by designing something; which is always essential when making anything from scratch, because even if you know you won't stick with that Idea and it will look completely different at the end; at least you have a guide along with an idea of what the turn-out will be :D

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   Using a polystyrene model head; I had put a paper maché head piece molded; then to raise the height a littler; I used clay bonderweb; using my hands and water to sculpture the height.

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   I then decided; for the detailing on the side (featured in my design) in order to make it as light as possible; using a lightweight webbed metal, I sculptured only one of the shapes; deciding to stick with only one of the snake like ornaments.

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   Then using the bonderweb again; I molded it onto the the hat part.

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   Whilst I was waiting for the clay to dry; I decided I needed to make the circle part for atop the head; I had done a sample for this before, and I knew what would work; so I dyed some cream fabric a lemon color; then waited for it to dry (previously)

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   I then cut out the shape I wanted it to be; and putting some wadding behind, free machine embroidered a pattern I had wanted...

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   ...I had also done the back and furthermore using fabric paint in metallic golds and yellow; painting it.

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   I then strapped together loads of thing wires using masking tape and glue and slipping it insider to prevent it from being floppy; to give i some added strength and also covering it entirely in fabric stiffener.
   This would take 24 hours to dry out.

9. 9

   Whilst I was waiting for the remainder of my hat to dry out; i decided to make any additional things to go with it; so I found some bristly fringing to across the base of the hat; dying it a red (mainly because this was the only colored dye available at the time.

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    Putting it along the hem of the hat; it didn't look to good in my eyes; so i decided instead of making a complicated metal umbrella part for the other side of the hat; but putting it behind the circle part as added height.

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    I then started to add feathers and netting onto the metal curve.

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    I then waited until the next day; to start to paint the clay red; using acrylic, I had to go over in a few layers. I had also weaved some fabric around and painting the fabric stiffener glue atop.

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    Another angle.

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    Then, when this was all dry; I hammered and super glued this into the back, slotting nicely in.

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    I then gathered up some sequins on a string (you can buy at your local haberdashery) having around 5 meters.

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    I wound it around the snake part; using the glue gun to attach it on.

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    Then it was more or less finished; for neatening the inside you can use the glue gun to insert a fabric piece; also in order to keep this on, some kind of ribbon of tie should be supported.

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    side..

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    back :D

    Hope you enjoyed that!