Top Hat Tutorial

I made this top hat using my Gypsy to design it and the Plantin' Schoolbook cartridge.  The inner circle measures 3 1/2" and the outer circle measures 6".  It should have the appearance of a doughnut.  Cut the circles twice.

To make the sides, cut a strip of designer paper measuring 4"x12".  Score at 1/2" and 3 1/2".  Cut out tabs at approximately 1/2 inch increments.  Fold the bottom tabs outward and the upper tabs inward.

Glue the bottom tabs to the larger circle (the "doughnut"), and cover the tabs with the other large circle.  This is to ensure that the brim will be sturdy.  Glue the small circle to the top.  Trim the other small circle and glue it inside the hat.  I used a paper clip to hold the side in place while the glue is drying, and also to ensure that the side of the hat fits nicely to the brim.

I used paper from DCWV for this hat.  I added pink and cream tulle, a Prima flower, a stickpin from Denise :-) and I punched a butterfly using a punch from Martha Stewart.  I added brown pearls at the center of the butterfly using Viva Decor pearl pen. 

On the other side of the hat, I added a tortoiseshell button tied with baker's twine.

Graphic 45 Top Hat

Our challenge theme at My Sheri Crafts is "Back and Forth", a term that we use for accordion-style pleats, rosettes and even pleated paper strips.  I decided to make a top hat embellished with a flower collar.   I used paper from Graphic 45's Once Upon a Springtime paper pack.

To make the flower collar, cut approximately 9 inches of lace, then make pleats measuring 1/2".   Secure the inner side of the collar by stitching it close.  Glue on a flower on top of the collar.

The hat which measures 4" high and is 6" in diameter was embellished with hand dyed lace and vintage ephemera from my stash.  The stickpin was from Tammy.  The rose is from recollection and the feathers are from Michael's.  I used lace from Prima for the flower collar.    I will have a tutorial for the top hat, so do check out my next post! :-)