Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The making of THE HAT

Wow! It has really been a while since I have been on here.  I started a part time job that ended up taking way more time then I thought a "part-time" job would take.  But anyway, I have been able to do a little bit of decorating, thrift store shopping and painting.  So hopefully over the next couple of days I can show you what I have been doing.  But first I want to show you a hat.
Not just any hat.  

A hat inspired by this guy.

I saw Alice in Wonderland in 3D when it first came out and thought it was 
AMAZING!!!!

I know there are many, MANY people who didn't enjoy this show.  However I am NOT one of them.
I LOVED IT!!!

The other thing I LOVE???
Dressing up for HALLOWEEN  

I know, I am probably a freak, but seriously, I have so much fun doing it.
So when I saw this movie I knew exactly who I would be dressing up for this year. 

The Hatter, of course.

So the search was on.  My budget is ALWAYS very small.  So of course I knew this would involve several trips to thrift stores to make it possible to pull off this costume.

Also I am VERY ANAL   a little picky about what my costume is going to look like.  I say if you are going to do it, DO IT RIGHT.
know what I'm sayin??



I almost have the entire costume finished but this post is all about 
The Hat!!!

I debated on how, exactly, I  was going to make the form for this hat.  It has such a unique shape and with this costume the hat is everything.  
It had to be  
JUST RIGHT!
I told you, anal, right?

One night my mom and her husband came over and I started explaining this costume I wanted to make, but was unsure how to get the hat just right.  To which my mom's husband started measuring my head and doing a bunch of math problems.  
Then says "I can figure this out for you.  I will make the hat." 

Me: "Um, you really don't have to. It's not that big of deal. It's just a costume." 
(What am I saying, "Just a costume"  HHuuu whatever.)

Him: "No really I will do it for you."
Me: "Sweet, Thanks!"

A couple of weeks later I get 'THE CALL'.  

"Hey Jo, We've got your hat ready.  Come pick it up."
  
Me: "Woo Hoo!!!"

When I got the hat, this is what I had to work with.

 I was so excited.  It fit perfect and the shape was almost dead on.
So the search for fabric to cover the hat began.
Remember it had to be perfect :)
The closest matching fabric was found in Las Vegas, NV.

Thanks again to my Mom's husband and his family.    
Mom's husband not only made me the hat, he also gave me extra pieces for "pattern pieces".  So the fabric would fit perfectly.

FANTASTIC!!

So I cut out the fabric...

 Then I just started hot gluing it all on to the hat form.
I also decided, to get the shape just right, I wanted to add a slightly larger circle to the top of the hat.  That way I was able to form the top and make it look right.
 I don't have a picture of it but to finish the edge around the top of the hat and the brim, I made piping out of the same fabric and some small cording and attached it between the two layers of fabric. (you can kind of see it in the pic below)
I think it just gave it a finished look.

After a little embellishing, here is where I am at with THE HAT.


I am still looking for my other two hat pins.  I bought two packages of two, but have misplaced one set so I am going to have to find another package somewhere.
Well, what do you think?

I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  Thank you to everyone who has helped me with this costume this year.  I REALLY appreciate it.  This is the most help I think I have EVER had with a costume.
Thank you!

I plan on posting about the entire costume as soon as I:
1) Have if completely finished
&
2) Get someone to take a good picture of it.

Thank you all for looking.  I would love to know what you think about my hat.  It has been really fun putting this costume together.  I hope it ends up being an excellent tribute of...
      
The Mad Hatter  


The amazing costume design in this movie was done by Colleen Atwood.
"Costumes are the first impression that you have of the character before they open their mouth-it really does establish who they are."  Colleen Atwood  

  


8 comments:

Ms. Amber said...

WOW Joni!!! THE HAT looks fantastic!!! I can't wait to see the whole costume all finished! Well, I can't wait to see the costume finished, you dressed up in it and face painted!!!

Dana Cheryl said...

Awesome!!! I love it so much! Gosh I sure miss my days as your neighbor except for my landlords, of course. lol!

I was just yesterday showing my mom pictures of your kiddos and tell stories about how much I enjoyed them coming over to visit. I still have the gift certificate them made me allowing me one free treat from their "lemonade/treat stand". I will keep that thing FOREVER!

Beth said...

WOW!!! You are one amazing woman Joni!! Can't wait to see you all dressed up!

Katherine said...

Wow-that looks great!

Lori said...

my hubby wants to be him for halloween we have a top hat, but yours is better.

Tami said...

good job! It looks great. I found you at tatertots and jello!

Samantha said...

That hat is amazing! A dead ringer for the original! Have a great Halloween, hope you have a fun party to go to!

Sandy Ang said...

Wow what a great recreation of the hat !