Costume Craftwork on a Budget

SECTION THREE Hats and Headdresses

Chapter 8 Variety Hats

MAKING A TOP HAT

Making a top hat is always the first project in my millinery class because it covers most of the principal techniques of hat construction from patterning, cutting, and wiring to attaching the lid, sideband, and brim together to line the hat.

A top hat can be in any style with a straight, tapered up/down, or curved sideband and a flat or curved brim. Each hat style has a similar construction procedure. The top hat described here has a tapered down sideband crown that dips down in the front and back.

PROCEDURE FOR MAKING A TOP HAT

Materials Required:

•  Pattern paper

•  Buckram

•  Mold or ring block for brim

•  Plastic bag

•  Plastic wrap

•  Push pins

•  Marker

•  Millinery ...