Advice & Help Needed-Mini Top Hat

10-30-2009, 12:02 PM

Hi, and if you wouldn't mind I need advice about making the mini top hat. Now, originally I wanted to make my top hat into Guro Lolita, and also I'm making it into the mad hatter's hat.

So I used white felt to make and form the hat, I sewed it, and prefer not to use hotglue. On top of the hat, I used red felt to make a cross.

I'm curently, trying to sew the numbers and letters on the card. That's in the mad hatter's hat.

Now, I'm still 'new' to Lolita.

Please if you can give me advice of making the mini top hat right with the right fabic. It would be nice. Thank you.

Also, I have a question.

Is it alright if I use black for the numbers and letters on the card? Since guro lolita, I have thought was just colors of red and white. I wanted to ask.

Aryante · 10-31-2009, 09:39 AM

I wouldn't think it'd be a problem n.n

10-31-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryante

I wouldn't think it'd be a problem n.n

Thank you.

Kirotighta · 10-31-2009, 04:05 PM

I've never heard that Guro HAD to be just white and red, it's just that white shows off the red of the blood so well, so people usually use that. I'm sure you'll be fine with other colors.

celticfreefall · 11-01-2009, 03:11 AM

It would be fine to have black letters. It's just lettering. You're going to want to use something matte and thick, just a nice cotton if your base is too low quality. Nothing too shiny, though if you're using a high quality of ribbon it's okay as long as it's an accent. Here is an example of something to model off of.

Phanari · 11-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Went to OniCon and there was someone who made those out of felt and they looked really cute!

Basically, you cut out the pieces to make the shape then sew them together and add starch. Then you add bands to the underside, attach a head band............and BOOM! Once decorrated, you have a prefect loli top hat!

celticfreefall · 11-05-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanari

Went to OniCon and there was someone who made those out of felt and they looked really cute!

Basically, you cut out the pieces to make the shape then sew them together and add starch. Then you add bands to the underside, attach a head band............and BOOM! Once decorrated, you have a prefect loli top hat!

Not that easy, however. Poor quality felt that's left exposed, stovepipe like shape, and bad decoration is pretty much the hallmark of an ita topper. I've seen it a thousand times. Mini-hats are easily the most botched item for newbies when it comes to accessories. They're one of the hardest things to wear and look okay while wearing as well.

Phanari · 11-06-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celticfreefall

Not that easy, however. Poor quality felt that's left exposed, stovepipe like shape, and bad decoration is pretty much the hallmark of an ita topper. I've seen it a thousand times. Mini-hats are easily the most botched item for newbies when it comes to accessories. They're one of the hardest things to wear and look okay while wearing as well.

Actually, I was posting the whole "made simple" kinda way............you really should use some other kind of material but I've seen some made with felt quite recently and they looked pretty darn good.

I, myself, use foam.

ToroSonyCat · 11-06-2009, 05:16 PM

You made it entirelly from felt? Nothing to back it up?
i made one with felt and cardboard once, it came out pretty well.
the pictures not a great quality, it was taken by my phone. sorry. but this is it.
though im no good with instructions and making this took ALOT of working out, id reccommend you used something else other than just felt. it'd be a little.. limp?

in my opinion, black lettering would look best. so yes, go with that.
(im no lolita yet, though i hope to own a lolita dress sometime but this topic was about mini top hats so i came here to help from experience)

celticfreefall · 11-07-2009, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToroSonyCat

You made it entirelly from felt? Nothing to back it up?
i made one with felt and cardboard once, it came out pretty well.
the pictures not a great quality, it was taken by my phone. sorry. but this is it.
though im no good with instructions and making this took ALOT of working out, id reccommend you used something else other than just felt. it'd be a little.. limp?

in my opinion, black lettering would look best. so yes, go with that.
(im no lolita yet, though i hope to own a lolita dress sometime but this topic was about mini top hats so i came here to help from experience)

It came out very good in terms of construction! You're completely right, if you're going to use felt as a base you're going to have to use cardboard or buckram to make it stiff enough to hold shape. But, like I mentioned before, it has a problem typical to it's kind. The top of the hat is WAY too tall in comparison with it's brim. Look at this topper in comparison. It's stove pipe like and unbalanced. It's possible to fix that, though.

Sutie · 11-09-2009, 07:44 PM

I've just read through this and now I'm a little concerned. As far as head dresses go, I use mini-top hats that I've made more often than not. I wouldn't want to be considered... oh, I don't know, lame?...
So my question is: Is this ok?
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9...g?t=1257813644
^is a picture of one that I've made... the first one I ever made at that.

celticfreefall · 11-09-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutie

I've just read through this and now I'm a little concerned. As far as head dresses go, I use mini-top hats that I've made more often than not. I wouldn't want to be considered... oh, I don't know, lame?...
So my question is: Is this ok?
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9...g?t=1257813644
^is a picture of one that I've made... the first one I ever made at that.

Err.. kind of? The base looks good. It could do for a decoration make over, however, before it's really wearable. A bunch of skinny ribbon isn't really... elegant, good looking, or a finished product as far as lolita goes. If you're going to use ribbon, it should at least be a wide ribbon, and the ends shouldn't be streamers. Try incorporating some flowers, feathers or tulle. Look at brand pictures for inspiration. For example, here is a modified full size topper I've made. Later I added on some white ostrich feathers, and I change out different colors and varieties of feathers and flowers to suit what I'm wearing. The main "decoration" however is the broach. Lots of people make mini-toppers and add on cameos, and other kinds of jewelry that "make" the item. It's about balancing things though. Example, this, is what not to do to a mini topper. Contrast with this mini opera hat by the Western indies brand Candy Violet. Keep the quality high and the decoration tasteful, but a plain mini-hat is kind of a contradiction.

Sutie · 11-09-2009, 08:49 PM

Ok, I get what you are saying. Thank you so much! I've been wondering whether or not I was doing it right. Maybe I'll work on a new one tomorrow and post up a picture.

ToroSonyCat · 11-14-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celticfreefall

It came out very good in terms of construction! You're completely right, if you're going to use felt as a base you're going to have to use cardboard or buckram to make it stiff enough to hold shape. But, like I mentioned before, it has a problem typical to it's kind. The top of the hat is WAY too tall in comparison with it's brim. Look at this topper in comparison. It's stove pipe like and unbalanced. It's possible to fix that, though.

thank you ^^
ill keep that in mind next time i make one.

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