Pirate Hat Construction

So~ pirate hat construction post!!

Before even considering how to make a large pirate hat, I decided to test my theory of how to make one through a miniature hat. I used felt, a small cup, water, starch, an elastic band, and white school glue for the main items.

After several weeks, I deemed it complete and was satisfied enough with the method to work on a full-fledged pirate hat.

Miniature hat that I made... probably the most flammable hat on the planet lol.

Luckily for me, the timing of beginning this project came at the best time. For a personal thing, a guy that I was crushing on happened to get involved with someone. I'm happy for him, but still it made me a bit bummed. Yet, this is the norm for me~! So, instead of having reasons to reflect upon myself and all my flaws~ I craft! Crafting really helps me forget about current stress going on in my life, so even if I'm not good at it... I can at least immerse myself in it.

So~ DAY ONE.

Before beginning, I went to several Dollar Trees to locate a good bowl for my "hat base". It took SEVERAL weeks to locate, but I found one. I also planned to buy white felt, but ended up with white flannel instead. I figured that flannel would work just as good, if not, better than the felt.

So, to begin, I took my exacto knife and cut off a portion of the bowl, since I didn't want that to be transferred to my hat. Unfortunately for myself, I ended up cutting two of my fingers with the exacto knife. (Ouch~) So, naturally, cleaned the wounds and wrapped them with bandages.

Then, I cut out a portion of fabric and dampened it. Once dampened, I stretched it out as much as I could and wrapped it around the bowl. I then took a rubber band to hold it, but unfortunately, unlike the small hat, the rubber band wasn't able to help. In a panic, my brother asked if I had another bowl around the same size. I luckily bought my bowls in a 2 pack, so he suggested that I just cover it all with the other bowl. So, I starched the material a bit, then covered it with the other bowl. To make sure that there's pressure, I placed a filled soda can on top.

That's all that can be done for day one. Now, it's the waiting game... wait for everything to dry... which can take anywhere from one day to a week or two. I'm hoping that it dries quickly.

DAY TWO.

Drying... added more starch....

DAY THREE.

Excited that the first layer dried so quickly!! :D So~ I ended up adding the second layer of the hat. So, I dampened the new piece of fleece and then, threw school glue all over the first piece, layed the new piece on top, then secured it. Now awaiting it to dry....

DAY FOUR.

Awaiting the hat to dry...

DAY FIVE.

Still waiting for the hat to dry...

DAY SIX.

Hat dried! So, I made the brim~ attached the brim with some decor, pinned in place, then dampened/starched. Awaiting everything to dry~

DAY SEVEN.

Luckily, the hat dried overnight~ so! Took out the pins~ and~ finished up the last touches! Hat is complete~ Yay~! I really am impressed with the results. I wish that it was a little bit higher, but next time, if I make another hat like this, I'll locate a better bowl for my hat form. Though~ I do like how it looks all together. :)