How to Make A Hat Out of Cardboard – Cheap & Easy Cosplay Top Hat From a Cereal Box

How to Make A Hat Out of Cardboard - Cheap & Easy Cosplay Top Hat From a Cereal Box

This week’s tutorial will show you how to make a hat out of an old cereal box. It’s super cheap and easy to do. Once it’s done, no one will know that your hat began its life as a humble cereal box.

MATERIALS USED:
Scrap paper
Thin cardboard (cereal boxes work great)
Black fabric (I used flannel)
Black ribbon
Red bias tape
Pencil
Scissors
X-acto knife
Tape
Hot glue gun
Fabric glue
Ruler

Choose your shape and color

You can vary the size and color of your hat to match whatever character you’re making it for. If you want something close to the head like mine was, a good way to do that is to measure the diameter of your head and add about 6 inches. If you need your hat to be bigger, simply add more inches to the diameter accordingly.

My hat was slightly oval in shape. If you’re making one that’s perfectly round, tracing a dinner plate might make it easy. If you want it oval like mine, either draw it freehand or just take a little off the edges of a circular design.

I used brown packing paper, the kind that comes in mail-order packages, to make my initial paper template. It’s free, and big enough to accommodate any hat or head size. And if you mess up the first template, there’s always more paper where that came from.

Fabric glue won’t seep through the ribbons

I found that hot glue tended to seep through the ribbon, so I used fabric glue instead to attach the ribbon to the hat. I also used red for my bias tape border to give it a little style, but you can use black if you prefer. Any color will work as long as you like it.

How to make a hat video tutorial by Amber Reifsteck, The Woodland Elf
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The Woodland Elf

Hey there! I'm Amber, The Woodland Elf. I'm here to teach you how to make cool stuff without spending a lot of money on it. From kick-ass costumes and fun craft projects to off-the-grid living, and organic gardening tutorials, you can learn how to "DIY Your Life," and maybe even help make the planet a little greener in the process. I post new tips and tutorials every week, so check back often.

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