Make a Mad Hatter Hat
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How to Make a Top Hat, Wellington Hat or Mad Hatter Hat
The Mat Hatter's Hat has taken on a new life and a new look for the newest interpretation of Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton for Johnny Depp's portrayal of the eccentric character.
I've been interested in the Mad Hatter costume since Halloween and have been scouring the Internet for patterns and tutorials for making a Mad Hatter Hat or the Wellington Hat.
What you find here in the Make a Mad Hatter Hat lens are the patterns, video tutorials and tutorials I've discovered searching on the Internet.
Another fun variation of the Mad Hatter Top Hat is a Miniature version or a Mini Top Hat, popular as part of the Steampunk style and the Japanese Lolita style. There was so much on Mini Top Hats, that I created a separate lens for them as well.
Pick your pattern or tutorial for making a Top Hat, Wellington Hat or Mini Top Hat. There are different styles of hats and different ways to create the hats: sewing, knitting, crocheting, gluing and taping.
The easiest way to make your own Mad Hatter Hat is to embellish a purchased top hat or mini top hat.
Options for Making a Mad Hatter Hat
Mad Hatter Hat

The Mad Hatter Hat
Wellington Top Hat
Particulars about the Wellington Hat
A true Mad Hatter Hat is a Wellington Style hat, which according to Lynn McMasters was a short-lived fad in the 1820's and 1830's. The Wellington Hat was a top hat with concave sides or a hat where the top section (circle) is larger than the head section (circle). The peak of the top hat's popularity in the 1840s and the 1850s saw it reach its most extreme form, with ever higher crowns and narrow brims, much like the Mad Hatter Hat.The Mad Hatter Hat differs from the traditional top hat in that it is wider at the very top than at the brim (circle) of the hat. The Traditional Top Hat is sometimes called the stove pipe hat, cylinder hat, chimney pot hat, an indication that the hat goes straight up and down.
Think of the differences between the look of the Mad Hatter (Wellington Hat) and Abraham Lincoln, Cat in the Hat or Willy Wonka (Top Hat).
Image: Modified Microsoft Clipart.
10/6 Hat Tag
What does the 10/6 indicate on the Mad Hatter Hat?The tag on the hat is a price tag. 10/6 was the short hand notation for 10 shillings and 6 pence or the price of the hat.
10/6 is also the value for a half guinea. In 1717 a royal proclamation fixed the value of the guinea at twenty one shillings.
With the proclamation the value of the half guinea was fixed at ten shillings and sixpence written either as 10s6d or 10/6.
Source: Wikipedia. Half Guinea.
Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

Interview with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton
More about Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
Make a Mad Hatter Hat
or a Wellington Hat
Make a Mad Hatter Hat
The Mad Hatter costume was a hit even before the film debut. It was one of the more popular costumes for Halloween 2009. Threadbanger noted the popularity of the Mad Hatter Costume before Halloween this year:- How do you know a movie is going to be huge?
People start dressing up as the characters before it even comes out.
There are many ways to make a Mad Hatter hat. The Lynn McMaters Wellington pattern may be one of the best patterns for making a more traditional style hat. Simplicity 2525 contains two versions, a large adult size and a smaller Mini Hat Pattern. Both of these patterns are good ways of getting started.
There are also several tutorials and articles with directions for making your own Mad Hatter Hat. The best probably comes from Instructables.com with pictures or from the DIY forum with text directions.
How to Make Mad Hatter Costume and Hat
Mad Hatter Hat Pattern in the Amazon Spotlight
Wellington or "Mad Hatter" Top Hat Pattern
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
his Pattern has three different views of this flared Top Hat Style worn from 1800 - 1870's.
It includes instructions for making it in wool or in straw. The shorter version made from straw was sometimes worn by in the very late 1700's and very early 1800's.
Top Hat Sewing Patterns
- Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns 2007 : Misses Costume
- Misses Costumes include a short dresses for Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter Hat.
- Simplicity Creative Group - Misses Costumes 2525
- A collection of Misses Costumes featuring topcoat, tails and two versions of a Mad Hatter Top Hat, one larger one mini.
- Amazon.com: Wellington or "Mad Hatter" Top Hat Pattern
- Wellington, Mad Hatter, Muller Cut Down Style Top Hat from Lynn McMasters Patterns.
Step by Step Directions to Make a Mad Hatter Hat
- Burton's Mad Hatter Hat
- This are instructions to make the Mad Hatter Hat from the new Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
A Multitude of Mad Hatter Hats
Image: Valeriana Solaris Top Hat Background. Creative Commons License.
Secrets Behind the Mad Hatter Hat
- The Hat
- My favorite display at the D23 Expo included a certain gent's hat. The artistry of the hat's design is stunning from Cottage Way of Life.
- Mad Hatter
- I was blog surfing this morning and over at the Cottage Way Of Life this is what I found. Not only are there wonderful photos, but Sue will tell you the secret to what it's made out of! from Running With Scissors.
More Articles on How to Make a Mad Hatter Hat
- How to Make a Mad Hatter Hat | eHow.com
- How to Make a Mad Hatter Hat. You can make a Mad Hatter hat from a bit of fabric and ribbon, some wire, and a little of your time. To add some verve after the hat is finished, give the hat brim a "crease" in the front and back...
- Mad Hatter Costume, TopHat, Threadbanger | Projects
- How do you know a movie is going to be huge? People start dressing up as the characters before it even comes out. So this week we're taking the cue from one of our most requested Halloween tutorials of the season...The Mad Hatter!
- Completed Mad Hatter Top Hat - CLOTHING
- Completed Mad Hatter Top Hat - CLOTHING - Hello - This is only the second or third time I have posted on here but I wanted to share my recently completed (okay it doesn"t have a lining yet).
- Craftster Photo Hosting - Left Side Mad Hatter - Powered by PhotoPost
- Images of a Mad Hatter Hat.
- Replica Prop Forum - Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland Costumes
- Pictures of a replica hat made in the style of Tim Burton's Mad Hatter Hat
- Mad Hatter Hat » Creation | Cut Out + Keep
- How to make a mad hatter hat: M Gray Blackbird's craft creation for inspiration, or make your own version
- How to Make a Mad Hatter Hat
- How to Make a Mad Hatter Hat from the DIY Forum
- Stepford Life.: Costume Update: Mad Hatter Hat
- The hat is complete. I found this amazing youtube video. The hat is made out of: poster board ($1), Boring flags that I bent to make a ring for the rim, an old shower curtain, ripped up lace off a shirt from Goodwill I bought for $2, $1.10 worth of salmon satin, peacock feather ($2), 2 knitting needles ($2), an index card and black spray paint from the garage.
- Steampunk Top Hat » How To | Cut Out + Keep
- Make your own Steampunk Top Hat for under $20!!: Becca K.'s step-by-step craft tutorial - Make yours in 90 minutes (3 steps).
- How to Make a Mad Hatter Halloween Costume
- The Mad Hatter is one of the most colorful and memorable characters from the Alice in Wonderland book series, and is a fun choice for a Halloween costume.
Buy and Embellish a Wellington Hat
Embellishing a Mad Hatter Hat
The easiest way to make a Mad Hatter Hat, especially if you don't want to sew or knit one, is to get a top hat and add your own embellishments to create a custom Mad Hatter Hat.To embellish the Mad Hatter Hat:
- * Add a layer of dark lace over the entire hat.
* Tie a peach or salmon colored scarf in place of the ribbon or hat band.
* Create or add several hat pins with blue gems, brass baubles and old vintage style jewelry for the left side.
* Place a Peacock feather on the right side.
* Cut a small piece of striped ribbon for the right side.
* Add a tag or card with the numbers 10/6 for the price or 3/5 for the date of the premiere.
Image: Mconnors Top Hat. Morgue File License.
Mad Hatter Black Hat in the Amazon Spotlight
Scala Mad Hatter, Large, Black
Amazon Price: $67.50 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
This Scala Black Top Hat is made with wool felt. The hat has a 24-Ligne grosgrain trim, and a bound edge 2" brim.
Mad Hatter Hat Pins on Amazon
Elope Alice in Wonderland Madhatter Hat Pin Set
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
Officially licensed Disney Hat Pins
The package includes five eclectic metallic bejeweled pins to embellish your own Mad Hatter Hat
Size: 6 inches
Peacock Feathers on Amazon
Peacock Eye Feathers - 12PK/Natural
Amazon Price: $5.85 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
Peacock feathers to include on your Mad Hatter Hat.
Mad Hatter Hats on eBay
Silk Jacquard Scarf on Amazon
Scarf - Silk Jacquard (Golden Peach)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
This beautiful silk and rayon scarf can wrap around a Top Hat to recreate your own Mad Hatter Hat.
Size: 17.5" x 70.5"
Traditional Top Hats on Amazon
Knit or Crochet a Mad Hatter Hat
Knit or Crochet a Mad Hatter Hat
Knitters and Crocheters may want to use their knitting and crocheting skills to fashion a unique yarn Mad Hatter Hat. This Mushroom Cap hat is just one of the patterns that I've found for crocheting a Mad Hatter Style Hat. It is available for free on the Lion Brand Yarn site. I've started one in Olive Green for the Alice in Wonderland Premiere.Darktwist on Etsy offers two knitted patterns for making Top Hats through her Etsy store. I've got a copy of her Minitature knitted top hat to knit up a mini top hat.
Image: Mushroom Hat Pattern available from Lion Brand Yarn.
Large Top Hat Patterns from Darktwist on Etsy
This pattern includes a full sized top hat and a pirate styled hat.
Adult size Top Hat/Pirate Hat - Knitting Pattern | Price: $0
This pattern has two basic hat shapes ready for whatever your imagination might be ready to throw at them. First is a full size top hat, by popular de... (full description)
Top Hat Knit and Crochet Patterns
- Felted Bucket Hat : Lion Brand Yarn Company - Pattern #: P70074a
- Felted Bucket Hat Knitting Patterns using Lion Brand® Lion® Wool. Skill level easy. This pattern is for sale at the Lion Brand Website.
- Felted Beanie Hat & Scarf
- Another pattern from Lion Brand Yarn Company. The rim on this felted beanie can be adjusted to make a Mad Hatter style hat. Adult size.
- Victorian Mini Top Hat - KNITTING
- Victorian Mini Top Hat - KNITTING - I've been on a mini hat craze lately and this latest top hat I just love! I had originally started with the Miniature Top Hat pattern by darktwist
- Crochet Hat Pattern
- A free crochet hat pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. This also comes with a scarf.
- Make-a-Statement Hat - Pattern #: 60113
- Free Knitting Pattern using Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®. Intermediate Skill Level. You may need to create an account with Lion Brand Yarn to access this pattern. This needs to be adjusted a bit to create a brim.
Mini Top Hat Pattern from Darktwist on Etsy
A miniature knitted top hat pattern. This is one of the patterns that I've purchased to try my hand at a top hat.
Knitting Pattern - Miniature Top Hat | Price: $0
A frivolous bit of whimsy that is easy and addictive to knit. I won’t admit how many of these I’ve made. A wonderful canvas to decorate extravagan... (full description)
Make a Mini Top Hat
or Mini Mad Hatter Hat
Make a Mini Mad Hatter Top Hat
One uses a Styrofoam cup as the base to make a Mad Hatter Style Hat. The other uses Sticky Felt to make a more traditional style Top Hat or Lolita Hat.
Image: Modified Microsoft Clipart
How to Make a Mini Top Hat Video
- 1 Styrofoam cup
1 Exacto Knife
Scissors
2 8x10 sheets of Foam or Felt
Glue- Hot glue works well
Embellishments: Ribbons, Feathers, jewels etc.
More on Making Mini Top Hats
Lolita Fashion from Wikipedia
Lolita Fashion is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period. Lolita has made this into a unique fashion by adding gothic and original design elements to the look. From this, Lolita fashion has evolved into several different sub styles and has created a devoted subculture in Japan.The Lolita look consists primarily of a knee length skirt or dress, headdress, blouse, petticoat, knee high socks or stockings and rocking horse or high heel/platform shoes.
The style soon spread from its origins in the Kansai region, and ultimately reached Tokyo where it became popularized throughout Japanese youth culture. Today, Lolita fashion has grown so much in popularity that it can be found even in department stores in Japan. Today many young people wear the fashion all around the world.
Image: Lisa Dragon Top Hat. Creative Commons License.
Mini Top Hat on Amazon
Cocktail Black Mini Top Hat W/Net Trim Headband
Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
An eye-catching black mini hat. This black mini hat is decorated with a variety of feathers and a ribbon.
The hat is attached to a head band for easy wearing.
How to Make Lolita-style Mini Tophats
- *"Presto" felt (felt with one sticky side)
*Ribbons and lace
*Old costume jewelry, cheap jewels, and decals
*Glue gun and sticks
*Scissors
Solid Sticky Felt on Amazon
Stick It Felt 9"X12"-Black
Amazon Price: $5.06 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
Stick It Felt comes with an adhesive backing.
Pieces measure 9 x 12 inches
Buy and Embellish a Mini Top Hat
Embellish a Mini Top Hat
One of the easiest ways to make your own Mini Top Hat is to start with a basic hat and add your own embellishments and custom touches.Some of the items that can be used include ribbons, feathers, flowers, lace, peacock feathers, lace or mesh fabric, beads, mini pearls, skeletons, skull and crossbones, hearts, sequins, jewels and vintage jewelry.
For a lot less than buying one, you can make your own unique Mini Top Hat.
Image: Top Hat available on Amazon.
Small 5 1/2" Felt Top Hat on Amazon
Stiffened Felt Top Hat: 5-1/2" Black
Amazon Price: $1.18 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
Embellish and create your own Mini Mad Hatter starting with this stiffened felt top hat in black.
Measures 5 1/2 inches.
Small 3" Felt Top Hat on Amazon
Stiffened Felt Top Hat: 3" Black
Amazon Price: $1.44 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
Another black felt top hat that can be turned into your own mini version of the Mad Hatter hat.
Measures 3 inches.
Mini Top Hats on Amazon
Buy a Mad Hatter Hat
The Traditional Disney Mad Hatter
The current version of the Disney Mad Hatter was inspired by the 1951 Disney cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland. With wild and crazy hair, the Mad Hatter Hat and colorful attire as seen in the picture below.This Mad Hatter Hat is the one that has been available at Disneyland Parks, Amazon and sole on eBay.
This Mad Hatter was voiced by famous character actor, Ed Wynn, who his perhaps best remembered for his role as Uncle Albert in the Mary Poppins.
Image: Mad Hatter Stickers available on Amazon.
Disney's Original Mad Hatter
Image: Princess Ashley. Mad Hatter at the Mad Hatter Tea Party.
Creative Commons License.
Classic Mad Hatter Hat in the Amazon Spotlight
Mad Hatter Hat 10/6 in This Style Green
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
An adult version of the first classic Mad Hatter Hat.
Green Mad Hatter Costume Hats on Amazon
Shiny Black Top Hat in the Amazon Spotlight
Shiny Black Top Hat [Apparel]
Amazon Price: $17.59 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
A shiny black top hat ready to wear or for embellishing.
More Mad Hatter Hats on Amazon
Mad Hatter Button on Amazon
Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Button
Amazon Price: $1.71 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
The Classic Disney Mad Hatter Button.
Mad Hatter Hats on eBay
Alice in Wonderland Costume Lenses
More of My Alice in Wonderland Lenses
News about the Mad Hatter from Google
- Mad Hatter Tea Part fun for Alameda dads, daughters
- The Alameda Recreation and Park Department and Girls Incorporated of the Island City hosted the Mad Hatter Tea Party evening, including a Girls Krazy Hat Contest, which was won by Isabel Penston. Strawberry Fields played musical requests for the ...
- Marc Jacobs and the Mad Hatter
- By Christina Binkley Marc Jacobs went beyond the looking glass for Fall 2012 ? with a haunting set designed by Rachel Feinstein ? and he's likely to take the rest of fashion along with him as his ripples spread, into the land of floppy hats and cozy ...
- Mad Hatter's Tea Party
- A father and daughter dance to the music provided by Strawberry Fields DJ at last Saturday evening's Mad Hatter Tea Party at the O Club at Alameda Point. The evening included not only dancing but a "Krazy Hat Contest," arts-and-crafts projects, ...
- Edmond Mad Hatter party attracts dads and daughters
- Fathers and daughters gathered in Edmond for a Mad Hatter Tea Party. The daughters had the opportunity to make fancy hats while enjoying cookies and lemonade with their dads, some with cameras in hand to record the afternoon.
Mad Hatter Hat Receives a Purple Star
On February 10, 2010 the Make a Mad Hatter Hat lens received a Purple Star.Purple stars are awarded weekly to favorite lenses created by all-star Giant Squids.
It is quite an unexpected honor for this lens. The Mad Hatter would be pleased.
Mad Hatter Hat - Lens of the Day

Make a Mad Hatter Lens is LOTD - February 11, 2010
The Make a Had Hatter Lens was nominated by Squid Angel, Sylvestermouse to be considered for Lens of the Day.- ...With the upcoming release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, cosplay fans won't go without their own authentic grab with help from Comfortdoc's lens Make a Mad Hatter Hat.
Comfortdoc's lens contains way more than just how to make a hat. You'll learn more than you probably wanted to know about the difference between a top hat and a Wellington hat, the role of the Mad Hatter Hat in Alice in Wonderland, and how to girly-up a mini top hat and start your own Mad Hatteress trend.
Alice in Wonderland opens March 5, so don't take time to say hello, goodbye, get your stuff, make your hat, don't be late!
Squidoo Lens of the Day Blog Post
- It's a Mad Mad Hatter Hat World
- You'll learn more than you probably wanted to know about the difference between a top hat and a Wellington hat, the role of the Mad Hatter Hat in Alice in Wonderland, and how to girly-up a mini top hat and start your own Mad Hatteress trend. From the Squidoo Lens of the Day Blog.
Blog Posts about the Mad Hatter's Hat
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byComments on the Mad Hatter Hat
Have you been inspired to make your own Mad Hatter Hat?
Will you decide to buy one?
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RCGraphicsDesign
Feb 17, 2012 @ 10:33 am | delete
- Great project for our grandkids. Thanks so much.
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naheedahsan
Feb 5, 2012 @ 10:05 am | delete
- i like the Mad Hatter Black Hat
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jimmyworldstar
Feb 1, 2012 @ 4:26 pm | delete
- I wonder how they get the tophat to squeeze as the lower part and inflate outwards at the top. I guess they mold it a little bit by bit to make the shape conform.
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girlfriendfactory
Jan 30, 2012 @ 9:37 pm | delete
- I think I would have so much fun making my own hat - for year-round use, of course! Then I could go around acing as mad as a hatter all the time and have a perfectly fine excuse for doing so...plus I could drink tea with the hare and no one would dare to question me! I just love this terrific lens and it can be found among the other blessed lenses at Flyby Wingings They may call me an aimless wanderer, but not all who wander are aimless and I'm glad I wandered upon this! ~Ren
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tembrooke
Jan 29, 2012 @ 9:07 pm | delete
- What a fun idea! It's a lovely hat -- such attention to detail.
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krakensquid
Jan 25, 2012 @ 8:53 am | delete
- Absolutely love that hat.. unpolished elegance! The lens is nothing short of brilliant as well, excellently built.
If you're a fan of Johnny Depp by the way you might enjoy visiting my fan-lens about him, it contains hot photos, fresh news, videos and more. :)
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mihgasper
Jan 21, 2012 @ 6:43 pm | delete
- Well done. Just what i needed if my hat falls into pieces;-)
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mepperly07
Jan 1, 2012 @ 7:13 pm | delete
- I love this one
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Showpup
Nov 20, 2011 @ 8:31 am | delete
- What fun! I've always adored the Mat Hatter hat. Make it red and purple and wear it for a red hat society get together! :)
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Lifeboost Oct 25, 2011 @ 9:15 am | delete
- What a wonderfully fun lens! I think I might make one for my son for halloween this year... he's been wanting to go as a werewolf... but we'll soon fix that lol :) Hmm... no reason a werewolf can't wear a Mad Hatter hat! ;)
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Aquavel
Oct 12, 2011 @ 12:56 am | delete
- Such fun! I used to make high hats for the centerpiece on Groundhog's Day, since the famous Punxsutawney Phil always wears a top hat. I do love the Mat Hatter and I may end up switching venues. Also, there's no reason the Groundhog can't wear a Wellington. It's all fun and total madness! Great lens!
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Upon-Request
Oct 2, 2011 @ 9:34 pm | delete
- What a cool an inspiring lens! Definitely will have to try some of these hat making ideas.
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katesawyer
Oct 2, 2011 @ 8:27 pm | delete
- Wow! what an original and well done lens. Never knew so much about a hat.
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fugeecat
Oct 2, 2011 @ 10:27 am | delete
- using a styrofoam cup for the mini top hat is brilliant. i hadn't thought about using that was the base for the hate.
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randomrhonda
Oct 2, 2011 @ 12:58 am | delete
- I love the mini top hats. I need to make one for my steampunk outfit!
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cheech1981
Oct 1, 2011 @ 1:32 am | delete
- awesome!
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ScareYouDiva
Sep 30, 2011 @ 8:08 am | delete
- I never knew these were called Wellingtons. Now I'll have to make myself one. Thanks!
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ScareYouDiva
Sep 30, 2011 @ 8:02 am | delete
- I never knew it was called a Wellington hat. Got to make my own now. Thanks!
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ScareYouDiva
Sep 30, 2011 @ 8:02 am | delete
- I never knew it was called a Wellington hat. Got to make my own now. Thanks!
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mermaidlife Sep 23, 2011 @ 7:25 pm | delete
- Is that what those hats are called, Wellingtons. I learned something new today! I really liked your crocheted hat. I just started to learn how to crochet so I might try that next.
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