As I mention on my general craft blog, we just got back from attending the Nightmare Machine Paranormal Steampunk Convention in Jefferson Texas. It was organized by the Steampunk Illumination Society. I heard they were having a silent auction to raise money for the nonprofit organization and their plans to fund acquiring a building to host events, so I offered up a tabistry top hat and some "beer goggles" to help the cause.
The top hat was an experiment. I plan to make one for a friend of ours in the near future, but wanted to get the shape right before making his. I think it turned out pretty close to what I wanted, except that I found I need to make it a wee bit larger.
The goggles were really fun to put together. I tried to use mostly parts from cans on them. The eye pieces are, of course, can tops from Miller Lite. I liked the gold tops to go with the gold rivets I had.
I punched out the mouth opening to see through and put in lenses made of green plastic bottle that is held in with the bottom of the can.
All of this is riveted to the leather sides. I used a wide can tab to attach the strap to the sides. It worked perfectly.
Then, I used another can tab and a short piece of wire to make the buckle in back. Most of the leather was scrap from my mans leather hats.
Above is a close up of the can tab buckle. I got a little bit of shoe polish on the buckle, as you can see. But it rubs off of aluminum pretty easy.
They did really well at the auction. Though we auctioned them separately, they both got to stay together when they went home with some new friends we met while there that came over from Shreveport Louisiana. Great family. I hope the hat and goggles provide as much enjoyment for them as they were for me in making them. Besides making two more possible top hats, I plan to experiment on the goggle idea again in the future, as well.
BTW, I also made a quick monocle out of an aluminum bottle. I talk about that more on my general crafting blog (mieljolie.blogspot.com). Thanks for stoppin' in!
So happy I am now the proud owner of these. Can't wait to wear them later this month!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you do, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see pics! Enjoy them!
DeleteMilejolie
Too cool! Very clever idea! Love them!!!
ReplyDeleteJamie
Aw! I soooo want to make a top hat for myself! Any way I can get instructions/pattern for it? Its just to cool! I have a thing for hats anyways but my regular top hat was destroyed a few years ago (crushed in a car wreck and never was able to reshape it properly again) and I haven't had the cash to replace it. I would so love to do my own version of this!
ReplyDeleteWith all the craziness with events lately I haven't worked up a written pattern for my top hat, yet. But, I do plan to make it available.
DeleteI'm not aware of you tabistry skill level. But, if you're unsure how to shape by weaving tabs in the round, I think the best approach would be to start with the POP TOP hat tutorial (available in my shop on Etsy, then link to which is on the left side of this blog) which covers many different hat styles, weaving in the round, increasing/decreasing, and how to size hats. Contact me via email (located in my profile) when you're comfortable with these skills and I'd be happy to share with you the details in constructing this one from there. It's only a little bit trickier than my other hats, due to the shaping of the top and brim.
Sorry to hear about your top hat. But, glad it was the hat and not you.
Mieljolie
Thanks! I will contact you once my skills are good and I will try out the hat tutorial soon (need to do some puppy dog eyes at my boyfriend for the spare cash to get it LOL!). I would say I'm begining level but I work small projects in wire and chain links (also work with bottle caps and trying to figure out how to use scrap puzzle pieces from a puzzle set that's missing pieces.) so I can understand the concepts for something more complicated... I'm also good at following directions and altering things for myself once I figure it out. I will probably try to do as you say but still look forward to a actual tutorial for it once you have the time :D
DeleteYeah, I'm glad it was the hat and not me to. Sucks loosing it though, it was my favorite *sigh* oh well.
Oh, another question... Is their a preferred type of material to use for the weaving? can ribbon be used or would the tabs cut though? Also is thicker better or thin ok? I'm trying to figure out if I have the materials needed already or if I need to go shopping around.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help by the way!
I'm thinking if I find some black leather (fake leather is fine) strips that weave though the tabs good enough that I might try making a leather top hat :D
I used a lot of polar fleece strips (but it sheds a lot!) and t-shirt strips ranging from 1-2.5 inches wide. Shoelaces are great to learn with. But, ribbon will work if you can prevent it from snagging. Grosgrain is great, but not being stretchy, makes a pretty stiff item. If you're worried about the tabs cutting delicate material, file off the rough part with a metal file.
DeleteLeather would look great, but if it's thick, it will make your item pretty heavy.
Good luck on your hat adventure! :)
Mieljolie
please please pleaseeee publish a written tutorial !!!!! i want to make this so bad!! and i would appreciate it if you did. when you do, comment here the link.
ReplyDeletethanks in advance!
Hello, Anon. Which item are you requesting a tutorial for? The hat or googles? Or both? I plan to eventually have a top hat pattern, but haven't decided to attempt one for the googles, yet. But, I am working on some more goggles at a later date, so may work one up then.
DeleteMieljolie
Your work is amazing and rather simple to, I love it!
DeleteI make chainmaille out of old bed springs and scalemaille out of beer caps, and now just starting to use can taps in clothing to.
If you don't mind I think I'll make a top hat as well, don't worry I don't need a tutorial, but I must say you've done wonders for my inspiration :)
ZOMG I love those googles!! what's your name on Etsy!?
ReplyDeleteNeat stuff! 8)
ReplyDeleteOP stuff
ReplyDeleteSo is there a pattern for the hat
ReplyDeleteI had started one, but my time has been needed elsewhere. I do hope to get back to finishing it at some point.
Delete