Witch costumes are always popular on Halloween. If you plan to dress up as a witch this year or if your child wants to, you may want to create your own costume to save money or just for fun. Making your own witch hat will give you a chance to customize this important part of the costume any way you want, and you don't even have to know how to sew!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Create the cone
Step 1. Gather your supplies
Creating a witch hat is easy and only requires a few items. Before you start, you will need:
- black foam for crafts;
- rope;
- pair of scissors;
- wire;
- American tape;
- a ribbon;
- upholstery material, such as feathers or faux fur;
- ornaments, such as plastic spiders, buttons, or bows.
Step 2. Measure and cut the foam into a cone shape
Take the rope and hold the end in the corner of the foam. Then, extend the string several inches with a pencil in hand. Use the string and pencil to trace the bottom of the cone. You can make the cone as tall as you want.
- When you have finished drawing the curved line for the bottom of the cone, use the scissors to cut along this line. When you're done, you should have a triangular piece of foam with a circular bottom.
- You can also use a precision knife to get more precise edges when cutting the foam, but it is not necessary.
Step 3. Cut the wire
Next, cut a piece of wire that is slightly shorter than the top of the cone. You can measure the cone from base to tip to see how long the piece of wire needs to be, or simply hold the wire against the cone and make the cut.
Step 4. Glue the wire to the center of the cone
Lay the piece of wire over the center of the cone shape, as if you were splitting the cone in half with the wire. One end of the wire should be at the pointed end of the cone and the other end of the wire should be at the base. Next, take a piece of duct tape that is longer than the wire and lay it lengthwise over it.
- Make sure there is little space between the end of the wire and the edge of the cone when you glue it on. Otherwise, the wire may go through the top of the hat or poke your head when wearing it.
- Cut off the excess tape after you have secured the wire to the cone. There should not be any piece of tape that extends beyond the edge of the foam.
Step 5. Apply more duct tape to one edge
You will need to apply a couple of pieces of duct tape to the edge of the hat to secure them and form the cone. Take a piece of duct tape and secure it to the flat edge of the cone, then place another piece of tape over it so that they overlap a bit.
- Next, fold the other edge of the cone and press the duct tape in place to secure the edges.
- Make sure the wire and duct tape are on the inside of the cone when you secure the edges.
Part 2 of 3: Create the brim of the hat
Step 1. Measure and cut the brim
To create the brim of the hat, you will have to spread another piece of foam and attach a piece of string in the center. Then, holding your pencil and the other end of the string in your other hand, draw a circle. This circle will be the wing of the cone shape, so make sure it's big enough.
After you've measured the brim, cut along the edges of the circle you've drawn. Try to cut along the line as evenly as possible because any jagged edges will show
Step 2. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to flatten the brim
When you've finished cutting the brim, spread it out on the table again and use a heat gun or hair dryer to flatten the curved edges. If the wing is already flat enough, you don't have to worry about flattening it further.
You can also place a couple of heavy books on the foam and leave them for a few hours to flatten the brim
Step 3. Cut the center of the brim
Then fold the brim in half so the edges are level. Make a slit in the center of the brim, then move outward. Keep cutting until you have created a small circle in the center of the brim. Then cut four slits on the inside edges of the brim to add a little more flexibility.
Keep in mind that the inner circle will need to be large enough to fit your head but no larger than your head or it may be too loose
Step 4. Check to make sure the brim fits on your head
Test the wing on your head before moving on to make sure it fits you. If it feels too tight, you can adjust it. If it is too loose, you will need to create a new wing with a new piece of foam.
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the hat
Step 1. Use a ribbon to cover the joint of the cone
Before attaching the cone to the wing, you can cover the cone joint with a piece of black ribbon. Use hot glue to secure the ribbon to the cone.
- Make sure the hot glue is completely hot before you start gluing the ribbon to the cone.
- Hold the hot glue close to the foam as you apply it. Otherwise, the glue may partially dry out before the batten has been secured to the cone.
Step 2. Glue the cone to the wing
You will also need to use hot glue to attach the cone to the brim of the hat. To glue the brim to the cone, apply hot glue to the base of the cone and press the cone against the brim of the hat.
- Make sure the cone is centered over the brim of the hat by securing it with hot glue.
- If you want to decorate the hat, you can also apply some feathers or faux fur to the area where the cone meets the brim. Simply use the hot glue to secure the ornaments to the base of the cone.
Step 3. Bend the cone as you like
After the hat is finished and the glue is dry, you can shape the cone however you want it to look by slightly bending it. The wire inside the cone will allow you to create a bent or squashed shape on the cone of the hat.
Try bending the cone in two or three places to give it a worn look
Step 4. Add other finishing touches
You can also decorate your witch hat with other types of items, such as plastic spiders, a bow, or some buttons. Choose items that complement your costume.