Mad Hatter Costume, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Threadbanger
### Making the Mad Hatter Costume: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Mad Hatter is one of the most iconic literary characters of all time, and when combined with Colleen Atwood’s incredible design aesthetics, he becomes the ultimate Halloween costume inspiration. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create your very own Mad Hatter outfit, starting with the most important piece: the hat.
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#### Making the Mad Hatter Hat
1. **Materials Needed**:
- A piece of poster board (10 inches tall).
- Thick cardboard.
- Fabric (thick material recommended).
- Wire (thick gauge).
- Hot glue gun and tape.
- Spray paint (dark green, black, metallic gold).
- Optional: Old lace curtains, salmon-colored button-down shirt, ostrich feathers, burnt-edged size card, vintage hat pins, white wig, fabric spray dyes, and thread.
2. **Constructing the Cylinder**:
Start by rolling the poster board into a cylinder that fits around your head with room to wear a wig. Tape the seams securely.
3. **Adding the Base**:
Cut out a circle from thick cardboard with a 6-inch radius. Place the cylinder on top of this circle, centering it perfectly. Tape and glue the two pieces together around the seam using a glue gun.
4. **Covering the Cylinder**:
Wrap a piece of thick fabric around the top of the cylinder, overlapping and gluing the ends together. Stretch the fabric into the inside of the cylinder, pulling it as taut as possible. Cut a circle from the fabric to match the top and glue it in place, trimming any excess.
5. **Adding Details**:
Optional: Add a layer of old lace curtain for extra texture. Use another piece of material, trace around the bottom of the cylinder with tailor’s chalk, cut out the middle, and create slits up to the circle outline.
6. **Creating the Brim**:
Cut a wire circle with a radius 3 inches larger than the base circle. Tape the ends together and place it on top of the cylinder’s bottom. Use hot glue to secure the fabric slits to the inside, then stretch the fabric over the wire, pinning it tightly. Sew around the brim and trim any excess material.
7. **Finishing Touches**:
Spray paint the entire hat with dark green, black, and metallic gold for a striking look. Create a band from an old salmon-colored button-down shirt and glue it around the hat. Add ostrich feathers, a burnt-edged size card, vintage hat pins, and a white wig dyed bright orange for the final touch.
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#### Completing the Mad Hatter Ensemble
1. **The Overcoat**:
Dyed an old tan corduroy blazer green, then added lace to the lapel for texture. Use fabric spray dyes in different colors to create a multicolored effect. Add lace cuffs and trim around the edges for extra detail.
2. **Pinstripe Pants**:
Use old khakis dyed green. Tape thin masking tape in vertical lines on both sides, then spray paint over them with purple. Remove the tape after drying for a sharp pinstripe look.
3. **Fingerless Gloves**:
Trace around your hand on fabric, pin two layers together, cut them out, and sew to create fingerless gloves.
4. **Signature Bow Scarf**:
Cut a wide strip from an old sheet, dye it black with Tulip One-Step Fabric Dye, then use pink and yellow fabric sprays to create a blotchy effect.
5. **Arsenal of Thread**:
Gather 15 spools of thread, remove labels, and weave them together using a long piece of yarn. Tie knots at both ends and attach to an old leather belt with drilled holes. Sew the yarn ends through the holes for a unique accessory.
6. **Final Touches**:
Put on white makeup, cut locks from your wig for eyebrows, and glue them in place. Don’t forget to rock your craziest expression while enjoying your tea!
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### Conclusion
The Mad Hatter costume is more than just an outfit—it’s a labor of love that brings together creativity, attention to detail, and a touch of whimsy. By following these steps, you can recreate the iconic look yourself and bring the character to life this Halloween. Whether you’re crafting the hat, sewing the overcoat, or creating the thread arsenal, every step contributes to making this costume unforgettable. So gather your materials, watch the video again if needed, and let your inner Mad Hatter shine!