Perfect Tea Party Cosy Hat

When I first read about the Mad Hatter competition, the first image that came to mind of course was the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol. I think everyone has read this book, or had it read to them. If not, do yourself a favour, it is in the public domain and you can read it here.

I thought about what I would wear to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party and the answer was immediately obvious. A tea cosy hat; it is mad, it is a hat and it is a perfect fit for the grandest of occasions.

1. A tea cosy that fits your head snugly
2. A tea pot. Consider using one made of aluminium as they are easy to hack. Check your local op shop (in Australia) or Thrift Store (or whatever it is called in the rest of the world).
3. Some thick tape e.g. gaffer tape or duct tape. Optional, if you have any sharp edges.
4. Some sticky velcro dots or strips - just the hook side. Optional but they help strengthen the whole thing.
5. The tag from unused tea bag, or a used one if you aren't fussy. Optional, but the finishing touch.

I should point out that there are a few steps involved, so at this point your creation is not yet a hat.

It isn't particularly important about the shape of the teapot as we are going use only the handle and spout. Start by carefully cutting the handle and the spout from the teapot. So that you have a nice comfortable base against your head, leave a couple of centimetres around each piece to help grip the tea cosy. Safety advice: make sure the tea pot is empty :o)

If you have the suggested aluminium teapot you will find it easy to cut with tin snips or maybe a Dremel tool. No matter what you use, be mindful about sharp metal edges. We'll deal with that a little later.

How big should the "nice comfortable base" around each part be? It depends on the size and shape of your head and the size and shape of the teapot. You might need to do some panel beating to reshape the teapot, which is easier than trying to reshape your head.

The optional tape suggested in the supplies is in case you can't get the edges nice and smooth, stick it around the edges, have a look at the first image.

The velcro, if stuck to the teapot edges, will help the metal parts stick to the hat (which it isn't just yet). Of course how effective this is depends on the material the cosy is made from. Reminder, you should be using the hook side of velcro, so it grabs the cosy.

If you have really curly hair, you might like to reconsider using velcro in a hat :o)

The rest is pretty obvious, but this is an instructable, so here are the instructions.

The handle and spout go in the tea cosy (which is still not a hat) and with a bit of luck the velcro will ensure it all sticks together.

Twist and adjust the teapot pieces so that all lines up properly - it is starting to look like a hat...but don't be tempted to put it on yet.

A teapot is just a pot unless it has some tea in it, so get that tea bag, cut the string right at the bag and tie the label to the top of the cosy so it hangs in just the right spot.

Now comes the big moment.

Gather a crowd if you feel like it. Maybe start a video like for an unboxing event - this could go viral.

The tension builds, you try it on.

VOILA! It is now a hat.

Does it fit? Are there no pressure points?

There is one final step.

You may not have an invite, but with this hat you would be welcome at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party...or any party for that matter.