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My first ever How-to!! XD
I was the mad hatter for Halloween this year and I only had $10 dollar budget. The coat I got when I was 14 from a thrift store because I was the Fiddler in a play. The blouse and vest were my mother's from college and the skirt is an old broomstick with a petticoat underneath. The only things I actually had to buy was the petticoat and the black hose. (I made the top hat using directions I found here, Can't remember who posted it though!) Please enjoy! XD

Posted by Phoebe C. from Kansas City, Missouri, United States • Published 3rd November 2010

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Step 1
First, the Top hat. As I said I used directions I found here, but I can't remember who posted them. I made it using a plastic cup and cardboard. It worked very well although it was a little bit heavy when I attached it to a head-band. I had to use bobby-pins to keep it up. I made the cards out of manila file folders and freehanded the design.
Step 2
The most complicated thing I made for this costume was the jacket. I already had it, but it had been torn up to make me look poor for a play and was in no condition to use as a costume.
Step 3
First I worked on the tails, which were very shredded and needed much TLC. I did this by adding tassels.

To add the tassels start by laying it in the position. (you also need to finish your edges before you sew. since mine were already finished so I didn't have to.)
Step 4
Start by folding one corner of your tail up and over the tassel's string. then pin it in place. Repeat with the other side. Further position your tassel and then pin where the string is to prevent further movement. Repeat with other tail.
Step 5
Depending on the fabric you may have to hand sew. My jacket was tweed and barely fit into my sewing machine. You'll want to sew strait up the middle of your tail. This will ensure that the tassel is sewn down. Repeat on both tails.

(also depending on your fabric, the thread may show. Tweed is thick enough so you couldn't see the thread from the front.)

You now have tasseled tails!! XD
Step 6
Next, the torn bits. I didn't want to just sew them up because it might mess-up the structure. So I folded fabric and sandwiched it between the seams.

I matched my fabric to that of my top hat so I had some coordination.

To get the scrunched look, Cut a strip of fabric twice as wide and twice as long as your rip. Then gently fold and pin it between your seams. sew down. repeat this for all of the rips.
Step 7
Your jacket is almost done!! As you cans see from my first picture, my sleeves were severely torn. For time's sake, I just surged the edges. But you may want to actually hem them.

After you finish the edges, you're done!!
Step 8
The last part of the out-fit I needed was the skirt. I had bought the petticoat intending to wear it buy its-self. It was only then that I realized it was entirely too short!
Step 9
Not to worry though, I found a solution! I had found this old broom stick skirt laying in my scrap pile. So I cut it off so it hit about 3-4 inches below the petticoat.
Step 10
Put it together and your'e done!! I'll be posting another tutitorial on how I did my hair/make up soon!! XD

ENJOY!!!