Turn a Plain Top Hat into a Steampunk Masterpiece

One of the first thing anyone learns about Steampunk is that the costumes are part of the fun. But you don’t have to shell out a lot money to have one you can be proud of. Here’s how I turned a $24 top hat into a genre hit with things I already had or got from the scrapbook section of my local craft store.

The hat pictured above is the plain hat I started with.

Here's a list of what I used to make it special:
3 yards black tulle
Various fabric flower pins
2 pieces of rhinestone gathered ribbon
2 decorative head pins (used with the smaller piece of chain to form ornament pictured on the back of the hat)
12 inches chain (cut into two separate pieces)
Top hat charm
straight pins.

Here's a picture (below) of the back of the hat:

I used straight pins to attach all the elements to the hat. That way I can change it any time I wish.

I'd love to know what fun steampunk accessories you've come up with!