Top Hat 3D Mini Candy Cup

Diminutive fancy hat with heart ring (with individual heart overlays) 

under-rim embellishment and side panel harlequin 

contrast triangles and bands can serve as a candy “nut cup” container 

at a fancy table setting for Valentines, prom, New Year’s Eve or brunch. 

When constructed using the optional slot brim layers, 

the small name card tag can have a corner tucked in 

for a place card variation. Inverted, the hat is just the right size 

to “top off” the “Snowman 3D Up Gazer Fig” separate design 

(with or without embellishments). 

Hat cut measures approx. 2.25” tall x 3.7” brim diameter 

(holds approx. 3/4 Cup loose contents such as candy). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A hat crown

B crown top inner hexagon (with star cutout I.D.)

C crown top outer hexagon 'lid'

D main brim with hexagon opening for crown edges

E under-brim with circle opening

F optional crown triangle accent shapes (6)

G bands: wide base with narrower overlays (3 ea.)

H hearts ring      I individual heart overlays (5-6)

J special individual heart with slot cutout

K place card tag with hole reinforcement accent

2. Prepare the crown shape by bending back on vertical\

perforation lines and top edge tabs, forward on

bottom edge tabs.

3. If desired, position and attach the triangle "harlequin"

accent shapes into each section of the crown,

with bottom wide edge aligned at tab perf line.

4. Form the crown into a tube to bring the side edges

together, overlapping the straight edge across the tab

to align at perforation line, and glue the seam.

5. Bend the crown top tabs straight up or outward

to allow the inner hexagon (with star symbol) to fit . . .

. . .inside the tube to fit at the tabs' angles, then . . . 

. . . apply adhesive to the underside of top tabs . . .

. . . and bend them down at perpendicular angle

to attach to the top of the inner hexagon.

NOTE: the best way to apply pressure to the seam

edges is to invert the crown assembly top down

on flat surface and reach fingertips inside to press

along each of the tab-to-hexagon seams until secure.

6. Position and attach the outer hexagon 'lid'

to conceal the construction.

7. At crown bottom, bend the tabs straight down

or slightly inward to allow hexagon opening brim ring

to slip over them, then . . . 

. . . bend tabs outward and glue in place to

the underside of the brim.

NOTE: one of the best ways to do this is to

invert the brim (tabs side down) on top of flat surface

then apply fingertip pressure all around each

angle next to the crown until seams are secure.

8. Prepare all hand band double strips by bending

slightly at the center perforations.

9. Center and attach the narrower contrast band

strip over the top of the wider main band, with bends

aligned and stacked.

10. Trim the narrow contrast bands even with

the wider bands at each end.

11. Position the hat band assembly at the base

of the crown with the bend seated at a crown panel

angle, and take note of any extra length at sides

of the panels that band halves cross.

If necessary, trim any slight excess, but take care

NOT to trim off too much!

Glue band in place, then repeat for the other 2 sections.

12. These instructions will proceed to show how to

create the place card version, with brim slot.

Here are the shapes that will be used for the hearts

ring decoration. NOTE that one of the contrast heart overlays

includes the partial slot cut out.

Position and attach the slot-cut out heart over

the heart repeat where slot cut out will align.

Then, alternate positions to place and attach

the remaining 5 contrast hearts.

13. Position the hearts ring assembly, centered with

equal margin between hearts' top/inner edge and

circle opening, taking care to line up and match

the slot cut out, then . . . 

. . . glue in place.

14. Attach the punch hole reinforcement ring

at the hole of place card.

15. Prepare to glue the under brim to the bottom

of the hat assembly by checking to see where

the name tag will tuck into the slot - with the affected

space needing to be left UNGLUED.  

With the name tag inserted into the slot, turn

brim to view backside and mark around the edge

of place card corner, marking the area between markings

and slot that will need to be kept "glue-less".

16. On underside of brim, apply glue everywhere in

usual manner, except don't apply glue in marked area.

Then . . . 

. . . position and attach underbrim to bottom of

hat assembly. NOTE: it may be helpful to place

brim face down on flat surface then place flat heavy

objects all around brim to help press it flat, to

avoid warping and curling of brim layers, until dry.

17. To finish the place card top hat, prepare the tag

with hand printed or printer-printer (cut and print, etc.)

name, then tuck corner into slot. If needed, use a little

temp double stick tape, glue dot, etc. to keep it flat.

Here is the straight on view . . .

. . . and here is the upright sitting view.

18. If desired, fill cup with candy, nuts, other loose

treats, etc.