Knight Helm 3d Child's Hat

Conjure up some make-believe play 

as you create this small child-size knight's helmet. 

Features upper structure with nose piece that cradles 

the three (or more) plume crest at top 

and nose plate extension at bottom, 

attached side 'neck plate' structures, 

face grille that connects at sides with brads. 

Back strap overlaps with three punches on each side. 

Measures approx. 7" tall (without feathers) x 8" deep x 5.25" wide. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main helmet shape     B eye hole accents
C & D side panels with accent shapes
E grille with accent shapes
F crest build up with accent & nose reinforcement
G feather crest collar   H three feather shapes

2. Prepare the crest collar by bending back

on vertical and horizontal perforation lines,

bending bottom tabs outward.

(NOTE that the top tabs in the final design

are shorter.) 

3. Fold the top tabs to the back and glue in place.

4. Form the collar into a tube to overlap the
straight side edge at the opposite side tab
perforation line, and glue in place.

5. Prepare the collar shape by adjusting its overall shape

to be a diamond.

Insert the bottom tabs into slots on the top of

the main helmet shape . . .

. . . then on the inside bend the tabs outward
and glue in place.

6. Prepare the side panels by layering on the

accent shapes, matching up cut edges

where they align, as shown.

7. Position (dry fit) the side panel onto the side of the

main shape, left and right panels on the appropriate

side of assembly. NOTE that the punch holes

of each should line up, and the dash cut near the

back edge should line up even with the main

helmet shape (indicated here by pointing right finger).

Take note or mark the area of the panel that

will attach to the main helmet shape (excluding

the very back of the accent shape which remains free.

Apply adhesive to the backside of panel where it

will attach, then re-position according to the dry fit,

and attach in place.

8. Form the main helmet shape/assembly into its
hat form by bringing the side edge and front edge
together, side edge to overlap the perforation of
the bent-back tab. Glue in place. Repeat for
opposite side.
Also overlap the back band and attach with brad(s).

9. Prepare the crest build up shape by bending

back on most perforation lines, except nose end

extension at bottom, and side tabs which fold forward.

10. Bring the front center area side straight edges
to overlap the side "boxing" at the flange perforation,
and glue in place. Repeat for each segment of the edge,
and for both left and right sides.

11. Attach the back segment center portion straight
edge along the back side flange, for both left
and right sides.

12. Prepare the crest accent shape by bending the
top two perforation lines back, bottom perf line forward.
Position and attach to the front of the crest, lining up
the punch holes of each.

Also prepare the nose reinforcement shape

by bending the top portion back.

Once in place, attach decoration brads

through punch holes.

Position and attach on the backside

of the crest at nose extension.

13. Insert crest tabs into the main helmet shape,
beginning at the front . . .

. . . then sliding the back diamond cutout over the

collar extension as the back tabs are inserted.

On the underside of the helmet main shape,

bend the tabs outward and glue in place.

14. Prepare the grill shape by bending back on all

perforation lines.

Position (offset) the lower two grille shapes

and the side accent shapes while the crest

is flat.

15. Bend the lower front to overlap the straight

edge at the adjacent tab/flange perforation line

and join this center front seam.

16. Bring the side straight edges to overlap
adjacent tab flange and glue side seams.

17. Bend the side extension of upper accent shapes

back, then position and attach to the main grille.

18. Position the grille onto the front of the main helmet

assembly, with the side punched extensions overlapping

the lower sides of helmet. Line up punch holes,

then attach in place using a regular size brad.

19. Prepare the feather shapes by bending and

"ruffling" the tine edges as desired.

Layer the feathers (tallest as center, suggested)

and line up the stem ends as much as possible.

Suggestion: to give the feathers more dimension,

consider using clear foam squares near the base

of the feather shape between the layers.

Glue the stems together, and trim to match the

center feather stem side and bottom edges, if necessary.

LEAVE the very ends of stems unattached, so

they can be bent back as attachment tabs.

20. Insert the stem end through the collar and

also through the main helmet slot.

On the inside of helmet, bend one of two stems

back in one direction, remaining stem(s)

back in opposite direction, and glue in place

to inside of helmet.

Here are two views of the completed helmet:

front and . . .

. . . side back.