I dunno about makin it yerself but if ye be lookin for a great hat to buy, I would check out Captjackspiratehats.com I just purchased a hat from The MacKay and was not dissapointed.
I got me a grand new chest the other day from me local Hobby Lobby, if ye be havin one in yer area ye should check it out, mine is about 2 foot high, by two foot deep, by four foot wide. Twas around 65$ dollars on sale.