Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

[T Jones]

I am just now getting into millinery. Appreciate all the input in this thread, it's quite helpful. Any suggestions on vendors to buy blocks, tools, and supplies? Thanks

I would also recommend one of our own fellow Loungers, Rockwater, to make blocks for you. Here's one he made for me from Mahogany, and I think he's currently making a block for another Lounger...

It's such a nice looking block that I think I'd rather spend more time staring at it than using it.

For some nice basic hat tools, check out Rick, (another fellow Lounger), at the Phoenix Hat Company. He made up a real nice Rounding Jack for me that I absolutely love using...and it does a spot on job.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I would also recommend one of our own fellow Loungers, Rockwater, to make blocks for you. Here's one he made for me from Mahogany, and I think he's currently making a block for another Lounger...

It's such a nice looking block that I think I'd rather spend more time staring at it than using it.

For some nice basic hat tools, check out Rick, (another fellow Lounger), at the Phoenix Hat Company. He made up a real nice Rounding Jack for me that I absolutely love using...and it does a spot on job.

I didn’t know that @Rockwater was making blocks for sale. Yours looks perfect!


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[T Jones]

I didn’t know that @Rockwater was making blocks for sale. Yours looks perfect!


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Thank you buddy. Yeah, he's making them. I can tell you that the one he made for me is "show piece quality". He did a great job on it. I really like it. Anybody who's interested in one should shoot him a PM. I'll definitely vouch for his work.

 

[JessieJames]

Hi,

I'm getting some hats soon and want to be able to reshape them.
I'm a 55cm head size approx.

I'm wondering if anyone has used a wig hat (it's styrofoam or polyurethane base with a canvas top) and if that would work. I assume I'd get 1 size down like a 21 inch (53.34cm) so that I could use it with the sweatband and liner in.

Just to get the creases out and shape it and use the head to do a teardrop. I don't think the seams in the canvas of the wig stand would cause interference or any mishape? Wanted to know if anyone has used this or if it's advised not to.

This one I was looking at is polyurethane which is stronger than the styrofoam, and it comes with a clamp so I can secure it to a table.

Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-...qid=1557075869&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&th=1

 

[Hat and Rehat]

Hi,

I'm getting some hats soon and want to be able to reshape them.
I'm a 55cm head size approx.

I'm wondering if anyone has used a wig hat (it's styrofoam or polyurethane base with a canvas top) and if that would work. I assume I'd get 1 size down like a 21 inch (53.34cm) so that I could use it with the sweatband and liner in.

Just to get the creases out and shape it and use the head to do a teardrop. I don't think the seams in the canvas of the wig stand would cause interference or any mishape? Wanted to know if anyone has used this or if it's advised not to.

This one I was looking at is polyurethane which is stronger than the styrofoam, and it comes with a clamp so I can secure it to a table.

Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-...qid=1557075869&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&th=1

I have tried the construction foam route, with bad results. I've been experimenting, and several coats of something hard seems to help. Polyurethane, maybe.

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[JessieJames]

I have tried the construction foam route, with bad results. I've been experimenting, and several coats of something hard seems to help. Polyurethane, maybe.

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I wouldn't be making it, I'd be buying it.

The one I'm looking at is polyurethane based.
I guess it would work? I'm just wondering about the whole canvas part and the seems, might have to put saran wrap over it so slides more?

 

[Armando]

I would also recommend one of our own fellow Loungers, Rockwater, to make blocks for you. Here's one he made for me from Mahogany, and I think he's currently making a block for another Lounger...

It's such a nice looking block that I think I'd rather spend more time staring at it than using it.

For some nice basic hat tools, check out Rick, (another fellow Lounger), at the Phoenix Hat Company. He made up a real nice Rounding Jack for me that I absolutely love using...and it does a spot on job.

Nice work. Thank you. I'll check it out.

 

[Armando]

I have purchased 15 flanges and one block from Mark (Hatter's Supply House) and can vouch for the quality of work as well as his customer service. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again from him.

Thanks, Mustang Mike. How do I measure to know the block size?

 

[T Jones]

Hi,

I'm getting some hats soon and want to be able to reshape them.
I'm a 55cm head size approx.

I'm wondering if anyone has used a wig hat (it's styrofoam or polyurethane base with a canvas top) and if that would work. I assume I'd get 1 size down like a 21 inch (53.34cm) so that I could use it with the sweatband and liner in.

Just to get the creases out and shape it and use the head to do a teardrop. I don't think the seams in the canvas of the wig stand would cause interference or any mishape? Wanted to know if anyone has used this or if it's advised not to.

This one I was looking at is polyurethane which is stronger than the styrofoam, and it comes with a clamp so I can secure it to a table.

Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-...qid=1557075869&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&th=1

If that's all your're going to do with your hats then I'd go this route and use a plastic straight sided dome block from Hat Shapers. I have a few vintage wooden hat blocks but this straight sided dome is my go to block and has become my favorite open crown form. I get a lot of nice creases out of this one.
It's actually the one that I use most when I do complete tear downs for conversions and refurbs. It'll work out perfect for you if all you're using it for is your own personal and occasional use. Anything more than that, then you'd want to go to a wooden block for its durability, and I can recommend a fellow Lounger, (Rockwater). who can make up a real nice one for you...
http://www.hatshapers.com/Product Pages/Straight_Sided_Dome.htm

 

[JessieJames]

If that's all your're going to do with your hats then I'd go this route and use a plastic straight sided dome block from Hat Shapers. I have a few vintage wooden hat blocks but this straight sided dome is my go to block and has become my favorite open crown form. I get a lot of nice creases out of this one.
It's actually the one that I use most when I do complete tear downs for conversions and refurbs. It'll work out perfect for you if all you're using it for is your own personal and occasional use. Anything more than that, then you'd want to go to a wooden block for its durability, and I can recommend a fellow Lounger, (Rockwater). who can make up a real nice one for you...
http://www.hatshapers.com/Product Pages/Straight_Sided_Dome.htm

ya that's perfect! It's thick plastic?
except the smallest size is still too big for me

 

[humanshoes]

ya that's perfect! It's thick plastic?
except the smallest size is still too big for me

I might recommend that you give them a call to see if they will make you one in your size. They did a special order for me a while back and I got just what I was looking for.

 

[JessieJames]

I might recommend that you give them a call to see if they will make you one in your size. They did a special order for me a while back and I got just what I was looking for.

oh nice I shall!

In that case should I get a 21.5" = 54.6cm if my head size is usually a 55cm (and some hats are a bit bigger)? that way I can use it to shape hats, liner and sweatband in, I'd almost be tempted with a 21" even, I feel it doesn't have to be an exact fit to get the creases out.

 

[T Jones]

oh nice I shall!

In that case should I get a 21.5" = 54.6cm if my head size is usually a 55cm (and some hats are a bit bigger)? that way I can use it to shape hats, liner and sweatband in, I'd almost be tempted with a 21" even, I feel it doesn't have to be an exact fit to get the creases out.

I second what Rick said. They made up a couple of special orders for me, too.

 

[T Jones]

oh nice I shall!

In that case should I get a 21.5" = 54.6cm if my head size is usually a 55cm (and some hats are a bit bigger)? that way I can use it to shape hats, liner and sweatband in, I'd almost be tempted with a 21" even, I feel it doesn't have to be an exact fit to get the creases out.

If you're reblocking with the sweat band in, get one that's your actual hat size, (your actual head measurement, that is). If you're reblocking with the sweat band out of the hat, get one that's a 1/4 inch larger than your head measurement.

 

[humanshoes]

If you're reblocking with the sweat band in, get one that's your actual hat size, (your actual head measurement, that is). If you're reblocking with the sweat band out of the hat, get one that's a 1/4 inch larger than your head measurement.

Now I'll second what Terry said.

 

[Hat and Rehat]

I am a disabled veteran and I am looking for a trade to learn to get me out of my current job working in a factory. It's just too hard on me now. I've always had a fascination with mens hats, especially the Fedora. Would love to learn how to make them and turn it into a profession.

If there are any hat makers here that can offer some advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

Welcome, Hugh. I'm a 61 year old carpenter with bad shoulders that registered here a few months ago with similar aspirations.
Before I offer advice, I'll pass on excellent advise I was given, but have not heeded so far.
If there's a hatter in your area, go meet him. Ask if there's anything you can do to help in his shop while you watch what he does. Maybe he'll even take you on as an aprentice. That would probably be the fastest way to learn. He could stop your mistakes before you ran them into the wrong endzone.
I say, read this book;
https://www.etsy.com/listing/641352...a?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-4&pro=1

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[Hat and Rehat]

Yes, been learning as much as I can from the internet, but you can only learn so much before you have to start asking questions about specifics. I guess I am misunderstanding some of the videos I've watched on youtube. I am not assuming it's an easy skilled trade/craft, but some of those guys make it look a lot easier than I expected once the skill is learned with just a few pieces of equipment.

YouTube can only take you so far. A lot of what you find is more about promoting a particular hatmaker and their business. Others are about manufacture at a level you aren't aiming at.
One of the best step by step video I saw there was about a woman hatter, a widow, in a small town where most of her work was Western hats. I wish i could remember the name. She and her husband started making hats later in life. I believe he was broken down from years of rodeo.
They bought a hat business after being mentored by the hatter.
There's a video here also on YouTube of Art Fawcett producing a hat, step by step. It's great, but my search parameters must have been bad. I never ran across it drifting around YouTube.

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[Hat and Rehat]

I'm not entirely certain of the hat making process, but I believe burning the hat is part of it. I believe that's what OP is referring to.

Only dark hats, historically.

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[T Jones]

Welcome, Hugh. I'm a 61 year old carpenter with bad shoulders that registered here a few months ago with similar aspirations.
Before I offer advice, I'll pass on excellent advise I was given, but have not heeded so far.
If there's a hatter in your area, go meet him. Ask if there's anything you can do to help in his shop while you watch what he does. Maybe he'll even take you on as an aprentice. That would probably be the fastest way to learn. He could stop your mistakes before you ran them into the wrong endzone.
I say, read this book;
https://www.etsy.com/listing/641352...a?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-4&pro=1

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I think the post you're responding to was made in July of 2011. Then again, nothing wrong with bumping a thread that may have some useful information.

 

[Hat and Rehat]

exactly, its a method used to burn the extra hair after brushing.
Im really just looking to know what is used to make that process happen

I think it should just burn, and smell bad. Mainly very dark hats got that treatment, and it was after pouncing, which raises a lot more "fuzz" than brushing.
It's not a universal practice, and probably not very common anymore.
Foucault is a bit of a showman. I think he dies it more because of that than any great benefit his hats derive.

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