Hat Making

[Rosie]

I found a thread on hat making just a minute ago, accidently hit my browser and poof, it went away. Anyway, I wanted to ask this, I want to make a hat but admittedly, I'm lazy. I don't want to take millinery classes, I don't want to steam and stretch on hat blocks, can't one just sew a hat? I've searched on line and have come across all of the stretching, steaming sites but, I don't want to do that. Has anyone just sewn a hat before? Will the results be disatrous if I try? Would I still use felt? Suggestions? Thoughts?

 

[decodoll]

Yes, you can sew a hat without having to do any blocking. Vogue has rereleased quite a few vintage hat patterns as part of their Vintage Vogue line. There are also a few sellers on ebay that list copies of vintage hat patterns on a regular basis. If you're going to make a felt hat, I would recommend using fur felt skirting. If you don't want to use the fur felt, then wool felt would be your next best option. Definitely don't use the acrylic felt you find in most fabric stores. You won't end up with a hat that is worth the effort you put into it. Good luck and don't forget to post a picture of your finished hat!

 

[Rosie]

Thanks decodoll, I'll check that out now. Thanks again.

 

[Kaela]

Has anyone actually tried using these patterns? I bought one of them, and it has been sitting in my pattern box intimidating me for the last couple years. Also, I haven't found the proper wool felt, just the lousy acrylic junk!
If anybody's done these please share pictures and stories!

 

[CherryRed]

I have 2 of the Vogue patterns also. I haven't yet made them but I can't wait to. They look lovely.
I believe you can buy the wool felt online.
Try here: http://www.judithm.com/

 

[Snookie]

I've made a couple hats, one of them from a Vintage Vogue pattern. Here's the original:

(The lower right hat)

Here's mine:

It turned out OK, but it's pointy in the middle (kind of obscured by the leaf on the side). I tried to block the point out, but it wouldn't flatten quite enough. It was pretty easy to make, but I choose the one that looked the easiest.

Wearing this hat makes me feel like Robin Hood.

 

[Snookie]

Here's a hat I made for my husband, based on some of his vintage hats. It's fabric, of course, not felt.

 

[Rosie]

Thanks so much Snookie. I bought that pattern along with another Vogue, I'll post the item number when I remember. Those are great, I particularly like your husband's hat, you did a great job :eusa_clap. Was is it difficult to make? So far, I've made skirts, pocketbooks, dresses but not from patterns, I usually sew on the body. Are the patterns simple to use? Any sugestions before I begin?

Here's another few questions, if not using felt, what is another good hat material? I notice that hats are rather thickish, is that fabric layering or do I choose a thick fabric like cotton duck or canvas like material? Also, I notice some hats made from silk or silk like material but its thickish, is this silk wrapped around another material? Thanks in advance ladies.

 

[decodoll]

Rosie, the hats you're thinking of are probably fabric covering a buckram frame. You can use just about any fabric to make a hat, but depending on the desired end result it may need support of some kind from underneath.

I have quite a few of those Vogue hat patterns, but I haven't made any of them. I really prefer to block my hats for the most part. I enjoy the stretching and the steaming. Here is a picture of a buckram frame I'm working on, not covered yet of course.

And just for the fun of it, the blocked hat I finished Friday.

 

[mysterygal]

Snookie, that hat you made for your husband looks great! :eusa_clap

 

[Rosie]

Wow DecoDoll, that is fabulous :eusa_clap :eusa_clap. I really, really like that, I am so impressed.

Thanks for the tip on the buckram, after reading up on it , I thnk that will do perfectly!

This is the style of hat I am attempting to make Vogue 7600 (A and B):

You see how the brim is big and floppy? That's what I will need to attempt and I was thinking regular fabric won't be stiff enough to hold up. Also, with this style Vogue V8052 (the tilt style):

I was thinking the same thing about the brim. Once I attempt it, I will post pictures. Thanks so much!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Vintage Vogue

Most of the Vintage Vogue patterns do indeed call for buckram, including the ones that just -look- like felt.

 

[decodoll]

Thanks, Rosie

The ones with the brims in the second picture would be like the buckram and wire shape I posted. The hats in the upper picture would use crinoline most likely. Crinoline gives the fabric some body and stiffness, but not near as much as the heavier buckram.

 

[Rosie]

Crinoline? Wow, okay. Makes sense. Thanks again. I'm going to have to bug you more often, you're such a wealth of knowledge.

 

[decodoll]

Anytime. I just noticed that you are in New York! You lucky, lucky gal! You can find all the supplies you need, excepting the actual covering fabric, at Manny's Millinery on W. 38th Street.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Here's the cigarette girl hat decodoll made to go with my 1940s uniform--it's stunning and I am very pleased with it:

 

[decodoll]

Oh! You look so cute! I just love your cigarette girl outfit!

Thanks for posting the pics! It's so much fun to see people wearing my work.

 

[Rosie]

Jitterbugdoll, you look darling. :eusa_clap DecoDoll, great job.

 

[Rosie]

Anytime. I just noticed that you are in New York! You lucky, lucky gal! You can find all the supplies you need, excepting the actual covering fabric, at Manny's Millinery on W. 38th Street.

I just read this, thanks for this, I'll go over there this weekend. There are all sorts of fabric and notions stores but, I normally don't really know what to get. I get trim, etc for my dresses but when it comes to something new like this, I'm clueless and, I don't know anyone who sews or knits or does much of anything creative so I'm usually left to experiment on my own. So thanks so much, you've been a great help.

 

[decodoll]

You're welcome. And thank you for the compliment.