Help from the experieced

[Andy Sharp]

This is my first post, please be gentle. I have just started making hats. I have learnt from you tube and from error mainly with felt. i am currently experimenting with synthetic straw (summers approaching). I have blocked a patterned synthetic straw hat to make into a going out for a drink summer hat, its looking good. the only problem I am having is with the brim, its very thin. I want to bulk it up with a different plain cloth fabric and an insert on the underside. I'm worried about the weight affecting the brim, I live in England where even in summer it can rain so I'm worried about cardboard, I want to be able to shape still.. cheers

 

[johnnycanuck]

I think what you are looking for is interfacing. It’s a fabric that you can buy in varying degrees of stiffness. Depending they type you either sew or iron it into the fabric to add weight and stiffness to help hold fabrics shape. Look it up in fabric stores. You will see what I mean.

hope that helps
Johnny

 

[Andy Sharp]

I think what you are looking for is interfacing. It’s a fabric that you can buy in varying degrees of stiffness. Depending they type you either sew or iron it into the fabric to add weight and stiffness to help hold fabrics shape. Look it up in fabric stores. You will see what I mean.

hope that helps
Johnny

thank you this answers my question brilliantly

 

[belfastboy]

This is my first post, please be gentle. I have just started making hats. I have learnt from you tube and from error mainly with felt. i am currently experimenting with synthetic straw (summers approaching). I have blocked a patterned synthetic straw hat to make into a going out for a drink summer hat, its looking good. the only problem I am having is with the brim, its very thin. I want to bulk it up with a different plain cloth fabric and an insert on the underside. I'm worried about the weight affecting the brim, I live in England where even in summer it can rain so I'm worried about cardboard, I want to be able to shape still.. cheers View attachment 344503

You may know of them already but I buy from The Trimmings Company in the UK. This autumn they will have back in stock good quality fur felt seconds that I have used as practice felts. They are a great bargain.

 

[Andy Sharp]

You may know of them already but I buy from The Trimmings Company in the UK. This autumn they will have back in stock good quality fur felt seconds that I have used as practice felts. They are a great bargain.

thank you will check it out right now