Making Felt Hats

Learn how to make and embellish six fabulous felt hats.

'A chic hat elevates any outfit and always draws compliments. I treasure my unique Bobbi Heath hat and now, thanks to her book, I can create my own from scratch at home. Bobbi is a natural teacher, she provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions and makes millinery fun.' - Susanna Brown - Curator, Victoria and Albert Museum

A stunning felt hat is the perfect accessory for any occasion from an everyday addition to your winter wardrobe to a head-turning statement piece for a special occasion. In this practical and informative guide, expert milliner Bobbi Heath shows you how to make felt hats in six different styles to perfectly complement any outfit, including a fabulous floppy hat, cloche, bucket, pill box, cap and button.

Bobbi starts with the basics of how to measure your head, then talks you through the secrets of stiffening the felt, using steam to mould your fabric, and blocking. Learn invaluable stitching and edging techniques, then have fun experimenting with trimmings to make your hat unique.

With a foreword by Dillion Wallwork, a London hat designer and prominent milliner for over 30 years, this practical book will appeal to all hat lovers and anyone looking for an easy introduction to the art of millinery.

Book Contents

Foreword by Dillon Wallwork 6
Introduction 8
Materials 12
Tools 16
Basic techniques 20
PROJECTS 30

Getting started 32
Twiggy:Floppy hat34
Belle:Cloche hat42
Liza:Bucket hat46
Jackie:Pillbox56
Heidi:Cap62
Kate:Button hat68

Trimmings 76
Care and storage 77
Afterword 78
Index 80