"Thankyou Elaine!"
Laura's Discussions
How to finish felt brim?
I've been experimenting with felt (am yet to find a good stiffener that leaves no residue but I remain hopeful!)My brim blocks dont have a string groove so I've been finishing with petersham ribbon.…Continue
Started Feb 5, 2021
roll up starw hat?
1 Reply
Any idea what material I should be looking for to make a roll up hat for the summer? one that cane be taken in a suitcase etc and will spring back into shape?Thanks!Continue
Tags: travel, capeline, paper, hat, panama
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jorge Ceme Joza May 12, 2020.
Blocking felt indents on trilby/fedora crown
4 Replies
How do you block felt over the indents of a fedora or trilby crown block?I have pinned the felt into these indents previously but it leaves a pin hold mark in the felt. I have seen pressers used for…Continue
Tags: block, how, to, presser, blocking
Started this discussion. Last reply by Darryll Osborne Feb 26, 2021.
Laura's Page
Activity
"Hi Laura,
By far the best way to block the indents of a Fedora block is with a specially made presser. It forces the felt or straw into the block and keeps it there while drying.
The best way to get a presser to suit your existing block is usually…"
How to finish felt brim?
I've been experimenting with felt (am yet to find a good stiffener that leaves no residue but I remain hopeful!)My brim blocks dont have a string groove so I've been finishing with petersham ribbon. Is there a knack to creating a turned under brim with felt?Any advice would be much appreciated!See More
Panama Toquilla straw
Hi, can anyone recommend where to buy panama/toquilla straw to make summer hats from? Ideally after white and natural colours, UK if possible! Would love if anyone could point me in the right direction! Thanks See More
"Hello I recommend you to work with Panama hats, preferably in natural color, it can be Cuenca or Montecristi, 10 wpi and up. I do not recommend you in colors because to make effect the ink, generally is used the peroxide that makes it fragile,…"
Blocking felt indents on trilby/fedora crown
How do you block felt over the indents of a fedora or trilby crown block?I have pinned the felt into these indents previously but it leaves a pin hold mark in the felt. I have seen pressers used for saucer hats and wondered if this was a good idea and where I could get one/ improvise with household items!Thanks!See More
"Dear Laura,
Making a summer boater for taking on holidays sounds like a great idea! Parisisals can be a bit flimsy but you can try extra stiffener and wiring the brim to give it extra strength. Alternatively, you can try other types of straws…"
Straw for summer hat
I've made a few boater hats and perching boaters out of parasisal straw which is great for races etc.I want to make myself a summer boater for taking on holiday and was wondering what the best straw to use would be? Parasisal seems a bit flimsy if I was to take my hat to the beach etc.!any thoughts would be great!See More
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- www.laurajamesmillinery.com
- @laurajamesmillinery
Comment Wall (1 comment)
Elaine Mergard said…
Welcome to Hat Academy Laura. We hope you find the community inspiring, millinery is a wonderful creative art and in huge demand currently. We are committed to helping you add to your skills and any questions please message me.
To make the most of Hat Academy remember to read through the Welcome Page.
Enjoy, Elaine.
