Hello everyone,

My name is Lesley and I am quite new to the hat world, so I'm just feeling my way about and slowly learning.

I have my own small business (making cloth dolls believe it or not!) so I'm very comfortable with a sewing machine, or needle and thread. Although I adore these marvelous creations that are steamed and blocked, I don't have any blocks at the moment, and I wondered if you knew of any sewn hat patterns that might be suitable for someone like me (a person who can sew, but doesn't have a block!)  I have attached a couple of pictures of some styles that I like, and I wondered if any experts might be able to point me in the direction of where I can find some patterns to make something similar - a basic, simple shape that I can go to town on with decorations and embellishments!  I'm not too sure where to find actual patterns for hats that are pieced together and sewn, and I wondered if someone here might know?

I am plucking up the courage to buy a little button hat block to begin, and perhaps try the cocktail hat module available here at the Hat Academy...but its nerve-wracking to tackle new materials that I've never used before.  I guess I just need to jump in!  But in the meantime, I'd be so grateful for some advice on sewn hat patterns to get the milliner in me going!

Thank you ever so much,

Lesley x