The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Bionic on August 19, 2012, 08:19:35 pm

Title: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Bionic on August 19, 2012, 08:19:35 pm: When I eventually get round to felting I would like to try to make a felted hat but think I would need a hat block. Has anyone ever used one and if so any suggestions where to get one?
Wooden ones are very expensive.
Sally
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Fleecewife on August 19, 2012, 11:47:06 pm: I think you can get polystyrene ones from craft - ie spinning/felting - suppliers. They do feet too for slippers. I think Scottish Fibres has, or had, them, but anyone should.
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: smithycraft on August 20, 2012, 06:50:17 am: I make felted hats and I have a polystyrene head which I use to display them. They are not much good for shaping as the neck snaps easily - mine is now glued.

What I have found useful is an upturned demijohn which I stand in a pot.
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Bionic on August 20, 2012, 11:54:02 am: I have looked at the polystyrene heads and was thinking that they might not be up to the job.
This is polystyrene but looks more like the sort of thing I want. The only problem is its in Poland.
I will keep looking for a wooden one but if I can't find one might bite the bullet and try the Polish one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110930703164?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110930703164?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: smithycraft on August 20, 2012, 01:30:34 pm: How about this one:

http://www.gilliangladrag.co.uk/products/hat-blocks-slipper-lasts/hat-block-for-feltmaking-6162.html (http://www.gilliangladrag.co.uk/products/hat-blocks-slipper-lasts/hat-block-for-feltmaking-6162.html)
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Bionic on August 20, 2012, 02:25:03 pm: :thumbsup: Thats exactly what I want. I trawled the internet for hours yesterday and couldn't find anything (other than Poland). I am going to order one. Thankyou so much. I might order slipper lasts too :excited:
Sally
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: smithycraft on August 20, 2012, 02:45:39 pm: Let me know if they're any good - I might get one myself.
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Moleskins on August 20, 2012, 04:45:10 pm: I wonder if anyone has ever nicked one of those dummies you get in shops and used the head off that :innocent:
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Fleecewife on August 20, 2012, 05:00:56 pm: Quote from: smithycraft on August 20, 2012, 01:30:34 pm
How about this one:

http://www.gilliangladrag.co.uk/products/hat-blocks-slipper-lasts/hat-block-for-feltmaking-6162.html (http://www.gilliangladrag.co.uk/products/hat-blocks-slipper-lasts/hat-block-for-feltmaking-6162.html)

That looks just the biz - and I like the illustrated hat too :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: Bionic on August 20, 2012, 08:07:42 pm: I ended up finding a vintage wooden one on ebay that wasn't too expensive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221104611389?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221104611389?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
Title: Re: Anyone used a milliners hat block?
Post by: smithycraft on August 20, 2012, 08:23:26 pm: That's excellent. Personally I wasn't convinced that a polystyrene one would be strong enough for the job.