Beginners Hat Making Tool Kit: We sell a beginners tool kit which includes all of the hard-to-find, essential tools you’ll need to get started. Below we have outlined the key tools and equipment.

Tools & equipment: Awl, blocking pins, berry pins, combination pliers, elastic, needles, paint brush, PVA glue, pressing cloth, scissors, sewing thread, tape measure, thimble, thread clippers, wonder clips, waterproof apron, water spray bottle, hat blocks.

Other/Optional equipment: Sewing Machine, Jiffy hat steamer, Glue gun, Brass flower making tools, iron, ironing board.

We have a suppliers list within our online courses. For more information and to view our online courses click here.

A hat block, also known as a hat form, is a wooden block used by Milliners to mould materials over the top to produce a hat. They come in different shapes and sizes and will determine the style of hat you create.

We sell hat block tool kits on our online supply shop.

You can also order hat blocks from Hat Blocks Australia online.

Straw: The most popular straw used in hat making is Parisisal. They are handwoven with sisal straw and are available in unfinished Hoods (cone shape) and Capelines (wide brim shape). Parisial straw is dampened and pulled down over the top of hat blocks to form the hat shape.

Felt: Felt hat bodies come in Hoods (cone shape) or Capelines (wide brim shape) and are available in Wool Felt, Fur Felt or Velour Felt. The felt is steamed and pulled down over the top of hat blocks to form the hat shape.

Sinamay: A staple material to use in hat making, Sinamay is a loosely woven fabric made from abaca fibres that is available by the metre in a variety of colours. Like parisisal straw, sinamay is also dampened and pulled down over the top of hat blocks to form the hat shape.

There are a variety of stiffeners used in the hat making process and they will differ from County to Country. They come in Water based, Solvent based and Powder form and are they brushed onto materials during the hat making process to make them firmer.

We use PVA wood glue (diluted with water) and solvent based (chemical) stiffeners during the hat making process.

Trimmings are the additional adornments that can be added to headwear such as feathers, flowers, veiling, braids, ribbons etc.

For more information on trims and materials, please visit our hat glossary.

We have a suppliers list within our online courses. For more information and to view our online courses click here.

Australian Suppliers:

House of Adorn

Millinery Online

UK Suppliers:

Petershams

Baxter & Hart

Fred Ruegger

The Trimming Company

Millinery Warehouse

USA Suppliers:

Hat Supply

Manhatco

Spain:

Artipistilos

Netherlands:

Plooij

Germany:

Kopka

We have a suppliers list within our online courses. For more information and to view our online courses click here.