Hat Making

I suppose it would only be natural that someone so gifted in making ribbon flowers would also make hats. After all, hats create a great palette for all sorts of artistic expression! Ribbon flowers and trims, feathers, ruffles, and tulle can all work together for a stunning effect! So, in addition to silk and satin flowers and trims, Deb shared some of the hats she made. She started by showing us her (antique) wooden hat blocks. Their surfaces were worn to a beautiful patina from use over time. They are the form that heavy buckram is placed over to create the unique shape of a desired hat. The buckram is coated with a vegetable sizing and becomes pliable when wet. It can be molded, formed, tucked, and darted to create the shape the designer wants. After it dries it becomes very stiff and makes a solid foundation for the rest of the hat. At that point, many beautiful fabrics and trims can be stitched on. Deb even showed us how she used builder's Tyvek (high density polyethylene fibers) as a material for some of her hats. They meld, shape, and bond so beautifully when mixed with tulle, laces, and textiles. From fascinators to fedoras, Deb made hat-making look simple yet elegant and fun!

Click on the photo montage for a larger view.