Learn How To Make Hats Online | Hat Academy Millinery Courses

Flat cap sizing tape.

2026-02-27T21:30:53.160Z

When sewing flat caps, I see makers using what I thought was "stay tape" inside the headband to retain the size as this tape does not stretch. I bought Dritz stay tape but that is not what I need as it is very stretchy. In an old flat cap I disassembled it has this non-stretch tape shown in the attached image. Is this available? Are there any suggestions on alternatives?

Brim block help

2026-01-25T09:26:00.426Z

Hello All

I have this lovely brim block that I am hoping to learn with however it has these pins in the centre which are not on any of the videos that I have seen yet.

Can someone please explain how I’m meant to block with these in the centre? Do I stretch the sinamay over the top?

Thanks in advance!…

Utility Hat Block

2025-11-07T16:20:23.712Z

Hello All,

I recently purchased a new balsa wood utility hat block. I would love to get some insight on the many uses for this block given this is all I have for now. I noticed that the front is smooth while the back has an inward dip resembling the back of the head.

Thanks.

K-

Dying burnt Ostrich feathers white

2025-10-20T02:47:54.377Z

Hi,

Do you know if there's a dye to dye burnt ostrich feathers white? Obviously after the bleaching process for burnig they're creamy.

I've tried to spray paint them with Montana Gold snow but did'nt look so great.

I'd appreciate any hints or tips as I'm making a hat for a client who is going to Derby day.

Kind Regards

Jo Hunter

Help me identify whether this label indicates the hat’s year or not

2025-10-10T01:57:27.048Z

It has been almost a year since I purchased, through eBay, a Bowler hat from the renowned hatter Lincoln Bennett & Co, from a trusted seller. In the listing, the seller stated that the hat most likely dated from the 1920s to the 1940s.

I bought it keeping that information in mind; however, the more I examined and inspected it, the more I began to notice certain inconsistencies — perhaps due to my limited knowledge of the subject. Inside the hat, on the leather sweatband, there is an inscription that reads: “By Appointment of Her Majesty the Queen.” At first, I did not pay much attention to it, but later I realised that it could not possibly refer to a queen reigning during the 1920s–1940s, since the only two queens to whom such a phrase could apply would be Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, neither of whom reigned during that period (assuming, of course, that the inscription refers to the reigning monarch and not a queen consort).

Therefore, I supposed that the hat might be from a later period — perhaps somewhere between the 1950s and the 1970s. The mystery might have ended there, had it not been for a recent discovery: beneath the leather sweatband I found a label I had not noticed before. I shall include a photograph of this label as evidence.

What I find curious about it is that it not only shows the size (7 1/8), colour, and possibly the model of the hat, but it also appears to have a number printed at the bottom — 1888. At first glance, it seems to suggest a year, yet I am by no means an expert, so I cannot confirm that with certainty. I merely infer it from the number itself, which would make the “By Appointment of Her Majesty the Queen” inscription more plausible if it were referring to Queen Victoria. Nonetheless, I find the hat’s overall shape somewhat inconsistent with that particular era, which leaves me uncertain.

After sharing all of this background, I would like to kindly request some assistance in interpreting the information printed on the label, and hopefully, in determining a more accurate date for this hat.

Many thanks in advance for your time and support. This is my first post, and I am very much looking forward to learning from the knowledge and experience of others.

Greetings from Mexico.

HELP ! Can i make my parasisal red headpiece a little more ‘flame red’?

2025-07-23T20:28:59.707Z

I have a fabulous parasisal headpiece, it is is to go with an EmiliaWickstead dress that is more of an orangey-red than it is red (but it’s not orange)

Is is possible to paint a dye on ( yellow?) on to the piece which might just tip it into being a little more orange red, but i don’t want to lose that ‘sheen’ you have on a new hat.

As I’m a beginner I’m very happy to take to an expert milliner if it’s possible to do this.

PS I’ve shown the dress/hat combo to friends who all say ‘it’s not identical but it’ll do’. It’s my son’s wedding so I want it to be perfect !

Supplies for Sophie Allport Veiled Percher Course

2025-07-11T13:45:16.812Z

Hi there,

Would love details of the hand held steamer Sophie uses on this lovely course. I have a hand held steamer but you can't tip it flat and it has a plastic rather than metal plate.

Thanks in advance for any advice on this.

Regards

Marysia

RICO Electric Hat Stretcher

2025-06-23T21:20:04.426Z

Hello All! I too am looking for a RICO Electric Hat Stretcher. I was wondering if anyone has “any” information on this company???

Foundation as hard as willow esparterie?

2025-03-07T09:30:11.730Z

Hello! I have an old millinery book and in it, they talk about making a hat block out of stiffened willow esparterie. I really like this idea because I can't afford blocks at the moment and I don't necessarily like cutting up styrofoam. I know that willow is pretty much impossible to come by these days, so I was wondering if there are any hat foundations still available which might achieve the same thing? Hope it's not a silly question! Thanks for your help.

ASM 1107-1, £ Singer 107-1

2025-03-01T10:59:58.944Z

I’m searching to purchase sweatband sewing machine ASM 1107-1, Singer 107-1,

Thank you