Animal Print Furfelt Hatbodies

There are ten colors available in this lovely felted fiber, a blend of wool and rayon (70% wool - 30% rayon). A number of pattern companies are reintroducing hats to their lines for winter styles and this fabric works up nicely. While being great for using with flat pattern millinery it can also be blocked.

It comes in 72" width /double fold  so one is actually getting two yards instead of one when ordering by the yard. It can also be ordered in half yards which equals one full square yard.  WoolFelt

• blend of 70% wool - 30% rayon
  
• thickness of 1/16-inch
• 7.5oz weight per yard

Boiled WoolFelt Instructions

You can make your own Sherpa-like or fleece-like felt in a wonderful natural fiber blend! With this easy and fun technique, you can create the perfect
texture and give ordinary crafts and collectibles a unique, luxurious look.

1. Using cold water, wet WoolFelt completely in a sink or basin. Do not rub or agitate. Wet each color separately (some dye may be released into the water - this is normal).

2. Squeeze by hand to remove as much water as possible. Avoid wringing as it may stretch the material.

3. Place in a standard tumble clothes dryer on regular setting until WoolFelt is nearly dry (approximately 35 minutes). Do not over dry. Dry light colors separately from darker colors. Colors may change slightly during drying process.

   TIP: If excess dye remains in dryer, take out WoolFelt, place old wet towel in dryer, and finish dryer cycle to remove remaining dye.

4. Lay Flat to dry completely, smoothing fabric gently by hand. Large wrinkles may be removed by using a light steam iron held just above the surface of the fabric. Return felt to its original form by pressing with a steam iron.

Results may vary. Because WoolFelt contains 70% wool, some shrinkage will occur during this process. Across a 36" wide swatch, there may be a loss of 2 - 4 inches. In length, the fabric may lose 3 - 5 inches per yard. To avoid future shrinkage upon completion, dry cleaning is recommended.

We've been holding courses in our studio for over 12 years and I think the three we offer this fall are some of the best ever. There are fewer and fewer companies offering short workshops. Making it difficult for the part-time milliner or someone wanting to begin in a small way to find good tutelage without enrolling in term courses. This is your opportunity for personal tutoring in an open studio setting. Do you want to learn about hatmaking? This is the perfect setting. Already making hats? Then have the use of our facilities, blocks, and tools and one-on-one instruction with three of the Midwest's grand dames of millinery.

September 14-15  Veronica Chin, Burning Bush Millinery, Lake Bluff, IL

INDEPENDENT STUDY. Pursue any of the millinery arts in this open class: blocking in straw, felt and buckram, or focus on finish work and specific techniques. Work as intensely as you wish, make as many hats as you want. Use our facilities, blocks, and tools. Our workrooms will be your private domain for the two days and our staff at your beck and call.

October 19-20  Laura Whitlock, Laura Whitlock Millinery, Chicago, IL.

MILLINERY GYMNASTICS. Study theatrical and millinery techniques for making "Wow" hats. Construct complex shapes that remain intact through wear and tear, going beyond the basics into the fantasmical world of make believe. From here, you can go anywhere in millinery art.

November 2-3  Laura Hubka, Laura Hubka Millinery, Evanston, IL.

The number of students permitted in each course is limited but there are still some spaces open and we encourage you to register without delay. The instructors are top notch and we promise you will not leave disappointed. Workshop Registration

How do I use the gelatin sizing?

Gelatin sizing is a fine powder substance that is diluted with water. As with any sizing or stiffener, it should be applied in many thin coats to avoid runs, drips and a glumpy look. At first it may feel awkward to work with but as you continue using it you will fall in love with how easy it is to apply. To keep the process as simple as possible, we suggest diluting the gelatin granules with hot water and dissolve thoroughly. A simple method is to place the granules into a bottle, add the hot water, put lid on bottle and shake until all is dissolved (10-15 minutes). Use as a spray, brush on or dip. For spray bottle use, we suggest a ratio of 1 part gelatin granules to 15 parts hot water. The brush on and dip solution can be a bit lower in ratio. Because gelatin sizing is non-toxic and bio-degradable, it does not store well. Mix only as much as will use in 1-2 days, and store in refrigeration between uses. More detailed instructions follow.

#1157 Gelatin Sizing Instructions for use:

Mix this powdered, biodegradable gelatin sizing with water to make an ideal non-toxic, non-flammable solution for stiffening straw, felt and many other items, including silk flowers. Wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling the fine powder.

1. Presoak gelatin crystals in small amount of tap water (enough to cover) for 5 minutes.

2. Add boiling water and stir until crystals are dissolved. Allow to cool a bit, before using. Use while warm.

3. Sizing solution can be sponged on to hat surface, dipped, or sprayed (note ratio varies for spray use).

4. Sponge off excess sizing, steam and block. Steaming the hatbody after applying the sizing forces the sizing from the surface allowing it to penetrate deep into the hat material.