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Greetings!
For us, this is the "Dog Days" of August. Hot, humid, sultry, sticky weather. The kind of weather I've no use for except, it also brings us lush ripe tomatoes and tree ripened fruits just ready to pluck and eat. So I must try to find goodness in the heat and a spot of shade for my evening reading in the garden.
Our current project of rewriting
the FAQ section on the website is taking longer than planned and is not ready to publish on the site. We hope to announce it's completion by the time of our September newsletter.
Our customer data-base update continues but the end is in sight. You may receive one of our postcards near the time of a recent order and wonder why. We apologize for this seemingly waste of paper. The update is being done alphabetically and it is only by coincidence that your order and our postcard may arrive at nearly the same time.
We hope you will find the newsletter a useful tool in your hatmaking adventures. The feature articles have links which allow you, the reader,
to click and be taken to pages giving more detail on the subjects.
here's to a few moments of quiet and cool contemplation,
judith
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September Workshop at Judith M Studio
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Hatmaking - from Basics to Advanced Techniques
with Ms. Veronica Chin
Everything you ever wanted to know about making hats is a great way to describe this 2-day intense workshop. 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 the Midwest's grand dame of millinery. Visit
the Workshop schedule section on our website for more
information. Clink on the link to go to Workshops at Judith M Studio
We offer 4-6 workshops yearly, lasting
two days each through our Hat Studio. The instructors are top notch making these exceptional quality workshops.
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| Visor Shapes are Back in Stock! |
Cap Visors are again available.
Earlier this year we lost our source for cap inserts when the mill closed.  We are thrilled to have found a replacement and can again offer this popular product to you. We carry the same 3 shapes as previously but also have access to another 50+ shapes from which you can order if ours do not suit. (There is a 10 gross minimum with special orders.)
We also have the polycore compressed foam sheets (or are expecting delivery of them any day) similar to those we had previously. The size is a bit different now, 24 x 48 inches, making them less cumbersome to handle. They will still be offered in black and white.
CAP INSERTS
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| HatHelp! or Tricks of the Trade
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Caring for and Using Hat Blocks
How can I keep my wooden hat block in good condition?
Blocks are an expensive tool in the industry and keeping them in good working condition only makes sense. Because they are wood they can develop dry rot or wormwood. They will also crack or chip if not handled carefully.
Cover a wooden block with plastic wrap, or a thin plastic bag (the weight that drycleaners use), or lightweight aluminum foil
before each use. Everyone has their own preference among these three options and one may work better for one type of use than another. You will need to experiment to learn which you prefer. Covering the block before using will keep it in good working condition for generations to come. And unless you plan to use the block right away remove the plastic or foil when finished. Do not store it covered. One other bit of advice about materials used to cover the block. If planning to use the block for making buckram forms, the best cover is the non-stick type of aluminum foil (non-stick side up). You can easily remove the buckram form when dry without the bother of foil or plastic sticking to the insides of the buckram.
Most new blocks come with a clear polyurethane protection already. At least once a year reapply a light coating of a similar polyurethane finish. (If using
the block in a steam box check the label as I am not sure how the polyurethane will hold up in high
temperatures). Vintage blocks benefit from a wipe down with a good quality furniture oil. This renews some of the natural oil and also cleans the wood surface.
The polyurethane crown blocks are inexpensive and come in 4 basic styles. Cover them before use just as you would the better blocks.
You can also try making your own blocks from sheets of insulation polystyrene foam. The denser the better, I think. The sheets can be cut, sanded and shaped into crown blocks, head blocks and brim blocks. It is a messy and tedious task but when working from a tight budget it gives another possibility for expanding your block inventory. There is an excellent article in The Hat Magazine, Issue 28 (Jan, Feb,
Mar 2006) with Eia Radosavijevic and Hannah Bledstein of Chicago. It takes you through the steps of carving a block, covering it in buckram and then adding a papiere mache finish. To order a copy of that issue visit The Hat Magazine You can also just cover your new block shape in plastic or foil instead of adding the buckram and papiere mache.
The block images along the right hand column show some of the types of blocks used in hatmaking. The one piece crown block is the most common and very versatile. The Derby shape is just one of many one piece blocks. There are hundreds of shapes to be had. Scour flea markets, antique shops, estate sales and online auctions to find them. You do not need every size and shape to be a successful millinery. Pad the block if a larger headsize is required. Slight differences in headsize alterations can be done by fitting the correct size inner sweatband for the customer or, slightly stretching the hat at the opening to accommodate the customer's fit.
If you have other ways of caring for your blocks or, making new blocks, email your ideas to me and I will include them in future newsletter issues and will happily give you the credit.
Remember,
all of our instructions are general in nature. You will need to
experiment to find what works best for you in your hatmaking situation.
The "HatHelp" column will
focus on a different millinery item or technique each issue and provide
information on hints and how-to's relating to that issue's topic.
Previous articles have dealt with hat veiling, stiffeners and sizing
and working with wire. You may read our previous e-Newsletters in the
Archive on the website. Newsletter Archive
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Thank you for reading our newsletter and for your interest in or love of hats. We delight in hearing what hats you are making or wearing and hope you will keep in touch.
To paraphrase Monty Python, "The problem with
the world today,
There aren't enough people wearing hats."
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August NEWSLETTER
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| Hello from Judith M! |
| In this email you will find new or back in stock products, our September workshop and a Tricks of the Trade column about using and caring for hatblocks. |
Types of Blocks
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One Piece Crown
Two Piece Crown
Multiple Piece Crown
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