How to make a Wet Felt Hat Block
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- Опубліковано 26 гру 2018
- How to make your own bespoke hat blocks for wet felting from craft foam. No special tools required, just a carving knife and sandpaper. Time lapse of final shaping and sanding at end of video. Hat size template: mellysews.com/2014/05/sew-hat... Time lapse of final shaping and sanding at 13.06. Search eBay or web for 'blue craft foam' for supplier.
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Thanks for your video. I pick up a lot of felt, straw hats from the Thrift Store from people that have never given them any tender loving care. I have learned with other video how to clean and steam and just recently I have learned how to install a new head liner and to place a new ribbon replacement for the hat. Thanks for the link on hat size to acquire.
Thanks Mark!
Very clever , quite a Renaissance Man ,Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us ...truly appreciated
Thanks Isabella
Excellent and detailed tutorial! (Please, please wear a dust mask while sanding foam, or any material, honestly.)
I am loving your channel! You're tutorials are so practical! I've watched all of your video several times. I cannot wait to start in on my felt hat! Thank you so much! Please, please, please keep making his videos!
Thank you Daren. I hope you make some great hats!
Loved the sped up part. Ludicrous speed! Go!!!
Wow. This exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much for this. I have some old felt hats that I want to give a new life.
Really good idea. Thanks for the video.
OMG a true craft man! Respect!
Thank you.
you are gifted, thanks alot :)
You inspired me to make a hat block that fits my husband
Being able to make custom sized blocks easily is great. You can also tweak them or reduce the height as required. Have fun!
As many model train enthusiasts will know, a hot wire is fantastic for cutting foam.
Nice sealed surface left behind, as precise as you'd like, easy to build if you can't buy one.
Probably isn't fantastic to breathe, but if you have a pedestal fan going you'll live.
If you have a hot wire cutter of course! I'm not sure it would be the best tool for blocks but I will experiment, thanks.
Great idea, thank you so much : )
Thank you so much for sharing.
I have another idea just to keep it the most eco-friendly possible. We could sculpt the shape using paperclay (the most basic home-made one) and when dry. Wrapping it in that kitchen plastic. The amount of plastic needed becomes even smaller.
awesome video thank you !
I've been using an electric carving knife - it works great!
Good idea - I'll be sneaking ours out of the kitchen later!
This is gonna help me kick off my business thank you.
Thank You bunches!!!
You are welcome Stephanie.
Thank you for the video.
You are welcome. I hope it helps make some great hats!
Brilliant !
I see you've found your way to the block video!
@@donutpanic I did , I'm not in the US, just a little south of you as it happens ! Next project finding some foam. I think there is a vacuum former at our hack space
@@melaniewilson4142 Hi Melanie. I have foam if you need some. If you want vac formed blocks I gave those too. Where are you?
@@donutpanic That would be great is there a way to pm from here ?
This is fantastic, I've got started on mine now! Any thoughts on coating the foam to protect it after it is all finished and sanded?
Hi Jennifer. As long as you have the correct rigid foam there is no need to add any finish. I have blocks that I have used repeatedly with no problem. If you do want to add a finish make sure you test it on a scrap of foam first to ensure it doesn't dissolve it.
Good video buddy :)
Thanks!
Great video! Is the blue foam your using the same as the foam they use as siding insulation? You mentioned a template for sizes, where can I find that?
Thanks Carrie. If you scroll down to my reply to Greg H there are links about the foam. I downloaded the template from here : mellysews.com/sew-hat/
Ty 4 showing us a cheaper way
Greetings from the next shire Mike. I love your videos! Thanks so much. I am currently attempting a block out of a white polystyrene cake block, it's messy in the extreme! Fun though. I'm trying to make one to help me make a 1920's cloche hat and wondered if there was an average height for blocks? thanks again
Thank for the comment. White packaging type polystyrene is quite different and as you say, messy if you try this. The blue (or now grey) stuff is as you can see carving and sanding friendly. Blocks will vary in height, but 5" would be average for a Trilby or Fedora. Let me know how you get on!
I seem to have deleted your further reply - sorry! I am used to working with wood, have lots if kit but making wooden blocks is still laborious. I also make ABS plastic vacuum formed blocks but again, making various sizes and styles is a pain. The rigid foam is the way to go. Where are you based?
@@donutpanic I'm in the Belper area of Derbyshire
Mr. Mike
I read in school and my next holiday project is to "make a waterproof cowboy hat". Can you suggest something about that?
By the way, love your tutorial.
Thank you for your comment. Dense, well worked felt repels water very well, but will eventually become wet. You can coat with a waterproofing spray such as Scotchguard to make it more water repellent. I wear a wet-felted Fedora in all weathers and it keeps my head dry! Good luck with your project.
Hi Mike! I recently purchased some XPS and am about to begin shaping my crowns. My plan is to make a variety of rabbit and beaver fur felt hats. My questions are: will the crown blocks hold up to the heat from the steam needed to form the felt and will the blocks get damaged from using a Blockers Cord & Pusher Downer?
Much appreciated!
The foam blocks hold up well in repeated use for wet felting (from loose fibre) which is what I use them for. I have not tried using pre-made hoods on the foam blocks. Let me know how it goes- good luck!
I would like to learn how to make beaver felt hats, any schools you can recommend?
I would love to have a tutorial on how to make a wooden hat block 🤓 please...🌸🌸🌸
I have made wooden blocks but they are not ideal for wet felting. I prefer the foam blocks, or abs vacuum formed blocks. If you have the tools and equipment to make a wooden block, you could probably already do it!
ua-cam.com/video/XI4_akHmpzc/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/BxHJk03Uvqg/v-deo.html
Wooden blocks look realy nice do 😉 Does the foam stands the pressure when you put on it while wet felting? I meen, I put my weight on it 🥴😂 dont it brake or crack?
@@Idasbus1 It is a rigid foam, not packaging polystyrene. It is fine. If you want something you can stand on the abs vac formed blocks are what you want. With the foam blocks you can make any size or style you need using the most basic of tools.
ua-cam.com/video/aWe8FM8tgpw/v-deo.html
Hannah, I am wondering if you can use floral foam? Floral supply shops and craft ships seek the foam for both wet (fresh flowers) and dry (silk flowers).
No. Floral foam is soft and crumbly. This is extruded polystyrene and totally different.
This is fantastic, thank you. What grade of sandpaper do you use?
Around 120 I think. Too course and it causes tear-out.
@@donutpanic Good tip, thank you. And thanks for sharing your skill so generously.
Mike could you post where you buy your ABS molds from and also your craft foam.
Foam is from Panel Systems, UK. There are answers below and in my other videos for supply in the USA (I'm guessing that's where you are). I vac form my own ABS blocks. Search for 'Hatshapers' in the USA.
I love your video, brilliant ... Where did you buy the hat block in plastic? I live in Paris.
Thank you again. Phuong Vaughan
Hi. It is extruded polystyrene. It is used for modelling, but primarily for insulating, so you may find it from an insulation supplier in sheet form. I get mine from here: www.panelsystems.co.uk/product/styrofoam-ravatherm-xps
I look forward to seeing some stylish Parisian hats!
Hi Mike, awesome video, I've never worked with blue craft foam, would this work as a wood block for traditional non-wet hat making?
It may do, but I think if you really have to pull you might deform the foam, although it is quite tough.
@@donutpanic I understand, maybe I can use the foam ones covered with some sort of hard plastic coat
@@KidCalavera I'd try it as it is first. It's pretty tough stuff.
спасибо!
Just what I need. Thank you. Is that material just called craft foam or does it have another name?
It is extruded polystyrene, or xps. Widely used as insulation as well as crafting and modelling. www.panelsystems.co.uk/product/craftfoam-grey
Good day Sir, are these blocks for shaping of the fedoras only or can they be shaped for long oval heads? Because I'm a long oval, store bought fedoras don't always fit? I need something permanent when purchasing custom fedoras. I'm willing to pay for one of the foam blocks if this is feasible 😊. Not crafty as you are...LOL.
Good day to you, Kevin. I use the foam blocks for making wet felt hats from scratch using loose wool fibre rather than blocking or reblocking commercial hoods or hats. They can be made to any shape. I wonder if a hat stretcher might be a better solution for you?
Any link to purchase in the UK? Tried the extruded polystyrene xps search but can't find exactly what I need as a consumer
Scroll down to my reply to Becah for a link. I buy mine from Panel Systems.
Do you glue multiple sheets together? I can't find any xps/craft foam thicker than 75mm
No, the sheets are 150 mm thick. You could glue two (or more) 75 mm sheets together though. Where are you?
Hi Mike thanks for the video! Have you ever tried to enlarge a hat from one size to another? How would you do something like that? Would i need wood to do that? Thanks
Hi Steven. My videos are about making wet felted hats starting from the raw fibre, so are blocked as part of the felting process rather than blocking a commercial pre made hood. However, to resize an existing hat, I would remove the sweat band and hat band, stretch the felt body, and refit a correctly sized sweatband and hat band - it is these that keep the size and stop the hat body from stretching in use. An exact size block would be ideal, but might be hard to come by or make.
@@donutpanic Thanks for your reply. I just wondered what your advice was for changing a hat size. it's a custom hat 100% beaver, if that makes a difference. I was gonna try to use the xps block to change the size but I was concerned maybe it's not strong enough. thanks
@@picturesteve398 resizing your hat is quite far removed from wet felting, which is very different from blocking a pre made felt hat body, so I can't really advise.
You can buy hat stretchers online. How well they work, I cannot say.
To make a block larger, cover in clingfilm. block a piece of felt on it then measure. If not large enough, block another felt over that. I don't think it works with more than two layers of felt.
I can’t seem to find any such foam in my internet searches, can you elaborate further what else the product is sold as. Thanks, insightful video. I can’t wait to get to sculpting.
This is the product I use: www.panelsystems.co.uk/product/craftfoam-blue. Also known as Extruded Polystyrene (XPS). If you are in US have a look at the comments to this video ua-cam.com/video/LNVDH7C8OIU/v-deo.html
👍👍
So....question. Can you use it just like that? Glued foam with no sealant? Or do you have to do anything to it after this stage?
Yes just as is, no further treatment. I've just re-blocked my daily worn, three year old hat on the block I used to make it originally.
@@donutpanic Sweet! Thanks so much! I'm trying to reshape a rather floppy, felt hat into a short Top hat with a better fit. I hope it works. :)
@Chilly Studios Do bear in mind that I am wet felting, going from loose fibre to finished felt, rather than pulling a pre-made hood (or in your case an existing hat) into shape. Regarding the floppyness, have a look at my stiffening with shellac video.
Hi there, how do you seal the bodies after so they are heat & pressure resilient ?
The blocks are for wet felting. They are perfectly resilient for the intended purpose, using hot, sometimes near boiling, water.
Hello, I'm having a hard time in the states finding the blue foam. Can you share a link to where I may purchase some?
Scroll down.
As the saying goes, "Work smarter, not harder."
"A-lum-i-num" there is only one I.
Just a "crack". I always joke with my Irish friend who says aluminum the same way. Thanks for making this video! Its was great!
You'll be telling me next that there is no 'u' in colour!
@@donutpanicThat's a good one. HaHa! Oh no not at all! There is a U in color...the only thing is, here in the States we do not "U's" it. Haha. Have a good day Mike. I enjoyed your video. I am now in the search for big blocks of blue craft foam.
hello mike
Thank you for this very important video
I wanted to ask please
Ifa, I can buy
Quality felt fabric
to make a hat
I would love a link to a store that sells these fabrics
And one more question please.
Ifa, you can buy the device that cuts the brim of the hat
I saw some videos of hat makers on UA-cam
who use a wooden handle with a knife
You can adjust the measurements to cut the brim of the hat
Thank you and have a nice day
Hi. My videos cover wet felting, so you start with loose fibre and make the felt as part of the process rather than buy it. You can buy pre made felt hoods to shape on a block. You can buy brim cutters although I use a pair of scissors.
@@donutpanic Hi Mike thanks for the quick reply
I'm not yet at the stage of making the fabric myself
Ifa, can I buy fabric by myself ready for design?
I searched online
I did not find such a store
I would appreciate it if you could give me a link to a store that sells the fabric alone for the design
Thank you very much
@@vintage848 search for 'wool felt hoods for hat making'.
How much room do you have to leave for the sweat band?
I don't think felt making is that exact a science! I make a band that fits my head and then sew it in - the felt will give enough if required. Otherwise, simply measure your head with the band held in place for an exact size.
@@donutpanic thank you! Love your videos. Will try it out soon.
Went to melly sews can’t find template for blocks- could you attach the link for the template
I sesrched for hat template and this comes up. mellysews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/HatTemplate.pdf
Thank you, I asked this. X
Hi Mike! I’ve search on eBay for a blue craft foam blocks and the only results either come in different dimensions or different types of foam. If you by chance see this, could you perhaps write me a link to your supplier?
Hi Becah. UK supplier below. Where are you?
www.panelsystems.co.uk/product/styrofoam-ravatherm-xps
@@donutpanic I am from canada and I am also looking for foam blocks. On your link the blocks only go up to 118 mm thikness wich is only 4,6 inches.
@@LABELLEPLUIE Hello Aurelie. The foam I buy is 150 mm ( 6" ) thick, which is more than thick enough for all the blocks I have made so far. It can be glued together if required. If you look at the comments in this or my other block videos you should find information and links that should help you source the material locally.
@@donutpanic Thank you for your reply Mike! Ive found someone that supplies blocks in Canada, more expensice then I expected but I can make at least 2 blocks with it. Also Do you need a different block for every size?
@@LABELLEPLUIE Keep looking - I'm sure you will find a reasonably priced supplier of insulation rather than model making. Have a look at the link to the UK supplier in my reply to Becah above for comparison. The point being that you can make different sizes relatively easily and inexpensively with the rigid foam as opposed to wooden or ABS blocks. It also allows you to easily adjust the size or style if the hat is not quite right and then rework the hat. I have reduced the height of a couple blocks while in progress. A hat that really fits is worth the effort!
Hi from Brazil!
What height for fedora block?
Olá! The foam starts 150 mm thick. The crown on this one was 125 mm high.
@@donutpanic and is it the same height for all head sizes?
@João Bartowski Down to personal choice I suppose. For most styles I find 150 mm roo tall. The beauty of the foam blocks is that you can trim them down and re-block if it looks wrong. If it were a very small hat size, then I suppose the height should change in proportion.
How tall should they be?
Hi Jade. Measure a hat that you like and make it that high. 125 to 150 mm is about right for me. Thank you.
hi there - desperately trying to find a specific shape of brimless hat like an upside-down fez - I can't find a name for it - I've searched for Babouska, cossack, high top pill box, flat top crown - to no avail so have popped on to good old youtube in the hope that someone like is out there and I can learn how to make my own hat block but I simply can't find the 'blue craft foam' - I'm finding floral foam and medium density polystyrene - is there any chance you can add a link here - a demented Scottish 'mother-of-the bride' who has fallen in love with a hat that doesn't apparently exist!!! ...
www.panelsystems.co.uk/products/modelling-foam
Sounds like you'll need to make a puzzle block that you can dismantle to remove.
@@donutpanic thank you for your prompt reply - I am thinking that I would just cut it off the block or cut out the foam (now that I found you) there's going to be tulle or lace wrapped around so I'm thinking the seam will be disguised - I'm not a hat maker but if I can't find what I want off the peg or someone to make or if it's just not worth the cost I generally end up making it myself - thanks again though you're life saver!!!
What’s the exact measurements for your foam Sheets/Blocks
Hi Luke. The sheets I have are 150 mm thick. Info about sizes are in the video.
Loved the video but wanted to be sure how thick your block was....I’ve been making hats for quite some time and just stumbled across your video and blown away by the fact that I’ll no longer be dropping crazy amounts of money on wood blocks. Thanks!
@@lukeyoung3421 150 mm is more than enough, or you can glue it with PVA if you only have thinner sheets.
@@donutpanic gonna check the hobby lobby and see if they have any local. Most of the blue craft foam I’m finding is across the pond and not really wanting to wait for it haha. I appreciate it man definitely earned a like and follower.
@@donutpanic do you happen to have a link to the foam you buy. I’m having a heck of a time trying to find anything similar. Really the only thing I can find is the regular crappy white foam that breaks apart
Hi was enquiring about hat making and was told Nottingham is the place to be .do u du classes?
Hi Simone. No classes I'm afraid. Hopefully the videos will help. If you have any questions just ask.
what is the height measurement of the block you are using there ?
Hi Rusty. I've just measured my dog walking Fedora, which has a crown height of five inches before shaping. The blue foam starts at 150 mm (6") thick, so you can make any height block up to that. Hope that helps!
donutpanic thank you!
For those having a hard time finding this crafting foam in the US, I live in California and this and many other progressive states have banned this material. Its very difficult to find and mostly 1/4 inch sheets with paper for house insulation. The quest continues because wood blocks are not economic for me.
You may be right but a Google search for "Extruded polystyrene insulation California" seems to bring up several results. I hope you find some - good luck!
@@donutpanic ah yes i see there are unfaced versions of insulation type. Its green but hopefully thats the same material.
Another place i saw offered 2-8 lb weight but not sure which you're using.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I thought i would have to make one out of expanding foam like another tutorial used.
@UCTkYN547lLAJbZb0j1TprUw current price here in UK is £128 for a box of two pieces 6" thick, 4' long, 2' wide. Sounds a lot but it makes a lot of blocks if you can justify it. It's now branded as 'Ravatherm XPS' here un UK. I don't think there are variations in density. Remember it is Extruded not expanded polystyrene that you need. The legislation looks to be going after packaging rather than insulation materials.
@@donutpanic All I could find is a product called Foamular. It says extruded (Next Generation Extruded) but its pink. Do you believe this will suffice? Thank you again for your guidance
I came to the store to see the material and it seems a little squishy. Does your blue foam get dented if you press on it?
@@deadeyeskunk269 I think I know the stuff you mean - no that's not it.