Who doesn’t love a little cocktail hat or mini hat?
Well, actually there are a few; mainly those who are scared of hats in general. But can I say these are just the easiest to wear, can flatter all face types…and are better than just wearing a woosy fascinator!
A cocktail hat may be a classic pillbox, possibly a small dish hat, maybe even a mini bowler or tophat. It is something small and dainty enough to perch on your head on a jaunty angle – natch!
Since I’m currently working on a DIY video on blocking a cocktail hat or pillbox out of felt, I thought it might be timely to first list a few suppliers.
You may recall my DIY Embellished Headband post, in which I used a flat felt. I’m likewise going to be using wool felt in some upcoming hat projects.
The felt I use in the upcoming video is from a supplier called B&M; Felt, which I found at Finders Keepers last month. You can buy the felt in either 2mm, 3mm or 5mm thickness, and in various sized squares or by the metre. I bought a few squares in a fuchsia colour called Lloyd, and a green called Apple, but there are many others.
They specifically deal in felt, but for overall millinery supplies, you may want to go to the specialists. Here are some Australian ones, but just google ‘Millinery supplies’ to find some in your own country and town.
Milliners Workshop (aka SA Brown)
De Lew Designs
Torb & Reiner
C J Preston
For feathers as well as some millinery supplies:
Feathers
General craft supplies:
Spotlight
Lincraft
I’ll list more specialty suppliers, such as for diamantes or leather, as I come to them in the DIY’s. I hope you stick around and check them out!
Totally looking forward to your new video. Just watched the one that you linked and it was great! You did a fantastic job on the headband. It looked so polished!
Oh thank you so much! I appreciate your comments 🙂 There's a bit more involved in making caps & hats, but it's still not too hard; hopefully have the vid up tomorrow, or at least part 1.
Oh thank you so much for this, I was wondering where you found such beautiful looking felt and wools! Really want to try out your tutorial!
Hi there! I’m been trying to teach myself how to make fascinators and I came across a video of yours on Youtube. I was so inspired by your work! You make it all looks so much fun and worthwhile. I would like to ask for your advise: is it possible to use and work with synthetic felt or is it better to use wool felt (to make hats)? Looking forward to more of your vids!!