Blocking a Sinamay Hat

Hat Making Project

Blocking a Sinamay Hat

Learn the basics of blocking sinamay on a wooden hat block.

Blocking a Sinamay Hat

Hat Making Project

Blocking a Sinamay Hat

Learn the basics of blocking sinamay on a wooden hat block.

Projects / Blocking a Sinamay Hat

Project Overview

One of the most popular materials for making hats is sinamay. It is a great material to learn how to block with. A lightweight abaca straw, sinamay easily stretches on the bias and this really helps with blocking.

In this tutorial, Amy Fowler of Humboldt Haberdashery goes over some helpful hints and tips for blocking a sinamay hat. She will explain how to prepare your hat block and determine how much sinamay you will need, as well as going over the basics of the blocking process. With this technique, you can block multiple layers of sinamay at the same time.

The example project is a simple cocktail hat without a brim. However, the techniques used for blocking sinamay shown here will also apply to more complicated hat styles, including those with brims.

Category: Hats, Hints and Tips

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What You Need

  • Sinamay
  • Hat block (The one shown here is a CB175 from Guy Morse-Brown Hat Blocks)
  • Blocking pins
  • Plastic wrap (Cling Film)
  • Scotch tape
  • Water spray bottle
  • Iron
  • Straw stiffener (you can make your own with PVA glue)
  • 1” – 2” Paintbrush
  • Corset stay/Boning (optional)

Project Overview

One of the most popular materials for making hats is sinamay. It is a great material to learn how to block with. A lightweight abaca straw, sinamay easily stretches on the bias and this really helps with blocking.

In this tutorial, Amy Fowler of Humboldt Haberdashery goes over some helpful hints and tips for blocking a sinamay hat. She will explain how to prepare your hat block and determine how much sinamay you will need, as well as going over the basics of the blocking process. With this technique, you can block multiple layers of sinamay at the same time.

The example project is a simple cocktail hat without a brim. However, the techniques used for blocking sinamay shown here will also apply to more complicated hat styles, including those with brims.

Category: Hats, Hints and Tips

What You Need

  • Sinamay
  • Hat block (The one shown here is a CB175 from Guy Morse-Brown Hat Blocks)
  • Blocking pins
  • Plastic wrap (Cling Film)
  • Scotch tape
  • Water spray bottle
  • Iron
  • Straw stiffener (you can make your own with PVA glue)
  • 1” – 2” Paintbrush
  • Corset stay/Boning (optional)

Get Full Access

HATalk Subscribers – sign in below to view the full instructions for this project.

Not a Subscriber yet? Sign up to begin your free trial and get instant access to all of our hat making projects and e-magazines.

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