A gathered hat lining is the perfect way to finish off the inside of a hat neatly and professionally. After all, a well-made hat should be just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside!

As well as making a hat more comfortable to wear, hat linings also do the important job of hiding any messy stitching inside the crown. As an added bonus, they provide a surface to sew your label onto.

There are a number of different types of hat linings, including blocked linings and flat top linings. A gathered hat lining is a good choice for hat styles with a rounded crown, like a button cocktail hat or a blocked beret.

Hat linings can be made from all types of fabric, but thin, natural materials work best. Silk dupion is a popular choice because it is both soft and strong. Remember to cut your lining fabric on the bias so that it will stretch and conform to the shape of your hat.

This gathered hat lining tutorial was written by British milliner Judy Bentinck of Millinery Courses London and was part of her Leather Cocktail Hat project.

Category: Hats, Hints and Tips

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