It might feel like an afterthought, but adding a hatband can make all the difference when it comes to a brimmed hat.

A Petersham or grosgrain ribbon hatband is the traditional way to finish off many classic hat styles, like the fedora, trilby and bowler. Match the ribbon to the hat for a no-nonsense look or add a pop of colour and some lighthearted fun to your design. As well as being stylish, hatbands serve the very practical purpose of hiding the join between the brim and the crown.

In this tutorial by London milliner Elena Shvab, you will learn how to make a two-tone Petersham hatband with a matching bow. This technique can easily be adapted to create different effects. For example, you could use a single ribbon, try out different ribbon widths or add embellishments.

Category: Hints and Tips, Trimmings

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