Hats! Hats! Hats!

Hats! Hats! Hats!

The love of hats has played an important part in the wardrobe from back in the time when a skin was thrown over a cave man?s head to protect him from the elements until the present time.

In the 1920?s, women would seldom leave the house without having a hat or some type of head covering. During 1950 to 1960 department stores had emerged with hat departments in their stores. There were whole stores devoted to nothing but hats. As a teenager a favorite occupation to do when in the ?city? was to go to the hat department or store and try on hats. The stores tolerated it because occasionally we did actually buy a hat! By 1970?s and 1980?s, hats had lost their importance. Big glorious hair styles and hair pieces had come into style and hats were no longer needed. Hats would mess up our hair styles!

Now hats have once again emerged and you will find areas in large stores once again devoted to hats.

In this class we will concentrate on designing and making hats of most of the different hat styles. Attention will be paid to the scale of the hat in relation to the doll you have chosen.

So whether or not you have worn a hat in your own life, a hat does remain the picture of style or elegance, intrigue or mystery, fascination or enchantment, glamour or romance. There is nothing that can help you portray an idea better than a hat.

We will learn the basics of hat making according to Dru!! These are ideas that I found by trial and error, the decorations of your hat are entirely up to you and your Doll!

When I began making dolls 24 years ago, I, also, began making hats for my dolls. I went to a haberdasher in Wichita, ?Hat Man Jack? and told him what I was doing. After a tour of demonstrations on making ?people? hats, we discussed tricks I might try and with his blessings, he sent me on my way. I am now sharing those tips and tricks with you!

Outline of the Class

• Choosing a form the same as the size or scale of your doll
  • Objects to form the hat such as small cans, salt and pepper shakers
  • Styrofoam Round or Egg the size of head
  • Retired doll head
  • Head form firmly stuffed
• Choosing materials and trims
  • Discarded women?s lightweight felt hats
  • Discarded women?s straw hats
  • Buckram
  • Desirable fabrics
  • Large doll straw hats
• Choosing desired style to make
  • Decide what you wish to portray
    • Practical Hats ? ones we call every day hats
    • Service Hats ? hats used in a profession
    • Specialty Hats

This is an ongoing, self-paced class and is always available