MATERIALS:

Hat Blocks:
Each hat has a block from which it was shaped. Most blocks are made of poplar wood and are either machine manufactured, or hand shaped to create special shapes and sizes. Crown and Brim blocks can be used separately or together to form various styles.

Felts:
Wool has a rough textured material made from fleece, and it's matted and boiled to become wool. It's then dyed. The pieces come in two shapes. A "hood", which looks like a small upside down trash can, and a capeline, which is a large circle, with a raised center, this becomes the crown of the hat. Velours are made in Czechoslovakia, and similar to the wool felts except they have a soft nap, like velvet and they come in more vibrant colors. Velours are made from long-cut rabbit fur and are steel brushed to create the soft texture. Furs are also made of rabbit, though traditionally made from beaver down. Fur retains a long fuzzy nap, as it's not sheared short like the velours.

Silk Ribbons:
Our silk ribbon used for both trimming and hand made flowers, is hand dyed and varies from batch to batch. Many color combinations are exclusive to our company and designed by Laura Lynch.