Monday, October 27, 2008

Crazy 1940's Beret Block







Beret Umh K? I bought this block a few months ago off eBay. It was pretty tricky to block and the headsize ribbon was wrestling match. The Bird Nest Feathers I made from instructions from a Hat Map from How2Hats http://www.how2hats.com/ "Fantastic Feathers" I won this set of Instructions a year or so ago, Lucky Me!! Lots of good info from this company and they're super nice too. I dyed the feathers with silk dyes from Jacquard I had laying around they worked beautifully.

7 comments:

Cristina de Prada - milliner said...

It does look like something that would be very difficult to block with all those bits sinking in, but the result, WOW!, well worth the effort I say.

I would like to see a picture of the back. That notch like mark on the back of the block... is that bit supposed to be cut off afterwards and then sewn together? I wonder...
The orange feathers with the purple hat work really nice.
Would love too see more pictures, also of the inside of the hat!
Thanks for sharing all this wonderfl stuff!
Cristina

Armando y Montez said...

This was like wrestling a shark. It's a heavy block so I had to use the clothing hose for my jiffy steamer and get into all types of precarious positions. I'll take some pictures of the inside and post them here. I do believe you are right about the V notch in the back, it probably is meant to be cut out have some elastic there. Next time I'll try that! Thank You! I blocked the grosgrain on the block so it would be a close fit.

Sayra Adams said...

That's phenomenal! I can imagine blocking would be a challenge to say the least. The feathers remind me of bird's of paradise, and star thistles at the same time. I love the colors together.

Armando y Montez said...

Thanks HatDiva! The feathers were white Biots I dyed with some Jacquard silk dyes I intended to use on SILK you know how that goes..Re-purpose! I put them directly into the dye bath and proceeded with the instructions from the Fantastic Feathers HatMap I won from HaTTalk.. Love those Guy-s pun intended.

Cristina de Prada - milliner said...

Thank you for the extra pictures. You did a neat job of the inside, I know how difficult it can be to sew those ribbons, and I believe these neat hand finishes are what bring good hats to the "haute couture" level.

I keep thinking about that notch at the back... I thought it was meant to cut away that area and then sew the felt back together, but from what I see now that would make the hat too small. Perhaps an elastic as you say? We might never know.

Hat Therapy said...

What a fab shape and wonderful use of colour too.The block is just the most terrific shape but I bet it had you steaming and re steaming more than once.!! Stunning beret.

Armando y Montez said...

Hey Chrissie, I remember keeping the velour on the block and using blocking cords to pull the weird bits in. I'll block again and photograph the process..