Follow the simple instructions to make a warm felt hat to keep out the wind!!

 

1.  For this project I have used pre-felt which can be bought by the metre or you can make your own pieces,  using the first steps of felt making, before the hardening process..  Pre-felt is produced in the first stage.  I used a large dinner plate as a pattern and cut 2 circles.

2.     I measured the circumference of the round and cut a contrasting piece of pre-felt about 1 inch longer than the circumference and twice the depth that I wanted my hat to be.  This was then folded along the length.
3.  Next I stitched around the circumference using a contrasting wool.
4.   My next task was to stitch along the edge of the straight piece with contrasting wool to hold the edges together.  (APOLOGIES FOR THE PICS, CONTRAST NOT RIGHT).
5.   Using a matching wool, I then oversewed the two ends of the straight piece to form it into a ring.
6.   The next stage was to join the pieces.  For this I used contrasting thread and blanket stitch, which is decorative and also holds the top to the bottom piece.  You can use any stitch as long as it holds the pieces together.
A different view of the stitching process.

 

7.   To add decoration I threaded a contrasting yarn in and out of the stitching. (White yarn)

 

8.   Now I prepared for the wet task of felting.  I laid out a bath towel, a rush blind, a bottle of hot water and some handsoap.  I flattened the hat, soaked it with hot water and rubbed it with soap.  I rubbed this hard with my hand and repeated the application of water and soap until it was well soaked.

 

9.   My next task was to harden the felt.  This was achieved by rolling the hat in the towel and the blind.  I then rolled back and forth, vigourously about 80 times.  I opened the roll, made sure the inside of the hat wasn't sticking together, ( if it does, gently pull it apart), turned the hat a quarter turn, poured on hot water, rolled and repeated.  Continue in this way, also turning the hat over, until it is about the required size.  ( Remember to check that the inside hasn't stuck together).       At this stage rinse the hat thoroughly, in cold water.  To shape the hat I placed my fists inside and gently stretched it where needed.  I then shaped the rim using my fingers to pull it gently, causing it to flare.  Wearing a bath cap, I placed it on my head and moulded it into place, taking care not to pull too hard!   SORRY, NO PHOTOS OF THESE STAGES - EVERYTHING'S WET!!     Leave to dry on a shaped object.  I placed a cloth under the hat to help absorb the liquid.  When dry, the brim can be worn down as a cloche or turned up.