hat making advice for a beginner

[5Foot5]

Has anyone on here tried hat making?

I kind of fancy a go but don't want to go to the expense of hat blocks if I don't get on with it. What sort of hats can you make without blocks? I don't think I want to do a fascinator.

Does anyone know of any kits or have any other ideas or advice? Thanks

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

I've made a lot of hats with no blocks. Mostly period bonnets though! I suppose you could make a soft, velvet hat....what style do you like? Velvet will make a good-ish cloche style or a small brimmed slouchy one.,

[5Foot5]

I kind of fancied doing something in felt or straw but I think I do need a block for those. Naively I had assumed one block should do it but it seems you need potentially lots of different ones and they are not cheap.

[poppyinstitches]

if you want large brimed hats in wool or fur felt you will need blocks. Maybe start with sinamay and sew? There are blocking services available and macculloch and wallis sell blocked hats that can be trimmed or covered with fabric. If your not sure why not enrol in a class where they will have lots of block availble, ebay also good source of blocks.