5 Common Mistakes in Hat Making and How to Avoid Them

(A guide for beginners and handmade hat enthusiasts)

Introduction

Welcome to the fascinating world of hat making! If you’ve ever tried to create a felt hat, a summer hat, or an elegant fascinator, you’ve probably encountered some challenges. In this guide, I’ll share 5 common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them, so you can create high-quality, elegant, and durable hats.

 

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Material for Your Hat Type

📌 Why is this a problem?
The wrong material can cause your hat to lose its shape, be too stiff, or too soft. For example, thin felt is not suitable for structured hats, and synthetic materials don’t offer the same quality as wool or natural straw.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Choose 100% wool felt for structured hats.
• Use sinamay or natural straw for summer hats.
• Always test your materials before starting a project to ensure they are suitable for your technique.

 

Mistake #2: Not Using Stiffener for Soft Materials

📌 Why is this a problem?
Without a stiffener, your hat may lose its shape or appear weak and unstructured.

✅ How to avoid it:

• For felt, use hat stiffener to reinforce the shape. (Details about stiffeners and where to find them are provided in my course.)
• For sinamay, apply a water-based stiffener for proper structure.
• Apply the stiffener gradually and shape the hat while the material is still damp.
• Avoid using textile stiffeners like spray starch or toxic adhesives such as wood glue, which are not suitable for natural hat materials.

 

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Hat Block or No Block at All

📌 Why is this a problem?
If you don’t use the right wooden hat block or try to shape the hat without proper support, the final result may be distorted.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Invest in high-quality wooden hat blocks for accurate shaping. (A full list of hat block suppliers and their contact details is provided in my course—link below.)
• If you don’t have a block, don’t improvise with round objects, even if they seem smooth and stable. A proper hat block is designed anatomically for head size and shape, ensuring a well-fitted result.
• Secure the material properly with hat pins to ensure the correct size and a perfectly even brim.

 

Mistake #4: Incorrect Use of Steam and Heat

📌 Why is this a problem?
Too much heat or moisture can damage the material, while insufficient steam can make shaping difficult.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Use a steam iron or professional steamer to soften the material before shaping. (I recommend the Tefal Turbo FV5697E1 3000W iron.)
• Avoid high temperatures, which can burn or deform the fabric.
• Always place a cotton cloth between the iron and the felt to prevent sticking, dirt, or burns.
• Test on a small piece of material before applying steam to the entire hat.

 

Mistake #5: Poor Finishing or Incorrect Attachment of Accessories

📌 Why is this a problem?
A poorly finished hat may look cheap or unpolished. Using the wrong glue can damage the material or leave visible stains.

✅ How to avoid it:

• Whenever possible, use suitable needles and thread instead of glue.
• If using glue, choose a clear fabric glue that won’t leave marks.
• Secure every accessory (ribbons, veils, feathers) properly to prevent them from falling off.

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

Now that you know the most common mistakes and how to avoid them, you’re ready to create stunning hats! If you want to learn step-by-step, from scratch, how to make felt hats, summer hats, and fascinators, I invite you to explore my full course.

📌 Sign up now and master the art of handmade hat making!
👉 https://oanca-fashion-school.teachable.com/