180gr wool felt capeline hat body - Cherry Red

An essential base material for hat making, this capeline hat body is an unstiffened piece, directly resulting from the felting of the wool. It comes in a conical shape with a raw flat brim, ready to be shaped. Made exclusively of pure sheep's wool, it offers excellent felting density (180 grams) ensuring good hold after blocking and stiffening. This item is intended for professionals, millinery students and artisan hatters requiring a quality base for creating wide-brimmed hats.

Instructions for Use

• Preparation (Blocking): The felt must be generously moistened with steam or by light soaking before any handling. The use of a stable steam source is recommended to soften the fibres and facilitate the shrinkage (controlled shrinking) necessary for shaping on a block.

• Blocking: The capeline hat body is designed to be shaped on wooden blocks or specialised supports. Stretch the felt over the block to obtain the desired crown and brim. Firmly fix with blocking pins, cords and strings.

• Stiffener: the application of a liquid stiffener is necessary to give the felt the desired final rigidity, as this base is supplied without initial treatment. Choose a stiffener suited to the desired level of firmness (e.g.: permafix 50 or gum arabic).

• Cutting: The brim of the capeline hat body (currently 8-10 cm) can be cut to the desired final dimension and bound or hemmed according to the style of hat envisaged.

Additional Information

• Composition: 100% Sheep's wool felt. Unstiffened

• Protection: Wool is sensitive to moth larvae (Tineidae). Protection with cedar or moth repellent is imperative during prolonged storage.

• Sale: Item sold per unit.

• Storage: Store the felt flat or rolled without excessive tension, away from direct light, humidity and dust to preserve its colour and fibres.

• Colour Precision: The indicated shade is Cherry Red. Slight variations in dye batch are possible between different deliveries.

Technical Specifications

• Material: Virgin Wool Felt (100% Ovis Aries).

• Weight: Approximately 180 grams.

• Colour: Cherry Red.

• Approximate Dimensions (raw, unshaped state):

  • Total diameter of the capeline hat body: 41 to 43 cm.

  • Maximum height of raw crown: 14 cm.

  • Minimum brim width (raw): 8 to 10 cm.

  • Head opening circumference (raw): 62 cm.

Felt Care Instructions

The following advice applies once the felt is transformed into a hat or to the base if handled:

• Brushing: Use a clean, soft brush. Always brush the felt in the same direction to maintain the uniform appearance of the surface.

• Dryness: In case of humidity (water or steam), let the felt dry naturally in open air at room temperature. Avoid any artificial source of heat (radiator, hair dryer, etc.) to prevent shrinkage or deformation.

• Cleaning: Light stains can be treated locally with a clean, very lightly moistened cloth, without rubbing abrasively.

Additional Note

The photographs of the product are provided for information only and are not contractual. The shade and visual appearance may vary slightly depending on the dye batch and screen settings. This item is sold per unit.