Wolfbrae Custom Hatters

[belfastboy]

@belfastboy Love the color! Do you pounce the felt before or after dying?

This was a 95gr 100% beaver felt that comes from the factory with a 1200 level pouncing so none is required. I just give it a polishing with a non abrasive 3M white pad.

 

[belfastboy]

I buy from Tim at PureBeaverHatSupply. I hate the FEPSA online store, hard to navigate. FEPSA will not sell the small hatter directly other than through the online store. Their minimum order quantity is huge.


Yeah, I need to agree, I love the unevenness, but I also tend to go more into the bohemian style instead of the crisp clean look, and this meshes.

Might need to try to do a dye job myself...

If you don't mind me asking, do you source directly from FEPSA or do you go through a reseller? (I'm thinking about doing my first order with them, also wondering if contacting them directly opens up what is available)

 

[thekiyote]

I buy from Tim at PureBeaverHatSupply. I hate the FEPSA online store, hard to navigate. FEPSA will not sell the small hatter directly other than through the online store. Their minimum order quantity is huge.


Yeah, I need to agree, I love the unevenness, but I also tend to go more into the bohemian style instead of the crisp clean look, and this meshes.

Oh yeah, Tim is great. I've worked with him to get some good grosgrain and other supplies. The fact that he's getting his supply from FEPSA is probably a good reason why his prices seem to be a bit higher than some other places, but if that's the case, it might be worth it.

I did place an order for a few 90g seconds from FEPSA this morning. I want to try my hand at doing some roll-ups, and figured they were priced right, even with shipping.

Also, since I got you here, I just wanted to thank you for your video class. It was priceless in figuring out how to start making hats!

 

[belfastboy]

Oh yeah, Tim is great. I've worked with him to get some good grosgrain and other supplies. The fact that he's getting his supply from FEPSA is probably a good reason why his prices seem to be a bit higher than some other places, but if that's the case, it might be worth it.

I did place an order for a few 90g seconds from FEPSA this morning. I want to try my hand at doing some roll-ups, and figured they were priced right, even with shipping.

Also, since I got you here, I just wanted to thank you for your video class. It was priceless in figuring out how to start making hats!

You are welcome. If any questions arise feel free to use the email included with the video. Also, I write a monthly column in HaTalk eMagazine. Each month since Oct 2023 I have written on hat making instruction....in order. It cover items not included in the video. Subscriptions are $5 per month and all back issues are archived.

Oh yeah, Tim is great. I've worked with him to get some good grosgrain and other supplies. The fact that he's getting his supply from FEPSA is probably a good reason why his prices seem to be a bit higher than some other places, but if that's the case, it might be worth it.

I did place an order for a few 90g seconds from FEPSA this morning. I want to try my hand at doing some roll-ups, and figured they were priced right, even with shipping.

Also, since I got you here, I just wanted to thank you for your video class. It was priceless in figuring out how to start making hats!

 

[belfastboy]

Oh yeah, Tim is great. I've worked with him to get some good grosgrain and other supplies. The fact that he's getting his supply from FEPSA is probably a good reason why his prices seem to be a bit higher than some other places, but if that's the case, it might be worth it.

I did place an order for a few 90g seconds from FEPSA this morning. I want to try my hand at doing some roll-ups, and figured they were priced right, even with shipping.

Also, since I got you here, I just wanted to thank you for your video class. It was priceless in figuring out how to start making hats!

FEPSA felts are the best quality. For the factory finished ones you pay a premium but you save a lot of time not having to pounce them. It is a tradeoff. I also like the Husst felts from Millinery Warehouse.

 

[belfastboy]

I have the

Yeah, I need to agree, I love the unevenness, but I also tend to go more into the bohemian style instead of the crisp clean look, and this meshes.

Might need to try to do a dye job myself...

If you don't mind me asking, do you source directly from FEPSA or do you go through a reseller? (I'm thinking about doing my first order with them, also wondering if contacting them directly opens up what is available)

I have the outline of a comprehensive article covering what I have learned about felt dyeing over the years. It will be published sometime this autumn or winter in HaTalk eMag

 

[thekiyote]

FEPSA felts are the best quality. For the factory finished ones you pay a premium but you save a lot of time not having to pounce them. It is a tradeoff. I also like the Husst felts from Millinery Warehouse.

Yeah, I've picked up a number of felts from there as well (I think it's where I've gotten like 90% of the felts I've purchased so far, tbh, mostly from the mystery packs).

I have the

I have the outline of a comprehensive article covering what I have learned about felt dyeing over the years. It will be published sometime this autumn or winter in HaTalk eMag

Consider me sold! I've seen site before, but it looked like mostly a milliner's magazine, so I hadn't subscribed, but I think I will now.

 

[Darrell2688]

Yeah, I need to agree, I love the unevenness, but I also tend to go more into the bohemian style instead of the crisp clean look, and this meshes.

Might need to try to do a dye job myself...

If you don't mind me asking, do you source directly from FEPSA or do you go through a reseller? (I'm thinking about doing my first order with them, also wondering if contacting them directly opens up what is available)

You can buy directly from FEPSA, if you pay in US then you will have to convert over to Euros. FEPSA will sell directly to you, the price for a 100% pure beaver might give you a shock, they have the colors displayed on their website. They sell some blended felts in wool & rabbit, so be sure to read everything. Right now they are having a sale, free shipping that should knock off a couple hundred dollars,

 

[thekiyote]

You can buy directly from FEPSA, if you pay in US then you will have to convert over to Euros. FEPSA will sell directly to you, the price for a 100% pure beaver might give you a shock, they have the colors displayed on their website. They sell some blended felts in wool & rabbit, so be sure to read everything. Right now they are having a sale, free shipping that should knock off a couple hundred dollars,

What?! Free shipping?1. I just paid $100 for a 4-body order this morning! (seriously, I wonder if that was a promo they sent via email or if it is only for 1sts or something).

 

[Darrell2688]

I received it in a email telling me about the sale they were having. My work area is small and I am out of room right now for storage of felts. The sale looked good, but I had to walk away from that sales ad. I just checked, the free shipping was for purchases over 300 Euros, the sales ad covered July 26th through July 29. It is 7:30 PM right now over there, I guess if you place an order for over the 300 Euros they may honer the sales ad offer. Nothing was mentioned about first or seconds.

 

[thekiyote]

I received it in a email telling me about the sale they were having. My work area is small and I am out of room right now for storage of felts. The sale looked good, but I had to walk away from that sales ad. I just checked, the free shipping was for purchases over 300 Euros, the sales ad covered July 26th through July 29. It is 7:30 PM right now over there, I guess if you place an order for over the 300 Euros they may owner the sales ad. Nothing was mentioned about first or seconds.

Ah, that's it. I was under 300 Euros (I picked up 4x of 90g 100x beaver 2nds, so only like $200). Had I known, I might have thrown a few more things into the cart, but I'll live with it xD

 

[Darrell2688]

How do the seconds turn out for you?
What types of problems do you have with the seconds?
I noticed that they have Mystery boxes and right now you can get 15 fur felts in a box for $297.00, throw in 1 first in rabbit and you're over the 300. mark, but you would have to do that right now.

 

[thekiyote]

I haven't ordered any from FEPSA directly, but I have from a few resellers and they turn out pretty well. I may have just gotten lucky, but the issues seem to be very minor, a lot of them disappear after steaming. I've only had one hat that was, ooh, that was a struggle to work with.

That mystery box is tempting, but I need to hold up a bit on more felts. The boxes in our dining room is starting to get a bit out of hand xD (The 90gs were just me REALLY wanting to try my hand at doing a rollable)

 

[ruvort]

You are welcome. If any questions arise feel free to use the email included with the video. Also, I write a monthly column in HaTalk eMagazine. Each month since Oct 2023 I have written on hat making instruction....in order. It cover items not included in the video. Subscriptions are $5 per month and all back issues are archived.

Where can I find your instructional video(s)?

 

[belfastboy]

Where can I find your instructional video(s)?

It is sold through Hatcourses.com

 

[belfastboy]

You can buy directly from FEPSA, if you pay in US then you will have to convert over to Euros. FEPSA will sell directly to you, the price for a 100% pure beaver might give you a shock, they have the colors displayed on their website. They sell some blended felts in wool & rabbit, so be sure to read everything. Right now they are having a sale, free shipping that should knock off a couple hundred dollars,

Yes, one can buy direct from FEPSA at retail pricing. But only what is shown on the webpage.

 

[belfastboy]

I thought I was complete with my Panama straw builds for this year but here is one more. A Grade 2 straw, with a layered vintage grosgrain ribbon treatment. Burgundy as the base layer, a narrower black as overly. I place a burgundy stripe in the keeper to tie it together. I love it when a customer requests something special and I can deliver.

 

[EL-Jimenez74]

I thought I was complete with my Panama straw builds for this year but here is one more. A Grade 2 straw, with a layered vintage grosgrain ribbon treatment. Burgundy as the base layer, a narrower black as overly. I place a burgundy stripe in the keeper to tie it together. I love it when a customer requests something special and I can deliver. View attachment 800812 View attachment 800813 View attachment 800814

The two colors on this hat ribbon are awesome! I love seeing a third color introduced, especially in the bowkeeper.

 

[Judgmentalist]

I thought I was complete with my Panama straw builds for this year but here is one more. A Grade 2 straw, with a layered vintage grosgrain ribbon treatment. Burgundy as the base layer, a narrower black as overly. I place a burgundy stripe in the keeper to tie it together. I love it when a customer requests something special and I can deliver. View attachment 800812 View attachment 800813 View attachment 800814

I am personally offended that you haven’t made me one of these. This is very cool.

 

[belfastboy]

I am personally offended that you haven’t made me one of these. This is very cool.

I love it when clients come to me with an idea and a question: "Can you do this?" they ask. I invariably just say yes and then figure out how!!!